Cannondale downtube shifter boss removal
 

I was considering removing the downtube shifter bosses from a Cannondale ST400. I don't know how they are attached or what is left when they are removed. Has anyone ever done this?

Usually there'll be two small posts with a threaded hole for the shifter bolt, with flats on it.

You can unscrew them if they're not glued in real tight; there's a bit of threaded rod between them, and they should be what's retaining any boss around the post, but these may be stuck on with paint or glue.

You'll be left with a ~6-7mm hole each side. You should probably put the bits somewhere safe in case you want to run gears again at some point or sell the frame.

If you'd rather not take them off or if you have difficulty doing so you can put these nice-looking covers on them: http://problemsolversbike.com/produc...er_boss_covers

Thanks, seen these. I really was hoping to have them disappear.

Thank you Kimmo. This is what I had hoped. I'll put an appropriately sized stainless button head bolt or a sex bolt in the holes and Bob's Your Uncle. (nobody gets that around NY).

holes in the frame .. take the cover suggestion or just ignore them being there (easiest )

.. this a Fixie Kludge ?

I'd be tempted to bung in some M5 rivnuts to hold the button-head bolts.

That leaves the door open for a pretty slick way to add cable stops down the road.

Me likee.

I think the PS covers could be marginally less attractive than the bosses themselves. They are like a band aid on a zit – with logos. I may not mind the holes, though. Thee are already 8 holes across the top tube where the cable guides were. Minimalist drillium?

Fixie or single speed, yes. Hopefully the aesthetics will transcend the kludge level. The frame is raw aluminum and I have an aluminum aero fork which may go on. I'm considering a White Eno concentric hub or a VeloSteel coaster brake hub. I can use a half link, too. Sheldon Brown had a trick where he filed flats on the axle to give more adjustment room or just cut the axle flush and used the skewer alone to hold the wheel in. Maybe opening up the dropout would add enough adjustment. Just no chain tensioner.

i am looking for the pieces that you took off. did you keep them

do you know where i can source some of these? i broke one/

There are different types, depending on the year of bike. Once you have 10 posts, you can post pictures.
To get 10 posts you can introduce yourself in the introductions forum, and welcome others.
Perhaps there are other threads on BF you can contribute to.

Once we know which shifter boss you have, we can help get a replacement.

Also, I will close this old thread, and you will get better results starting a new thread with a title appropriate to you.
Something like "Looking for Cannondale Downtube Shifter Boss"