Repair guides › Cockpit
Position grips, levers and shifter
Straight bar for upright control, like a mountain bike. Holds grips, shifter and brake levers. Clamp diameter (25.4 or 31.8 mm) must match the stem. Width and backsweep change comfort. You can cut a bar narrower; you cannot make it wider.
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Tools
- Ball-end hex key set (1.5–10 mm): Park Tool HXS-1.2 Professional L-Shaped Hex Set ($$)
- 1/4" click torque wrench (about 2–17 Nm) + bits: Pro Bike Tool 1/4 inch drive click torque wrench set (2.2–16.9 Nm) ($$)
- Preset 5 Nm torque key: Prestacycle Pro TorqKeys 5 Nm T-handle ($$)
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Steps
- Sit on the bike in riding position with hands on the grips.
- Loosen brake lever clamps. Rotate levers so your wrist is straight when your fingers reach the lever: usually 30–45° below horizontal.
- Slide levers in so your index finger lands on the end of the lever blade (one-finger braking).
- Set reach adjust screws (if any) so the lever is reachable without stretching.
- Position the shifter so you can push the thumb lever without moving your hand off the grip.
- Torque clamps. Do not over-tighten: a lever that can rotate in a crash is safer than a snapped one.
Torque
| Fastener | Torque |
|---|---|
| Brake lever clamp | per the lever marking: many mechanical levers 6–8 Nm, SRAM hydraulic 5.5 Nm; never above the bar maker's limit (carbon often 5 Nm) |
| Shifter clamp | 2.5–3 Nm (check the shifter marking) |
Signs it needs doing
- Wrist numbness (try sweep or ergonomic grips)
- Creak in the stem clamp