Questions tagged [cable]

Bicycle brakes and shifters use Bowden cables to transmit braking/shifting forces from the hand controls to the appropriate place.

Filter by
Sorted by
Tagged with
1 vote
1 answer
59 views

Shimano Claris stuck in highest gear

I've got a 3-year-old bike with Shimano Claris (looks like ST-R2000-R) shifters. The other day, the temperature outside dropped to 40F. I took my bike out and found that I couldn't upshift the rear ...
ttshaw1's user avatar
  • 65
3 votes
2 answers
71 views

Do I need a specific Sturmey Archer indicator chain/rod and cable?

Like the title says, I have an old refurbished bike from the 50's I want to get working again. It has a Sturmey Archer 3 speed shifter and internal gear hub, and that's about all I know about it. It ...
user2649681's user avatar
3 votes
0 answers
77 views

Shimano nexus 8 internal gear shift cable holder is broken. What can I do?

I have a Cube Hyde Pro equipped with a Shimano Nexus 8. The cable holding place is broken. As you can see in the image below: As a temporary solution I glued it with a cyanoacrylate glue but it is not ...
moddayjob's user avatar
  • 151
1 vote
1 answer
57 views

What would you call the cable connection on a Race Face Aeffect R dropper post?

I'm very new to mountain biking, and even newer to bike maintenance. Appreciate your time on a question that I'm sure is simple; I just can't find the right words to Google it. I have a fairly nice ...
Undo's user avatar
  • 113
5 votes
1 answer
72 views

Bike cable tension not consistent when shifting up as compared to down

I'm trying to fix an issue on a (somewhat cheap) newer bike and it's giving me a bit of a run around. The issue is that when shifting up and down, the alignment is off. Normally, I could easily fix ...
Girro Affe's user avatar
8 votes
6 answers
651 views

Is there anything I can do with extra brake cable?

I'm changing my brake cables and I'm just thinking that it's such a big waste of cable since I only need a tiny bit and the cables are two meters long. Is there any way they can be used or anything? ...
Cedric's user avatar
  • 91
0 votes
1 answer
197 views

Shimano 105 R5800 - Noise on largest cog?

Today, I had a weird problem with my road bike's rear derailleur. During an event (which was a 2-hour climb up an Alpine summit), I got a noise when riding in the smallest gear. It has a R5800 105 ...
DoNuT's user avatar
  • 3,264
2 votes
2 answers
607 views

What is the correct cable routing for this Shimano front derailleur?

I'm working on an old (2007-ish) Specialized Hard Rock Sport, and failed to take any pictures of the cable routing before dismantling it. I don't know what kind of front derailleur I have either, it's ...
Kagami's user avatar
  • 23
2 votes
2 answers
237 views

Tight shifting and handlebar weird stiffness

I got my hybrid bike serviced 2 days back. Before the service, the handlebar used to turn freely, and the shifter was not stiff. I had given it because the day before something went wrong with the ...
Skull_Reaper's user avatar
14 votes
4 answers
3k views

Disk brake cables wear out too often - can I do something?

I have bought a City Bike Elops Speed 900 a year ago. I noticed that the disk brake cables wear out way too often. It happens sometimes only after a few hundred kilometers of use. They are torn at the ...
bud.dugong's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
830 views

What methods are being used to stop internally routed cables from touching the turning spindle?

Internally routed brake and shift cables pass through the bottom bracket (from the down tube to a chainstay), where—if they're slack—they will rest against the frame and away from the spindle, but ...
Sam7919's user avatar
  • 8,974
1 vote
1 answer
87 views

New shift cable damaged after clamping to shifter

I just replaced all the cables and housing on my bike and was annoyed to discover on close inspection that the front derailleur cable has sustained some damage from the cable clamp on the derailleur: ...
SSilk's user avatar
  • 4,099
5 votes
3 answers
2k views

What is the best tool to crimp cable end caps?

What is the best tool to crimp cable end caps - especially those where access is limited, such as dropper post remotes? I have got a crimp area on my cable cutters, but it is a bit fiddly to use, is ...
LC1983's user avatar
  • 253
1 vote
2 answers
113 views

Re-insert Gear Cable Plug / Fitting

My front derailleur wouldn't let me shift to the small chain ring, and after some investigation I located the issue to this plastic plug/fitting/thingy that seems to have popped out of the little hole ...
nathfn's user avatar
  • 121
6 votes
1 answer
592 views

Shifter cable broke in the shifter and now the end is stuck in the shifter

So The end of my rear derailleur shifter cable is stuck in the shifter. Is it even possible to get out? See the picture below. Shifting up and down doesn't really do anything to its position. Edit: I ...
Bijlenman's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
530 views

What do you call this brake cable? (MTB but 8mm depth)

I'm looking for the name of the cable marked "H", so that I can track down some replacements. In the photos, the one marked S1 is a Jagwire MTB brake cable, with a standard 6mm deep nipple. ...
Paul's user avatar
  • 41
15 votes
4 answers
4k views

What are strong methods of linking two shifter cables together?

Before you answer with "Don't." I would like to preface things by saying that I just really need a slightly longer shifter (and brake) cable but I can't find any on my local area and I don't ...
user9564371's user avatar
12 votes
6 answers
2k views

Ultegra RD-R8000 derailleur chewing up shifter cable - WTH?

I have an Ultegra RD-R8000 (GS cage) that has chewed up multiple shifter cables (Dura Ace and Jagwire) at the cable bolt. Seems that when in a high gear (11t chainring) the cable bends over the clamp ...
bryan h's user avatar
  • 121
4 votes
1 answer
616 views

Replacing internally routed cable with no access holes

I have this 2013(ish?) Vellum Uno on which I'm trying to replace my front derailleur cable. I was unable to do the yarn trick where you tie a piece of string to the cable before pulling it out (the ...
blackbrandt's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
65 views

Are these devices cable quick-disconnects or adjusters?

Are the devices in the photo cable quick-disconnects or adjusters?
Tim's user avatar
  • 948
13 votes
2 answers
2k views

Bike mechanic told me: Gear cable too "springy"

I bought a new groupset and I tried installing it all myself. Somewhere I must have messed up, because I could not get it to shift precisely. I took the bike to my local bike mechanic. He told me, he ...
nammerkage's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
639 views

Front derailleur cable touching frame?

Installing gears on my bike on my own for the first time. I pulled the front derailleur gear cable through an intended hole in the frame like so: So everything should be fine. However, looking under ...
nammerkage's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
745 views

Sturmey Archer AW shifter cable replacement with generic cable?

I want to replace the cable of a late 1980s AW IGH. I can buy new cable housing from just about anywhere, and cut it to size -- the end caps on the original housing are removable and I intend to re-...
jayded-bee's user avatar
13 votes
6 answers
2k views

Best drivechain for beach, seaside, coastal, winter, generally salty environment?

I live by the beach. Although I guess this is a similar problem to those who ride on salt-laden winter roads... It does take a while but, as evidenced by the endless bikes abandoned around the ...
John's user avatar
  • 395
3 votes
4 answers
3k views

How to run full length cable housing to front mech on a frame without cable stops?

I have an All-City Space Horse frame that has cable guides for full length housing where you use zip ties to secure the housing. But there are no traditional cable stops. The housing runs from the ...
user430's user avatar
  • 669
5 votes
1 answer
297 views

Brake cable reach

On my 2016 Giant Defy with Shimano 105 shifters I am finding it very difficult to reduce the reach on my brake levers and they need pulling almost to the handlebar to brake. Is it possible to reduce ...
Mike C's user avatar
  • 53
5 votes
3 answers
4k views

Cable end crimps?

I always see professional bike builds have crimped ends on the cables. I've never been able to find any tools or ends to do that, so I just wrap the ends in electrical tape to keep them from fraying. ...
Brian Knoblauch's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
272 views

How can I add cable tension to a Shimano 600 sidepull caliper brake on a 80s vintage road bike?

So I wanted to add cable tension to my rim brakes because I want to reduce the travel. I have small hands and don't have too much leverage on the hoods so if they actuated more easily then I would ...
Kenshin's user avatar
  • 11
1 vote
1 answer
46 views

front gear shifter cable sleeve, shifter to frame needs replacing, the old wire rusted inside

bought this bike 2nd hand from charity shop, front gear shifter was sticky and wouldn't shift to 3 [3+8 setup] as was already at 3. [streached?] ''bloke who brought it in said it just needs oiling'', ...
david l's user avatar
  • 11
2 votes
0 answers
69 views

Road bike shifter cable breaks too often: Shimano ultegra 10 [duplicate]

My rear derailleur shifter cable just broke for the third time in two years 5000 miles/ 8000km. I was lucky this time. It broke a mile from the end of a long ride. What am I doing wrong? Are there ...
O. Jones's user avatar
  • 281
7 votes
1 answer
582 views

Gear shifting is good enough after 6 years. Does that mean I don't need to replace my cables?

My road bike gear cables have never been replaced, they are 6 years old now. The shifting at the back needs at tune up now and then, more and more frequently as time goes. But once it's done the ...
Learning is a mess's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
648 views

Shifting cable maintenance/swap with internal cabling on Cube nuroad

I need some guidance on how to replace the shifting cable on a Cube nuroad with its internal cable routing. I prefer not to replace the outer cables nor to remove the hydraulic hose. The hydraulic ...
try-catch-finally's user avatar
5 votes
3 answers
1k views

Shifter cable ruptured near the inner end in ST-R7020 - usual defect?

Is is a shifter cable ruptured/torn near the inner end a usual defect with the ST-R7020 shifter or alike? Some words on the symptoms when this defect happened (might help others with diagnoses): ...
try-catch-finally's user avatar
12 votes
3 answers
4k views

Why do I constantly have to re-index gears?

I've got a road bike with a high end 11 speed groupset that is about 3 years / 30,000 km old. Chain and cassette have both been replaced recently (i.e. 500 km ago). What I'm experiencing is a constant ...
maupertius's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
1k views

Shimano RD-R7000 cable cut into thread?

That gap/cut in the hollow screw of the cable mount is not supposed to be there, right? If so, is this a typical defect? The hollow screw is pressed into the derailleur body and not replaceable, so ...
try-catch-finally's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
667 views

"Non-Aero" cable routing with "Aero" brake levers

Modern "Aero" brake levers, with their long bases and big hoods have some pretty significant ergonomic advantages over traditional levers. Personally though, I hate having to tear off my bar ...
T.C. Proctor's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
107 views

Sourcing cable guide clamps - for multiple cables

I'm looking for a cable guide clamp (for loss of a better word), but struggling to find any suitable ones online (similar style to below). It is the component which you use to hold a brake/shift ...
William Baker Morrison's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
324 views

How should exactly the brake cable be fixed to V-brake caliper?

Regarding the V-brake calipers, where the cable is tightened with a screw: Should the cable go between the head of the screw and the washer (1), or should it go between the screw head and the body of ...
Attilio's user avatar
  • 543
2 votes
0 answers
169 views

Left shifter is not catching/gets stuck when there is cable tension

I need help with my left shifter. When I have the cable attached to the derailleur and have even the slightest tension applied, the shifter won't shift to the largest cog (I have double front ...
Freddiesderailleur's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
354 views

Cable head is too small

when I came to change the shifting (gear) cable on my claude butler bike I found that the original cable has a slightly bigger head(nipple) than the replacement cables I have-3.9mm compared to 3.5mm ...
Keith Bruford Bennett's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
290 views

Shifter cable cut deep groove into the rear derailleur casing

I have an old Shimano RD-M760 DEORE XT Rear Derailleur, where shifter cable cut a deep groove into the guiding steel tube. Here is a picture: Is that tube replaceable? I think that groove is a ...
Paul Jurczak's user avatar
-1 votes
1 answer
401 views

Is it illegal to cycle with one brake? [closed]

After refurbishing my mountain bicycle I have discovered I need a new cable for my rear brake. My front brake works perfectly fine and that is the only one I use. I will be getting the rear brake ...
Charlie's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
613 views

How much can bike shift cables spool, and over what radius?

Some shifter designs have become known for causing broken cables, anecedotally because they're causing too much repeat spooling and unspooling over too tight a radius. For example, broken cable heads ...
Nathan Knutson's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
1k views

Why does the rear brake bowden have no housing below the frame of the bike?

I observed that the bowden of the rear brake calipers runs "naked" below the bike frame. (Also the gear shifting cables, but let's focus on brake cables for this question.) (I.e. the section ...
Attilio's user avatar
  • 543
6 votes
3 answers
2k views

What is MTB/roadbike specific in brake cables?

Basically as the title says. Why won't a "roadbike" bike cable fit into an MTB, or vice-versa? Consider this one. What would happen if this was mounted in an MTB (or any other kind of bike)?
Attilio's user avatar
  • 543
2 votes
1 answer
654 views

Anyone seen a hollow crank spindle cut through by an internally-routed derailleur cable?

I just want to share a recent observation, but I have to pose it as a question. A person showed me an FSA Gossamer 30mm hollow crank spindle broken into 2 parts. The break looked almost as good as a ...
Henry S's user avatar
  • 258
4 votes
3 answers
1k views

Replacing a lost disc brake pinch bolt

While replacing the cable for my front disc brake, I lost the bolt and plate that attaches the cable to the calliper. In this Park Tool guide, they call it a 'pinch bolt' — labelled E in the image ...
Xander's user avatar
  • 143
3 votes
2 answers
189 views

Why is this STI shifter cable corkscrewing?

I have a roadbike with an older Shimano 105 set of brifters. The left hand / front shifter has always had problems getting the chain to the big ring, to the point I often have to dismount to reset ...
Criggie's user avatar
  • 121k
1 vote
1 answer
236 views

Replacing an ebike's cable disc brakes with hydraulic disc

I have a Viking Gravity 250w 24v ebike. I'm just wondering if I can replace the braking system with a hydraulic type and what would happen to the wired braking safety feature? Would I have to retrace ...
Alan Walsh's user avatar
-1 votes
1 answer
965 views

Apparently too much rear derailleur cable pull

I have a Deore XT RD-M761 GS medium cage derailleur on my touring bike that seems to move too much per shift. It shifts the chain on a 11-30 8-speed cassette with chainrings being 36/48 and the ...
juhist's user avatar
  • 18k