So, here's where I'm at...
Awaiting a new shifter from SJS.
I went for the new shape
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/rohloff-14-speed-handlebar-twistshifter-light-for-speedhub-500-14-wave-design-8206-prod33788/BTW, how do i put that link under a word?
Know what I mean? Everyone apart from me can do it!
The local bike shop here in Aberdeen, confusingly called Edinburgh Bike Shop, had said they could supply it to me - but at £20 more than the SJS one. Nice of them to tell me that and they are quite happy for me to buy it and to fit it.
I have booked the bike in for Thursday. I may have the brake cables renewed since with all the mucking about, they have been damaged.
Here are a few pretty pictures since i haven't been able to get out on the bike.
It all started when I thought I would treat myself to Ergon ends.
I already had a spare Thorn comfort bar.
The foam padding was getting thin on the Humpert ones and although it can be renewed I had heard good reports of the Ergon ends.
Tackling the left hand end first - the bend was a real pig to remove and as expected the right bend was worse.
It would not budge - so i had to saw it off.
I then found that the shifter was 'welded' on. I checked with SJS that it was only fixed with the 2 Allen key grub screws that I had removed.
Then had the bright idea of hammering out the bar end from inside the shifter.
Not a good idea,
a - it didn't work - the shifter is still stuck on the bar
b - I have buggered up the shifter
Looking from the front of the bike.
You can see the end of the bar poking out of the shifter
The bar has been hammered down into the shifter but will not come out completely
Here you can see the damage I have caused, and the shifter wont turn now.
A sorry tale. But may I ask what other folk would have done faced with bars that would not slide out from the shifter?
Also...
When ordering the new shifter from SJS I asked if there would be any problem fitting the old cables.
They said everything was the same apart from the 2 2.5 Allen grub screws having been changed to Torx head bolts.
That's a new one to me, but I looked them up and can see the advantages.
But wonder why change from the Allen screws? I know its not something you take apart every day but surely the Allen are more common than the Torx?
Just a thought.
Fingers crossed for the delivery of the new shifter before Thursday.
Matt