Questions tagged [cable]
Bicycle brakes and shifters use Bowden cables to transmit braking/shifting forces from the hand controls to the appropriate place.
118
questions
3
votes
3answers
209 views
What type of lubricant/grease is most suitable for brake and shift cables?
I bought this lube some time back when I cleaned the bearings in my rear wheel:
Now I am replacing all the cables on my bike and the instructions say to use white lithium grease. While I was at the ...
7
votes
3answers
10k views
How to replace a Sturmey Archer's cable?
I would like to replace the cable of a Sturmey Archer hub, but can't find a way to disassemble the old cable without destroying it, and it puzzles me how to insert the new cable.
To better explain, I ...
1
vote
2answers
209 views
How to protect brake cable that runs beneath top tube while hanging bike on rack
My bike's brake cable runs underneath the top tube. This is a problem when I hang the bike on my rack as the bike compresses the cable against the rack. I came upon this question here:
Bike rests on ...
6
votes
1answer
113 views
Prevent internally-routed cable housing from vibrating against frame
The rear brake cable and housing are internally routed through the top bar of the frame. It rattles around when riding on bumpy roads and sounds annoying. What's the best way to mitigate this?
12
votes
2answers
2k views
8
votes
6answers
21k views
How to cut a brake/derailleur cable?
I need to cut a cable, cleanly enough that it can be inserted in its housing.
What kind of cutting tool do I need for this?
I probably won't be using it more than once every few years, so cheaper ...
34
votes
4answers
38k views
What is the difference between brake cables and derailleur cables?
What is the difference between brake cables and derailleur/shift cables? When I look online for replacement cables I see "brake cables" and "shift cables."
From the images they all look the same.
...
1
vote
2answers
143 views
How to choose brake cables
I've decided to change a number of brake cables on my family's fleet of bikes. I'm overwhelmed by the number of possible inners and outers.
What features should I prioritize? Stainless? Teflon-lined?...
3
votes
1answer
84 views
Problems with cheap housings
So, I converted my road bike from downtube shifters to STI brifters, and I noticed that the cable housings don't sit properly in the downtube cable stops, do you think that would be a problem ?
EDIT:...
2
votes
2answers
74 views
Rear V brake replacement
So I am replacing the rear v brakes on my old Saracen ruff trax, callipers, cables and pads.
My questions is...
Unless I pull the brake cable tight through the calliper the pads do not get close ...
5
votes
2answers
2k views
How to adjust cable length on integrated brake/shift levers, when there is no barrel adjuster?
I feel bad asking this question because I've been doing bicycle maintenance for over 20 years and this seems like a noob question. I was unable to find a Shimano manual to answer this question. I ...
3
votes
2answers
147 views
How to retrieve broken off end of gear cable from inside Shimano 105, 11 gear, lever?
The gear cable was badly frayed in the handle system, where it bends through 90 deg. I had to cut it to remove the cable...but in doing so, the tip with the cable end (about 10mm long), has moved on ...
1
vote
1answer
653 views
Tried to replace bicycle brake housing. Broken cable?
I was attempting to replace my stock front v brake to a better aftermarket v brake everything went ok until I tried to test it and the brake cable end, the one that connects to the brake lever, will ...
2
votes
2answers
59 views
Halfway through changing rear gear out cable
I stupidly started changing the outer casing on my rear gear without having cable cutter ready. Suffice to say I've messed up the cut and now I can't get the gear cable though the outer casing. My ...
2
votes
1answer
83 views
1 inch threadless headset with hollow cap for cable routing
Lets skip the questions about why I want to do this, but I would like to run my front brake cable through my headset. This is an older race frame with a 1 inch headset. Most headsets built for this ...
3
votes
2answers
587 views
What are these cable “unions” called
The Moulton bike can be taken apart for travel (just using it as an example, I don't have one). The cables that run from the handlebar to the rear triangle are not single continuous cables but are ...
4
votes
1answer
101 views
Alfine shifter cable tension increases over time
I have a Shimano Alfine 8 hub. I am aware of the need to keep an eye on the shift cable tension, and readjust periodically to ensure that the alignment marks on the hub are lined up.
The strange ...
5
votes
4answers
2k views
Reverse center pull cantilever brakes (how to set up and issues)
Questions
Q1. For rear cantilever brakes, are there any off-the-shelf parts or brake designs that route a rear brake cable from underneath the saddle cable instead of above?
Q2. If not, then can ...
1
vote
2answers
589 views
Front derailleur cable suddenly very slack (no shifting), not sure what's caused it
I last rode the bike on Sunday. Throughout the ride I noticed the front shifter (grip friction shift, Shimano) was feeling "looser" than normal (hard to describe, it didn't feel "right" and seemed to ...
3
votes
1answer
186 views
Alternative replacement cable for classic sturmy archer 3 speed shifter?
I have classic sturmy archer 3 speed trigger with a snapped cable.
Unfortunaly, these aparently need special cables (endings) http://www.sturmey-archer.com/en/products/detail/classic-trigger
Do I ...
2
votes
2answers
249 views
Should internal brake cables use ferrules at the entry point to the frame?
I recently got a titanium frame with internal cabling. The holes where the brake housing enters the frame are just big enough to fit a ferrule. Should I use ferrules or is it OK for the cable housing ...
1
vote
1answer
391 views
Giant Defy 2018 front brake cable routing problem
I have a feeling that there is something very obvious I am missing.
Just got my Giant Defy Advanced 2. Fitted the front wheel and found the way the front brake cable is routed means it is in the ...
3
votes
1answer
363 views
Brake cable end anchor, which metal?
Does anyone know from which material these brake cable end caps (anchors) are made out? Is it lead, some galvanized metal or something else?
4
votes
4answers
3k views
What tools do I absolutely need to replace brake cables?
I'm happy with the job I did replacing the drivetrain on my road bike, and I'm ready to tackle replacing the brake cables. Unfortunately, I did a little research and it's been suggested that I need a ...
3
votes
2answers
4k views
Bike brake cables popping out of brake handles
A couple days ago I got in a small bike crash and since then both my front and back brakes have this issue. As shown in the picture, the metal ends of the cables come out of the handles when I squeeze ...
0
votes
2answers
200 views
Is cantilever rear cable hanger supposed to move?
The question is somewhat related to this one.
I have cantilever brakes with this rear Tektro hanger (but the hanger itself instaled downwards):
The problem is, when I brake the hanger rotates, which ...
0
votes
1answer
243 views
Jaqwire KEB vs Shimano DA Brake Cables [closed]
Looking to replace my brake cables/outers on my CX bikes (105 brifters and TRP Spyres brakes). Both outers (front and rear) run the full length (shifter to brake) on my CAADX so there’s a lot of outer ...
9
votes
1answer
19k views
What is the actual cable pull of brake levers?
I understand that there are 2 brake lever cable pull standards:
Standard Pull Levers
Long Pull Levers (for V-brakes and disc brakes)
But what is the actual difference in pull? And specifically: what ...
7
votes
2answers
4k views
Why does my brake cable keep on coming out of my brake handle?
I think I braked too quick on a slope and the brake cable came out of the brake handle so my front brake doesn't work.
What do I do to fix it?
3
votes
2answers
399 views
How necessary are barrel adjusters?
In the process of getting the slack out of my rear brake cable, the "cap" on the insulated part of the cable pulled out of the barrel adjuster. While monkeying around trying to get that part of the ...
2
votes
3answers
3k views
How to re-terminate frayed brake cables?
I've bought and installed new cables for my bicycle, but I didn't have any cable-ends to crimp the ends. I've been riding for a few days now and just noticed that one of my cable ends has unwound ...
5
votes
1answer
461 views
Tried to tighten the brakes, won't grip at all
I have a big problem. I know I could get this fixed with a mechanic, but really want to learn how to do it myself. I tried to fix (fool around) with my brakes a little the other day. The brakes are ...
0
votes
1answer
763 views
Ferrule size for a road brake cable housing slot?
I have bought some generic cable housing without paying attention to the specification (https://www.bricklanebikes.co.uk/blb-brake-cable-outer-housing-black). It comes with a set of ferrules and I ...
1
vote
3answers
180 views
How do I thread rear derailleur cable through this adjuster?
this is a Lemond Zurich from around 1999 that I'm converting to 10 speed in rear. I can't get the cable to thread past this metal part that seems to be a fine adjustment for rear derailleur. I can't ...
1
vote
2answers
390 views
Brand New Bicycle Brake Cables Popping out
I've searched this site for this issue but it appears other questions/answers relate to old cables/housing. This specific problem happened after replacing both (link to Shimano brake cable set- https:/...
16
votes
3answers
6k views
Is it normal for my derailleur cables to cross over on the down tube?
I've just picked myself up a Specialized Allez Sport 2014 road bike from Evans Cycles (UK).
I test rode the bike and I'm happy with the bike, but when I got home, and flipped the bike over to make a ...
1
vote
2answers
80 views
New Cable Anchor Bolt for SunTour Accushift Edge
I got a pretty good condition Trek 400 and it has SunTour Edge components. Unfortunately, the rear Accushift derailleur is missing a cable anchor bolt so I have no way of attaching a cable to it. Are ...
30
votes
8answers
63k views
How to lubricate cables?
What is the best way to lubricate gear and brake cables in their tubular housings? Up until now, I've used CRC/WD-40 with an extension tube and attempted to squirt the lubricant into the tube housings....
8
votes
6answers
6k views
How useful/valuable is internal cabling?
I'm in the market for a new bike. I'm not a club rider but a utilitarian one: I commute on my bike, visit friends and run errands. On average I probably ride 2-4 miles per day, almost entirely on good ...
1
vote
2answers
609 views
Replacing Mechanical Disk Brake cables
I am having problems with replacing brake cables on rear wheel. The bicycle has mechanical disks. I removed old cable successfully and I've put the new one in. The thing is that I feel like it's not ...
5
votes
2answers
894 views
What should I do when my rear derailleur cable guide is too narrow?
I am installing a modern groupset on an old frame. The frame has a rear derailleur cable guide like this:
The problem is that the gear cable housing ferrules are too large for the braze-on, causing ...
3
votes
1answer
200 views
How Dicey are super cheap brake cables?
I was going to buy some super cheap - I mean barely more than 50 cents per meter - brake cable.
Am I in any danger of sudden failure? I don't mind replacing the cable after a year or something, but ...
3
votes
1answer
697 views
Longer stem, need to re-cable?
When I got my bike built, I chose a 60mm-long stem. It's a single-speed bike with front and rear cantilever break (cyclocross model.) After riding on the bike for a couple of months, I have decided ...
Alessandro Cosentino
1,4992 gold badges16 silver badges24 bronze badges
11
votes
5answers
11k views
What's the deal with compressionless brake cable housing?
Ok folks, I'm confused and in need of advice. On my commuter (touring) bike, I just upgraded my BB5's to BB7's. In the process, decided/realized that I also need to replace my cables and housing (@...
7
votes
4answers
2k views
Disc Brakes *Completely* Ineffective
Over recent months my front and rear disc brakes (Hy Rd TRP on my Genesis Croix de Fer) have become increasingly useless, to the extent that I now have to cycle very slowly because it takes at least 5 ...
2
votes
1answer
625 views
Would using compressionless brake housing for derailleur be a problem?
... since derailleur cables are a smaller diameter? Would they be too loose in the bigger housing?
The housing might also not fit the shifter hole.
Any thoughts on this?
The 'why' behind the ...
1
vote
1answer
656 views
Not able to shift to largest Chain Ring - Lever not clicking, when cable is connected to FD
After installing Shimano TZ 30 Front Derailleur, I am not able to shift from middle ring to big ring. I can successfully shift Shifter from 1 to 2 and even from 2 to 1. But not from 2 to 3.
If I ...
3
votes
3answers
11k views
How to increase tension of rear derailleur cable
I have a Trek Shift 3 (I bought/got new/unused in May 2016) with a Shimano ST-EF65 Shifting Lever (Index) and I am unable to shift gears in the rear derailleur. I think the reason I can't shift gears ...
7
votes
2answers
1k views
How to install the cable for this rear derailleur?
For two months so far I'm trying to fix my bike. I bought a used bike and the shifting was not good. So I bought new cables and tried to make the rear derailleur work, but without any kind of luck. ...
3
votes
2answers
1k views
Why do my rear caliper cable becomes loose after some squeezes in the brake lever?
I have bought this bike one week ago from a friend of mine, and when I checked it, it was clear that the rear brake caliper cable was loose. I could see, under the frame, the steel wire bulging from ...
