TechKnowGN

Ok, let's get this out of the way... Yes, I should dump the shifters for something new. But right now, I don't think I can afford new parts, have other priorities (getting married in 2 weeks), and I need to get a few more weeks (literally) out of these parts before I can start exploring alternatives.

I have a 2008 Fuji Absolute 4.0. I am in the middle of replacing the riser bar and stem with a flat bar and stem that will accomodate clip on aero bars. I have the new stem and bar in place, and the old bar almost completely removed from the bike. Except for the left gripshift and break.

The tiny little allen bolt (it takes the second smallest wrench on my bare bones mini tool) that tightens the clamp for the gripshift is stripped!! I can't remove it from the bar. Is there anything I can do?

Please help, I don't want to take this to the bike shop. I've gotten this far on my own, theres got to be SOME way to get this bolt to unscrew, and I can replace the bolt at the shop without paying for help removing it.

top506

I have three of these in the shop with stripped bolts. I suspect I'll end up drilling them out and re-tapping the holes 3mm. If anyone knows of an easy-out that small I'd like to hear about it.
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Bianchigirll 

Hello as the previous responder indicated you may be out of luck with that shifter. if you are doing alot of repair and 'remodeling' work I would suggest some better quality tools. those 'mini' and folding tools are meant to get you moving on the road. a decent set of allen wrenches can be gotten for about 10 or 15$. also when reassembling lots of grease on the threads

TechKnowGN

I have a full set of allen wrenches, but it's hard to get the right reach with the ones I have I need them with longer and shorter arms.

I wound up replacing the grip shifts and brakes with inexpensive components that will get me through the end of the season. I'll be asking for a 9 speed cassette and better components for christmas.

Bikemech12

As you know there are 2 different sets of allen keys. They are only slightly off from each other. And Torx keys. It's amazing that slight differences in the two sets can be the difference between removing and stripping the bolt. Metric and imperial hex keys are DIFFERENT. It's overwhelming how many home mechs come to me for help and i turn them down or charge way more than if they didnt touch the bike at all. Most of the time diy mechanics ruin the bike more than fix it. That leads to double the work for me, and sometimes if the diy mechanic acts like a wiseass when I tell him that he did alot of damage to the bike I tell him to take it elsewhere. Cutting corners can be rewarding if you're trying to learn, but to get the job done 9/10 times you will fail. Every mistake that you've made has been made by me in the beginning of my career. I'm way past small mistakes. And people pay me not for my 1 hour of work, but for they 15+ years expirience. Sorry bud, take the shifter and drill through it, or take it to a shop. You can pay for a basic new shifter and the work of someone that actually knows what they are doing. And in the future go out to some bike cooperative and volunteer if you want to learn anything. It may take weeks, months, but eventually you'll at least know how to fix your bike. Ps. Dont drill through it yourself, you'll probably fu*k it up further with the wrong drill bits. Good luck.

Mad Honk 

All I can say is: Wow! As a teacher and mechanic I have not had this response ever. But what do I know... Smiles, MH

JanMM

TechKnowGN and top506 posted in 2009.
Zombie Thread Alert!

Mad Honk 

Yeah,
If this were current I would recommend a left handed drill bit which would remove the set screw, with little difficulty. Smiles, MH