Bicycle Mechanics - Help! stuck bar-end shifters

I'd really like to avoid taking this to the shop, so here goes.

The bar-end shifter evidently has a wedge like a quill stem, that holds it in place. There's a 6mm bolt that tightens it against the inner bar. Mine's stuck.

I've removed the bar completely and I've got it in a bolted-down vice. I've disassembled the shifter to expose the inner bolt, but I can not turn that bolt, even leaning into it. I'm a little concerned about stripping the bolt head (rounding it with the hex wrench), but I'm also wondering if I'm doing something wrong. I've tried both directions just in case it's reverse threaded for some odd reason. I've also soaked the shifter it in liquid wrench also, as well as I could.

Like I said - help!

You have to turn the screw CLOCKWISE to remove. Other than that, not too sure what to tell you, but good luck!

I'd really like to avoid taking this to the shop, so here goes.

The bar-end shifter evidently has a wedge like a quill stem, that holds it in place. There's a 6mm bolt that tightens it against the inner bar. Mine's stuck.

I've removed the bar completely and I've got it in a bolted-down vice. I've disassembled the shifter to expose the inner bolt, but I can not turn that bolt, even leaning into it. I'm a little concerned about stripping the bolt head (rounding it with the hex wrench), but I'm also wondering if I'm doing something wrong. I've tried both directions just in case it's reverse threaded for some odd reason. I've also soaked the shifter it in liquid wrench also, as well as I could.

Like I said - help!

Try a couple different hex wrenches in it and find the one that's tightest. Then, turn it clockwise (like Auntie Team said) with as much force as you can muster.

There's a fair amount of aluminum-on-aluminum contact in there. If they weren't properly lubricated in the first place, things may have corroded together. You may have to cut the bars apart to salvage the shifter.

If you destroy the mount inside the handlebar, I think you can replace them with the Silver bar-end mounts from Rivendell: http://www.rivbike.com/products/list/shifters_and_derailers#product=17-068 . Remember to grease them well, and don't tighten too tight!

The bar-end shifter evidently has a wedge like a quill stem ...

the difference being that with a quill stem your clamping function is reversed. Driving the screw inward (clockwise rotation) INCREASES the clamping function (pulls the wedge outward expanding the clamp).

With the shifter, driving the screw inward (clockwise) DECREASES the clamping function (decompresses the wedges).

Both are right handed threads but the functions are reversed.

That's a whole lot of words to say the same thing that was already said ... turn it clockwise to loosen.

Never got back to your guys. I was successful. The advice really helped, especially knowing which way to turn! Here's the shifters on my new Midge bar. Can't see the shifters too well, but this is the best pic of the bars, which are a total kick!


http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c190/sunburststrat/bikes/treks5vmidge.jpg

Hey - that looks like a Multi-Track 790 circa 1990. I have one of those. Last year it became my winter bike, so its days are numbered.

Hey - that looks like a Multi-Track 790 circa 1990. I have one of those. Last year it became my winter bike, so its days are numbered.

Yes, it is. A recent craigslist find for me. I'm curious what size tires you put on yours. Mine came with skinny rims (13mm interior width), so I stopped at 700x28m. I really wanted something bigger, which is why I bought a bike with cantilevers. The bike has worked out pretty well though. I think I need a little taller stem for the midge bars.