How to Remove Shifters for Drop Bars

A design of bicycle handlebar, drop bars feature a pair of bends, or "drops", that allow the cyclist to maintain a crouching position while riding. These handlebars are fitted with a pair of shifters, which control braking and shifting functions for the bicycle. Each shifter has a clamp on its underside that secures the shifter to the handlebar. A single bolt allows for the tightening or loosening of this clamp. Removing the shifters is necessary if swapping one handlebar for another or if servicing the shifters' internal parts.

Things You'll Need

  • 5mm Allen wrench
  • Torx T-30 wrench (as needed)
  • Bicycle cable cutters
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the plugs from the each end of the drop bar. The plugs help secure the handlebar tape to the drop bar.

    • 2

      Unwrap the tape from each side of the handlebar and discard.

    • 3

      Operate both shifters to give their shift cables maximum slack. For the right side shifter, achieve maximum cable slack by shifting into the highest gear. For the left side shifter, achieve maximum cable slack by shifting into the lowest gear.

    • 4

      Trace each shift cable from its shifter to its derailleur. The derailleur is the mechanism at the other end of the cable. This mechanism is responsible for transferring the chain between gears.

    • 5

      Use cable cutters to remove the cap at the derailleur end of each cable.

    • 6

      Note the bolt that secures each cable to its derailleur. Using a 5 mm Allen wrench, loosen this bolt, and separate the cable from the derailleur.

    • 7

      Trace the brake cable from the shifter to its brake. Each shifter has a brake cable that goes to either the front or rear brake.

    • 8

      Use cable cutters to remove the cap on the brake end of each cable.

    • 9

      Note the bolt that secures each cable to its brake. Using a 5 mm Allen wrench, loosen this bolt, and separate the cable from the brake.

    • 10

      Position yourself in front of the shifters, on the drop bar. Note the rubber hood atop each shifter. Fold these rubber hoods back onto the shifters.

    • 11

      Note the cable heads beneath the rubber hoods. If you do not see them here, squeeze the shifter lever to expose the heads. Depending on the design and brand shifter, the cable heads can be found in one of these two areas.

    • 12

      Push the brake and shifter cables up into the shifter to force their heads out of the shifter. Grab the heads and pull the cables from the shifter.

    • 13

      Note the clamp bolt head beneath the rubber hood of either shifter. The bolt should be visible now that the rubber hood has been folded back.

    • 14

      Use the proper tool and turn the bolt counterclockwise to loosen the clamp. For Shimano and Sram, use a 5 mm Allen wrench. For Campagnolo, use a Torx T-30 wrench.

    • 15

      Slide the shifter off the end of the handlebar. Do the same for the second shifter.