How to Fix a Shift Lever

Fixing a shift lever on a bike handle is a job that needs to be done when the shift lever is damaged or worn out. The shift lever is attached to the bike handle with a clamp and can be fixed in about an hour with some basic tools. The shift lever cable is attached to the lever with a barrel clip that holds the cable onto the lever.

Things You'll Need

  • Nut driver
  • Needle-nose pliers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the grip from the bike handle by turning it back and forth until the handle slides off. Locate the hex bolt on the shift lever clamp and loosen the bolt with a nut driver.

    • 2

      Take the shift lever off the bike handle and remove the cap from the end of the shift mechanism. Rotate the disk inside the shift mechanism and pull the cable through the front end of the mechanism.

    • 3

      Remove the barrel clip from the end of the cable with a pair of needle-nose pliers by pinching the barrel until it can be taken off the cable. Slide the cable out of the end of the shift lever mechanism and remove the shift mechanism from the handle.

    • 4

      Discard the old shift mechanism and slide the cable through the end of the new shift mechanism. Push the cable all the way through the mechanism so the end comes out the other side of the mechanism and fasten a barrel retainer to the end of the cable with the needle-nose pliers.

    • 5

      Pull the cable back inside the shift mechanism and place the cap on the end of the mechanism. Attach the new shift mechanism to the bike handle with the shift clamp by securing the hex bolt on the clamp and tightening it with the nut driver.

    • 6

      Slide the new handle grip onto the bike handle to complete the shift lever repair.