Installing Trigger Shifters/V Brake Levers On Mountain Bike

The shifters/brake levers on a Specialized Hardrock were trashed, so I needed to replace them. I bought some brand new Shimano ST-EF51 integrated shifter/V brake levers. I show the process of installing them in this video. I also replace the cables and cable housings.
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[@RJTheBikeGuy]

For more bike repair videos hit the subscribe button 🛑 and click the notification bell ► bit.ly/SubRJTheBikeGuy

[@LuisGonzalez-fh3vt]

Muy bueno el vídeo Luis gonzalez cordoba argentina

[@beansfrank]

If I want to replace my cantilever brakes with vbrakes which vbrakes could I use ?

[@francescofratini5291]

*I love the **Latest.Bike** . The standard seat that cMe with the bike was incredibly uncomfortable, but a quick seat swap made the bike so much more enjoyable.*

[@toml6135]

Great video! I'm doing this job today on my wife's bike. I am long time mechanic but not a lot of experience on bicycles. Thanks and may God bless you!

[@leonalkanli6102]

I know nothing of building bikes. After a full summer of doing research and watching your videos carefully, I was able to completely rebuild my grandpas old bike! Thank you so much for your videos. They have taught me so much.

[@silentstormstudios]

Just wanted to say thank you for posting this and your other bike how-to videos, as well. I'm restoring a mid-90s mountain bike and, as a novice, your videos are very helpful and giving me the confidence to continue my build.

[@marciooki5820]

8 years ago...2022 now For most of all,it's impossible to afford new bikes with the latest expansive and fancy technology. I'm old fashion guy and even if I could, I'll never change the beauty of cold iron touch,or the sound of the cable sliding through the inner or even the grease in my hands. Thank you for all your videos,help me A LOT!

[@kamaka71]

thanks for taking the time to make this vid. just about to refurbish my 95 rock hopper and this helps a lot!

[@roddyk05]

Have just bought all the parts to upgrade everything on my old TREK - shifters, cables, brake callipers etc. Your video gives a good idea of what awaits me once I start the rebuild process. Thanks.

[@mikehazelton7019]

Excellent video, you present as very competent mechanic and comfortable in your presentation. An easy watch. My student aged son is replacing his shifter/brake control with the EF-51 so this is perfect. Thanks

[@aleon1111]

This video was perfect! I have these exact shifters/brake levers on my MTB and had never had to replace cables on a bike before. I feel confident about doing it myself now.Thank you for taking the time.

[@maxfactor4209]

your channel is the best bike channel period. Great camera angles that help to see what actually is happening and how adjustments can be done. Great explanation. not trying to sell me anything. no corporate behind you. no sponsored content.

[@marcocabral4838]

RJ, greetings from Napa, CA. Thank you for all of your great videos! I never comment at all on anything but thought this is worth a quick comment. You have helped me through countless projects. I love to do all of my own work but not until I started watching your videos did I really feel comfortable embarking on some of them that I would usually head to the shop for. In my opinion you are the best bike teacher on KZbin and I tell my biking buddies about your videos whenever they need something. Keep up the good work and I hope KZbin takes good care of you.

[@majstor23boza]

Nice job. Greetings from Serbia!

[@boonskis]

An old video, but a major help even today! Thanks as I get my old GT set up with new shifters/brakes!

[@amorlibrorum]

Excellent step by step walk thru! Thank you!

[@stratman4908]

so i must say, i have misunderstood derailleur adjustments in the past. books, youtube, etc.. just never got it.. 1st try following your instructions i was 90% there.. prob need a few minor adjustments, but thank you thank you!! never will i bring it to a bike shop again. i put the same shifters on thanks to your video, big thank you!!

[@jahill5563]

Outstanding video. Thank you very much.

[@kevinlee5690]

thanks for the tip. i just replaced my broken shifter with the guide of your video.

[@curtisfuchs7361]

Thanks for posting this, very informative and saved me some money!

[@Crizsehjrimace]

Awesome video! I'm restoring a vintage raleigh I got from a junkshop 😁, now I only need a nice cable pliers/cutters to install these combo shifters

[@marktemple8744]

Thank you RJ, l use your video information all the time!!

[@AlexGZ9]

As always...great video. Thank you!

[@robpeters5204]

Just a tip. When using a bastard file always always always move in one direction. Always go away from your body. Going back and forth will shorten the life of a file dramatically. There is two ways to use the file. Have the file in a stationary position and move the part or have the part stationary and move the file. Something I learned since the early 80’s in machine shop.

[@stevecomeau]

Very nicely done. Learned a lot.

[@terryboyle]

I was looking to switch the brakes so that the front would be on the right and rear on the left (I motorcycle as well and want the right to always be the front) and your video showed me how. Thanks!

[@eildonlodge]

Just what I needed! Thanks very much.

[@oliviergilcreest8088]

I really like that you take a bike no one would want and fix it up. I have a crosstrail (very similar ) and have slowly rebuild it. All with the great info you provide!! Could you do a video about derailleur cage lengths. Keep up the great work!!

[@Herosade]

great videos man, straight forward stuff forgot to thumbs up so came back to do it.

[@T.borTattoo]

Thanks mate, this was really useful!

[@williamenser]

Very informative! Thank you.

[@JamieHaslett1]

Great video, very helpful, thanks.

[@felipeuchida3378]

Man, you speak exacly like Brian Wampler, from Wampler guitar pedals! Same voice, same accent!

[@raulmaldonado7880]

nice job man thanks for the help

[@nevs1098]

Thanks for the help!

[@randallace]

just ordered these shifters , my beefy road bike project will love them .... 8)

[@Trux3d]

great video helped me out today thanks

[@HealthyMango]

we need to chip in together for shoes for this guy

[@MrGichinfunakoshi]

Karate senseis do not need/use shoes!

[@ivan_ninox3120]

🤣

[@JohnMcConnell113]

thanks for the helpful video that was easy.

[@Hansykes94]

I constantly rewatched this video as I'm doing exactly what you are doing and man I really appreciate this video really helped me a lot, the tuning for the rear derailleur is such a pain to do but nonetheless thank you for this very informative video.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Han Sykes With a little practice, it gets pretty easy. The front derailleur is often harder.

[@KarateDo81]

e bine sa-ti faci de lucru, trece timpul mai cu spor

[@mikeellsworth1024]

I have very little experience with these types of upgrades or repairs, you are very easy to listen to n understand, thanks for filling the gaps..kutgw

[@strogauk]

Nice job, thinking of starting to upgrade the groups on my mountain bike so this will come in handy

[@temper383]

great vid. Thanks for the info.

[@duannachristmas2154]

nice work!

[@Pharmatastic]

Thanks RJ

[@san1122222]

Awesome video, probably only one that properly explains installation of EF51. Found these awesome shifters in local utility store here (Biltema) around 15$, my old brand new shifters got destroyed by some moron downtown.. Thans for the guide!

[@stupididiot2199]

Thanks this helped me a lot !

[@The-Painter]

nice job thanks

[@crisgarcia1384]

nice job

[@tomcatt1824]

U do a better"how 2" video than park tool 👍👍👍

[@GabrielAlejandroZorrilla]

amazing, thanks

[@hijriahwan]

makasih bang, tutorial nya, sngat bermanfaat...

[@heyareyoualright59]

hey RJ you helped me man so much good tutorial one question where do you get the brake shifters?

[@glennosullivan8925]

Thank you ,

[@Whisky_Four-Three]

thanks a lot nice vid

[@brianbarajas2948]

Thanks. You have the exact shifter i have and i thought i was missing the barrel adjuster for the right side. But i guess it doesn’t need one

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Front derailleurs don't usually have cable adjusters, but rear derailleurs do.

[@ortiz-hv7jy]

excelent jod thanks.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Doitzey 22 I had to buy them separately.

[@mohaimentawsif]

You are awesome!

[@gamer3928]

i enjoy adjusting shifters. hate adjusting brakes.

[@clarabellea]

good vid

[@christopherbruh]

Yo man im trying to restore my old Velors Dundeerock, yes, i know, pretty old bike, but im gonna get a shimano tourney ST-EF41 shifters and brakes. This is what im gonna follow to install them.

[@averyd9087]

So did the cables that went into the brake levers come with the shifters or did you have to buy those seperate?

[@chrismancakes7335]

I have a shimano v-brake/shifter on my bike but this is the second time I've broke off the covers, covers seem to break easy. I'm wanting to put on a grip shifter. Can I switch them and are they compatible?

[@pahaahv]

Hello RJ. I have Shimano Tourney derailleurs with MicroShift M25 gripshifters. They're a pain to adjust. Would it be reasonable to change these gripshifters with EF51s? Would EF51 work with tourney derailleurs? 3 x 7 gears.

[@ljpagsolingan624]

Thank you :-)

[@fredericocolon224]

nice!

[@ayanmohammed4370]

Hi mate I was just asking can I use My old cable housing!

[@joen3992]

I'd like to see a video of you showing how to replace the cables on Shimano integrated shifter/v-brake combos. Thanks again.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqC2aJlph551qpY

[@Saddletramp1200]

I have an Ancheer ebike power plus. I just found the ST EF51 shifters. I hate the mickey Mouse shifters it came with. Im 65 and been riding 60 years. Been looking months to get rid of the junk shifters. With the Tourney detailer it should rock. Don't let the comments bug ya about the socks. I used to wrench on bikes in my bvd's.

[@ilanmagen]

Beauty

[@fireblade8905]

cool

[@hectorignaciourra872]

Hello, I would like to know please, if it is possible to install them also on a road bike ?, to make a hybrid between road bike and mtb. Thank you very much for all the good advice. Best regards

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKrJn4OslpKqqsk

[@jbvlogs011]

Does V brake lever works with mechanical disk brakes or is it OK to install a shifter/ V brake levers to a mechanical disk brake?

[@davidjamesclarke2355]

Hi I’m in UK Got a 2017 Scott aspect 970 Brake lever won’t budge I can’t even get the cable out of the housing Any ideas

[@kirtimishra7503]

my left shimano shifter is broken so I have to but both or just left shifter?

[@heeby94]

First off....awesome video......can you tell me where you buy your parts.....I just bought an older specialized rockhopper that needs a little work.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

+Terry Heebner ebay or amazon or the local bike shop, etc...

[@colinshum3461]

Hi RJ, how to these replacement compare to the EF51 you also mentioned on other videos?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Just a different display. Same basic shifters.

[@TheAugiedoggie1]

I have watched several of your videos that have helped me immensely. Because of that I would like to give back to you some of my knowledge from working in a machine shop years ago. In this video one end of the handle bar is mushroomed and you use a file to smooth it out. So far so good,except your filing motion was forward and back using a sawing motion. Doing that will clog the file teeth with metal particles and in this case aluminum which is a softer metal will fill voids of file teeth rendering the file over time useless. The cutting edge of file teeth only face forward so your motion should be forward or pushing away from your body. When you do this the filings will fall out and not clog the teeth. You can clean the file with an actual file cleaner or a wire brush. If you use proper filing technique the file will give you years of service. Sorry to be so petty but I wouldn't want folks to learn the improper use of a file. Your videos ROCK!! and Where are your shoes, you are either wearing white socks or barefoot! Lol

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

+TheAugiedoggie1 Watch more of my videos. Sometimes I wear shoes or even slippers.

[@danielcorvino8154]

Is it possible to replace shifters using the existing wire ? I have cantilevers and the shifters I'm looking at say they only work with V breaks.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Cables are cheap and are a wear part. Replace them.

[@mrk1075]

are those 50-mm rise handlebars?

[@TheDaf95xf]

Hi great video 👍🏻 Shouldn’t the other side have a barrel adjuster? Cheers Stevie

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Some shifters have them. But rear derailleurs generally have barrel adjusters. So an adjuster on the shifter is redundant. Front derailleurs don't have adjusters on them.

[@whatsgibbythinkingabout6702]

Can the Shimano ST-EF65, much like yours, be used for a bike with front disc brake and rear v-brake?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

+Chrono™ I don't know the specs on them. You will have to research.

[@element00x]

I have a Question, does the rear derailleur, front and shifters have to be the same brand ect? Or can i install an XT rear with sram x5 front and SLX shifters?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

They have to be compatible.You need to find out if they are. The amount cable pull needs to match. Some brands/models are compatible, some aren't. You need to research.

[@mustacheman43ver]

where did you buy the shifters/brake levers? I've been trying to find those exact ones.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Tina Nguyen Ebay. You can find new ones for under $25 shipped fro overseas.

[@kylejacktucker]

Please make a vid on converting from 2 in 1 brakes and gear levers to seperate hydraulic brakes and levers

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Basically like this, except you will have to replace the shifter too. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXS4d6Wvd6h0j6M

[@kaskas55]

Hey man, I have this type of shifters in my MTB & they are starting to act not right. Can I replace them with separate shifters + hydraulic brakes? thanks

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Yes.

[@lozprocter4056]

Is there any way to remove the brake levers from these shifters? Just punch out the rivet? Thanks.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

+Loz Procter I don't think they are designed to be removed. Doesn't mean they can't be. But why?

[@shazbish20]

i have some new ez fire shifters ef51 can you tell me are all gear cables removed in the same way by unscrewing 2 screws on top of shifters

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

The shift cables are installed similar to the shifters in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2WXqKuHnteXa7s

[@forevercomputing]

I don't cut cables unless it is the ONLY way. When re-doing my brakes and gears, I just disconnected, measured, recorded, and had to cut the gear cables - which I chose to do near the front with about 8" left. Then I could just discard the completed cables. Now, if I need to re-do my brakes, I can just discard and re-use my measurements.

[@MaQuGo119]

Make a video on getting from 3x7 to 1x12

[@TheodenEdnewDoesDnD]

Hello RJ, I replaced my rear shifter from a grip to a trigger assembly and the dérailleur now only shifts up, not down. Is there a way I can fix this? I don't really know how to google this problem to be honest.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Too many variables. Isolate the issue. Is it the derailleur, the cable, or the shifter. Was the shifter new, or used? If it was used, it might be stuck pawls: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3S1eGuAaJp2jMU

[@Caspercsgo]

I'm Russian, but I know that you say. Thanks for video!

[@Panda_Juju]

Can you install the shifter using the original break cables

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Might as well replace the brake cables/housings at the same time. They wear out.

[@Alessandro-zl2uk]

Hi, can avid speed dial 7 be compatible with old Acera ST-EF35-8 (shimano shifters plus brake levers) ? thank you !

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Avid speed dial 7? I searched google, and these seem to be brake levers. The EF35s seem to already have brake levers. So I don't know what you are asking.

[@Alessandro-zl2uk]

I meant: can I replace the stock brake levers which came included in the EF35s with the avid speed dial 7 brake levers since I have avid bb5 mechanical discbrakes installed on my mtb ? thanks and sorry for not being clear enough. The shimano shifter plus brake system SEEMS to be of one whole block, that's what worries me. However, you can remove the "outer shell" with a screwdriver

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Probably not.

[@Alessandro-zl2uk]

Ah ok.. . It's a little bit like the one you were using for this video...

[@lucidbarrier]

Where do you all buy the ferrules and housings at? Are the brake housings and shifter housings the same?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Amazon.com

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

And no shifter housings and brake housings are different.

[@fotovidamusika]

hi, which are better? Vbrake/shifter or gripshift?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I prefer trigger shifters.

[@Newbridge2002]

Hi RJ can I use the EF51 shifter/V Brake, on a bike with disc brakes?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Zero1 I believe so.

[@kittehhatetube]

+Zero1 probably way too late now but there's an adjuster in the brake grip/housing that sets it up for v brakes or caliper/disc type (I'd assume the v brake setting has a slightly longer throw).

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

This goes into detail: kzbin.info/www/bejne/epbXdX2Vbap-n9E

[@serdomal8796]

sorry if its a stupid question but, can i install this shifters with a mechanical disc brake?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

It's the brake levers that matter, and yes, these will work with disc brakes.

[@serdomal8796]

@@RJTheBikeGuy thx

[@javi1565]

what is the best method to remove the rubber grip ends on the handles, without cutting them? I would like to reuse mine, but they are on there so strongly.

[@SuperAbolished]

+Javi Use pressurized air, Insert the end between the grips and the bars and push the air in and at the same time pull the grips

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

+Javi I use a push something like an allen wrench under the grip, squirt in some isopropol alchohol in and slide the grip off. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqqahqJudqZ9osk