My friend’s old Trek shifter boss fell off..

[shinomaster]

What options does he have with this old frame?

Thanks, and happy holidays!

Juanito

[Peter P.]

If he's the original owner, perhaps he can get a warranty replacement frame.

Next option is a Problem Solvers Backstop, available at your local bike shop through QBP.

It clamps around the downtube and creates a slotted cable stop. It's available in various diameters so hopefully one size will fit the downtube.

After that's installed, he'll have to convert that shifter to a bar end shifter and add a brake lever, or install an STI lever.

[weisan]

https://www.hashtagbikes.com/product_p/ld0900.htm

https://www.hashtagbikes.com/v/vspfiles/ItemImages/LD0900.jpg

[classtimesailer]

Epoxy.
Drill a smallish hole in the down tube, clean everything well, and glue.

[AngryScientist]

that's really interesting.

is that an aluminum frame?

[zennmotion]

Call Trek. Seriously. I had a mid-80s vintage Alu Trek 2000 where, more than 30 years later, the bonded rear brake mount failed. I had to go through a dealer (not the one I bought it from) and it took quite a while but Trek actually glued the thing back on, gave the rest of the joints a thorough inspection and even repainted the frame all under lifetime warranty- they apologized that they no longer had the original decal graphics available. Word was, they were really eager to see how their early frames held up over time. I can almost forgive them for what they did to Greg Lemond. Almost.

[shinomaster]

Good info, thanks everyone!

[m_sasso]

A slew of different clamps here, including single-sided for a bit less clutter than posted above.

https://neloscycles.com/Shifters-ClampOn-Downtube-Shifters/

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/W2oAAOSwVIBb-iPO/s-l1600.jpg

[bikinchris]

What options does he have with this old frame?

Thanks, and happy holidays!

Juanito

If you are the original owner, then I agree that you should call Trek. But it does mean you will be without a frame for a while.

Or you could install eTap and not worry about the downtube shifter boss!!!

[Cat3roadracer]

JB Weld it back on?

[makoti]

What options does he have with this old frame?

Thanks, and happy holidays!

Juanito

Is that an aluminum frame? Perhaps a 2000 or 1500 or something? I ask because the EXACT same thing happened to me with my 2000. Shifter bosses fell off. Epoxy failed. Trek replace the frame, but it was only 3 years after I bought it.

[bikinchris]

Is that an aluminum frame? Perhaps a 2000 or 1500 or something? I ask because the EXACT same thing happened to me with my 2000. Shifter bosses fell off. Epoxy failed. Trek replace the frame, but it was only 3 years after I bought it.

At that time, they had the exact frame still in production. Easy way to fix that.

[makoti]

At that time, they had the exact frame still in production. Easy way to fix that.

Oh, yeah. I don't know what they will do now for the OP. Hopefully fix it, but I don't know that they even do that with frames, anymore. They sure didn't do it very well then.

[ultraman6970]

They sell a boss that is threaded that can be used in your case, but you will need to remove the other one too.

The boss is threaded to a center pilot, easy to install and remove and not expensive, the good thing is that will look stock. not like the clamp systems.

[bikinchris]

Oh, yeah. I don't know what they will do now for the OP. Hopefully fix it, but I don't know that they even do that with frames, anymore. They sure didn't do it very well then.

Probably offer him a moderately priced frame from current production. Problem is they don't make any bike with downtube shifters that would be a performance road frame.

[shinomaster]

This is an old Aluminum frame with a steel caboose I believe.. circa 1989 ? This kid was probably born in in 1984 so he's not the original owner fwiw..

[ultraman6970]

I could swear I put this link in my asnwer.... this is the best looking and simpler solution of all IMO.


https://www.cycle-frames.com/bicycle-frame-tubing/NOVA-LEVER-BOSS-KIT-FOR-AL-FRAME.html

[Hindmost]

A lot of viable suggestions here. I would be tempted to clean up the surfaces and epoxy thing back on. What have you got to lose?

[charliedid]

A lot of viable suggestions here. I would be tempted to clean up the surfaces and epoxy thing back on. What have you got to lose?

I'm in your camp. Glue it...

[shinomaster]

I'm in your camp. Glue it...

I'm down, which epoxy?

[Hindmost]

I was hoping some expert would weigh in. I've used J-B Weld on aluminum successfully. Important to fine sand surfaces to fresh metal and wipe off residues with acetone.

[bikinchris]

I'm down, which epoxy?

More important than the epoxy is the preparation of the surfaces to be glued. The right finish and as clean as humanly possible, then glue it and clamp it tight until it has set up!

[charliedid]

I agree with the two answers above.

[oldpotatoe]

Epoxy.
Drill a smallish hole in the down tube, clean everything well, and glue.

This...

[classtimesailer]

Do not clamp it which would squeeze out most all the epoxy.
You need the layer of epoxy between the parts.