Mounting shifters

gloomyandy
Posts: 520
Hi,
I have a couple of questions about the best way to do this...
1. On a Carbon bar do I need to worry about how tightly I clamp the shifter mounting bolt? I know most bars will have a torque limit for the main clamp. But what about the shifters can you over do things when mounting them? Not sure there is any easy way to measure the clamping force on the bar as I assume this will depend upon how the clamp actually works, what thread is being used etc... Do I need to use carbon paste when mounting the shifter?
2. Does anyone have a good way of ensuring that both shifters are mounted at the same angle and position on the bar other then by eye? The bars I'm getting don't seem to have any sort of grid or alignment markings on them and I seem to be rubbish at doing this just by eye!
Thanks
Andy
I have a couple of questions about the best way to do this...
1. On a Carbon bar do I need to worry about how tightly I clamp the shifter mounting bolt? I know most bars will have a torque limit for the main clamp. But what about the shifters can you over do things when mounting them? Not sure there is any easy way to measure the clamping force on the bar as I assume this will depend upon how the clamp actually works, what thread is being used etc... Do I need to use carbon paste when mounting the shifter?
2. Does anyone have a good way of ensuring that both shifters are mounted at the same angle and position on the bar other then by eye? The bars I'm getting don't seem to have any sort of grid or alignment markings on them and I seem to be rubbish at doing this just by eye!
Thanks
Andy
0
Comments
-
I normally tighten them up to the point where I cannot move them sideways without using considerable force. This will ensure they stay in place. In the event you fall off, they will bend sideways, this way getting scratched, rather than broken.
Alignment by eye, I don't think there is a better method... you can see the misalignment easier from the side rather than the front. I normally place the tip of the brake lever at the same level as the base of the drops for Campagnolo Ergosleft the forum March 20230 -
Due to the fact I learned my spannering skills on 80's BMX's (and subsequently think every bolt should be tightened until it squeels
) I always refer to the torque guidance in the instructions and use a torque wrench. The actual value the wrench hits is unlikely to be massivly accurate but it should be consistent and there or thereabouts is you have a reasonable quality torque wrench.
As for positioning;
To get the hight consistent, get the bars level buy placing a spirit level across the bottom of the drop section and level. The bike will need to be in a workstand/turbo trainer for this. Then you can get the levers level by placing the spirit level across the hoods.
To get the angle consistent, hold a staight edge/spirit level against the tip of the drops and the lever clamp. This then gives you a reference point to mesure to a section of the lever body.
To be honest i mainly do it by eye :roll:Coach H. (Dont ask me for training advice - 'It's not about the bike')0