Edit 22 July 2024: I've seen people downloading this a lot, but I'm not all that convinced it really works well. I don't even have it installed on a bike anymore. If you do actually make this, please leave a comment whether or not it's working for you.

Spring loaded barend plug for road bikes for easy access storage.

Inspired by barend storage for bike tools and tubeless tire pluggers, I wanted something that was easy to remove, but not friction fit. This uses a road bike's own handlebar tape to hold a sleeve around the bar end with unbent paperclips. The springs for the latch are cut down and rebent safety pins.

Also needed are two short M3 bolts and an M5 to hold whatever tool you want to attach to the removeable part of the bar end.

Very Important: wear eye protection when fitting the springs. They can easily fly off.

This is designed for small paper clips, about 0.85mm wire diameter. I splay them out after poking them through the sleeve so that it is harder to pull out.

Since most paperclips are not made of stainless steel, they will probably rust, especially if you have caustic sweat. Likewise with the safety pin springs.

This is a work in progress because, honestly, I haven't figured what to attach to the barend plug, so I haven't even installed it on a bike to find out where it needs improvement. The next iteration will probably have hidden springs if I can fit them between the two plug halves.

Doesn't matter

No

Yes

0.16

80%

The buildplate layout is pictured. Only the latch (make two) needs to be rotated 90 degrees on its side and have supports added. Supports only on the buildplate only is fine. It will probably need to be filed down so it is a smooth sliding fit between the plug halves.