Anyone done such a thing before? Is a saw the best tool for that? I also don’t want to scratch up the brake lever in the process. And yes, any replacement shifter would have to be clamp on (not sliding on, as of course I would then have to remove the handlebar tape). I am fine with destroying the shifter. Maybe I shouldn’t be so concerned about re-wrapping the bartape but it looks great and I can’t imagine it sticking/holding as well after a re-wrap.
Thoughts?
Thanks 🙂
mobtownie11 on
Just re-tape, it’s super easy relative to cutting off a shifter. Additionally you’ll be very limited in your shifter selection if you’re looking for a non-traditional one with a hinge
SunshineInDetroit on
well for one the brake lever is mounted upside down. it doesn’t matter much but that’s kind of annoying to see.
most shifters are slide on. The only one offhand i know that makes clamping shifting brackets are paul thumbies
if you need to remove the shifter, then dremel the clamp off carefully.
tegularius_the_elder on
I guess you could try a Dremel or similar to cut the clamp off. You will almost certainly damage the bar tape and possibly your bars.
But really, there’s no good reason to ruin a perfectly good part to avoid the 10 minutes it might take to re-wrap the grip. If you pull nice and tight and even you’ll be fine.
Even nice bar tape is not crazy expensive. If it’s leather, then it may not even have an adhesive backing. Just get it softened with some water, gently stretch as you wrap, them it will tighten as it dries.
Wrapping bars is a good skill to have, especially if you are experimenting with your cockpit and swapping parts on/off. It’s not hard and a little bit of practice makes it fun.
inkynipple on
You should re-wrap it!
Most tape wears out / is meant to be replaced after you sweat into it a bunch. It gets gross af after some time so you’re doing yourself a favor.
Lock on grips are easier to install if you don’t want to use bar tape.
owlpellet on
Dremels are low key terrifying. I”d gladly pay $10 to replace the wraps instead of doing dodgy things with a tool that can vaporize a fingertip.
Wrap technique is a worthy skill. Watch some youtube, become powerful.
AnyBarnacle9287 on
Ok thanks all! Will re wrap 🙂
Kruk01 on
You don’t. You have to remove the wrap unless you are willing to cut the ring holding the shifter on.
tdk6292 on
You could cut the handlebar off and slide the lever off the newly exposed side.
9 Comments
Anyone done such a thing before? Is a saw the best tool for that? I also don’t want to scratch up the brake lever in the process. And yes, any replacement shifter would have to be clamp on (not sliding on, as of course I would then have to remove the handlebar tape). I am fine with destroying the shifter. Maybe I shouldn’t be so concerned about re-wrapping the bartape but it looks great and I can’t imagine it sticking/holding as well after a re-wrap.
Thoughts?
Thanks 🙂
Just re-tape, it’s super easy relative to cutting off a shifter. Additionally you’ll be very limited in your shifter selection if you’re looking for a non-traditional one with a hinge
well for one the brake lever is mounted upside down. it doesn’t matter much but that’s kind of annoying to see.
most shifters are slide on. The only one offhand i know that makes clamping shifting brackets are paul thumbies
if you need to remove the shifter, then dremel the clamp off carefully.
I guess you could try a Dremel or similar to cut the clamp off. You will almost certainly damage the bar tape and possibly your bars.
But really, there’s no good reason to ruin a perfectly good part to avoid the 10 minutes it might take to re-wrap the grip. If you pull nice and tight and even you’ll be fine.
Even nice bar tape is not crazy expensive. If it’s leather, then it may not even have an adhesive backing. Just get it softened with some water, gently stretch as you wrap, them it will tighten as it dries.
Wrapping bars is a good skill to have, especially if you are experimenting with your cockpit and swapping parts on/off. It’s not hard and a little bit of practice makes it fun.
You should re-wrap it!
Most tape wears out / is meant to be replaced after you sweat into it a bunch. It gets gross af after some time so you’re doing yourself a favor.
Lock on grips are easier to install if you don’t want to use bar tape.
Dremels are low key terrifying. I”d gladly pay $10 to replace the wraps instead of doing dodgy things with a tool that can vaporize a fingertip.
Wrap technique is a worthy skill. Watch some youtube, become powerful.
Ok thanks all! Will re wrap 🙂
You don’t. You have to remove the wrap unless you are willing to cut the ring holding the shifter on.
You could cut the handlebar off and slide the lever off the newly exposed side.