Service Course: SRAM Double Tap Overhaul

Some things I have been thinking about since I have made a big leap in a gear bike for CX this season. I'm a bit more worried because its more time in having to clean stuff more then I feel I have to keep up

on a road bike... I remember David Neidinger posting photos of his big cleaning of his Sram Shifters so I thought I make a detailed Service Course: SRAM Double Tap Overhaul.

So with that thought in mind, here's what you can do to refurbish, clean, whatever you want to call it, to keep your SRAM Double Tap shifters working smooth after muddy, wet weather.

Still a lot of grime under that hood, even after a good bike wash

Before you start, you'll need the following tools.

• Rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle

• Small phillips head screwdriver

• Toothbrush

• Air gun or use your mouth if you don't mind a little dirt / alcohol mix on your lips

• lint free rags

• Lubrication (Ed suggested a Phil Wood tenacious oil, but I used DuMonde Tech Lite)

First, spray a little alcohol under the rubber brake hood. This will make it easier to slid off. After the hood is removed, turn it inside out and clean with a rag and rubbing alcohol.
It should look something like this after it's all cleaned up.

After

No matter how well you wash your bike post race, there will be all kinds of nastiness going on underneath the clean exterior of those rubber hoods. Next, take your phillips screwdriver and remove the three small screws that attach the cover plate to the lever body.

Doesn't look too bad at this point

Once the cover is removed and cleaned you can see the full extent as to why your shifter isn't working quite as well as it use to. Now, take your spray bottle of rubbing alcohol and do a mini alcohol power wash on your shifter. DO NOT USE ANY KIND OF DEGREASER OR SOLVENT!!! Most of the bigger chunks of grit will be washed away but you may need to use a toothbrush to really clean the silt out of all the corners. Continue to
rinse and blow out the shifter until all the grit is removed.

The Big reveal, chunks of Muck

Don't forget to shift the Double Tap paddle out of the way as there will be more grit lodged behind it as well.

Grass and Mud, can't image why it's harder to shift?

Once all the grit and grim is removed you can go about re-lubing the mechanism. You'll want to put a drop or two of lube on all pivots and pawls. I also put a drop on each ratchet tooth to smooth the release. I really like the DuMonde Tech lube for this as it adheres to the pores of the metal creating a smooth frictionless surface finish. Test shift your shifter before re-installing everything. It should shift and release much smoother. If not further cleaning may be needing. Install the cover, and spray the inside of the rubber lever hood so it slides back onto the lever easily, and your done. Just like new.

All clean, ready for another trip to the podium.