removing brifters

Question
Hi Tad ...... haven't 'spoken' with you for awhile. It's funny how I see 'things' out there and how when I rode in the Los Gatos Bicycle Club so many years ago, I would ask my riding 'buddies' the questions I'm asking you. No riding buddies right now due to my isolation. I suppose if the weather turned (snowed last night again) and was able to ride outdoors I'd find some. I imagine your list of questions from riders is getting longer too so I'll get at it here.

My riding position, which I'm very very fussy about is not ideal so I've removed handlebars and stems, getting an extension for the track bike etc. I'm close to 'ideal' with that now. I now have to do the same  with my road bike as I'm too stretched out and I'm changing the bars and therefore the reach...ie I have short arms (more evolved I like to think of myself :) ....but i haven't taken the tape off yet let alone to expose the  'brifters' which are shimano dura ace. But before i get that far, going with your expertise, is there any special tool needed or anything in that process that is NOT user friendly before I get started.  I DO remember doing  such with campy brakes and getting the 'wrench' in beside the cable to undo the nut holding the unit to the bars...what a pain. So....?  thanks for your help. Jim

Answer
Jim,

Sorry it took a bit to get back to you, I read your message right before a ride and then when I got back I was done in.

I think I understand what you want to do in that you want to install a shorter stem.

On most DA levers you access the clamp bolt by the front of the lever. Undo the cable from the brake so there is no resistance on the lever, squeeze the lever down and you will see a bolt towards the top of the lever (inside). I think it is a 6mm wrench but it might be a 5mm. Undo that until the lever is loose and can freely travel the bar. Don't back off too far or you will have to re-install the clamp which isn't hard but an added step.

You might want to install an "open face" stem - one where the face plate of the stem is easily removed thus facilitating easy stem swaps. Not like the old days when you had to thread bars through the stem and hope that you do get caught on the bend and gouge the bars too bad. Or get distracted and mount the stem backwards! (not that I have ever done that!)

Good luck! Spring is right around the corner!

Tad