The easiest way would be to use a strong alkali like drain cleaner to completely eat away the handlebars. Then carefully remove the inner cables from the still-standing bar tape assembly. When finished, use a 3D printer to replace the bars.Any easy way of replacing outer cable without stripping bar tape off drops ?
The best ideas are always the simple ones.The easiest way would be to use a strong alkali like drain cleaner to completely eat away the handlebars. Then carefully remove the inner cables from the still-standing bar tape assembly. When finished, use a 3D printer to replace the bars.
Why didn't I think of that in the first place ?The easiest way would be to use a strong alkali like drain cleaner to completely eat away the handlebars. Then carefully remove the inner cables from the still-standing bar tape assembly. When finished, use a 3D printer to replace the bars.
Because the best ideas are not always the most obvious.Why didn't I think of that in the first place ?
Why didn't I think of that in the first place ?
You don't strictly need to replace the bar tape every time if you're just accessing the gear cables. Unravel the tape from the centre of the handlebars up to the STI levers and leave the ends hanging while you do the work, then wind it back over the bars and finish off with black tape to secure the end of the bar tape. The bar tape may look scruffier over time but you can get away with reusing it several times in this way. Did mine just the other day.Don't be put off replacing the bar tape, once you've done it a couple of times it is very quick and takes less time than replacing the cables which ends up being a bit more fiddly.
Did exactly this today. Cheers for thatYou don't strictly need to replace the bar tape every time if you're just accessing the gear cables. Unravel the tape from the centre of the handlebars up to the STI levers and leave the ends hanging while you do the work, then wind it back over the bars and finish off with black tape to secure the end of the bar tape. The bar tape may look scruffier over time but you can get away with reusing it several times in this way. Did mine just the other day.