Gear Cable Replacement

[Justin]

I decided to replace my gear cables today. Bought cheap shimano cables (R15 per cable) and shimano housing (R20 per meter, 2 meters required).

 

 

 

First off, WHAT A DIFFERENCE. The gear changes are now quick, precise and easy. Change took about an hour. (next time should only take 20mins)

 

 

 

 

 

I started off by opening up my shifters, loosening the cables from the derailleurs and pulling the cables loose. I kept the pieces of cable housing for the next step.

 

 

 

I then cut the new cable housing to the same lengths of the pieces I was replacing. This was a bit more difficult than expected, seeing as I have a basic cable cutter, and the cable housing is quite tough.

 

 

 

I cleaned the cable housing plugs (the bits that go over the cable housing to ensure that very little dirt goes into it) and then sprayed them with Q20 (dont know if it will help, but I'm hoping it reduces rust and water entering the housings).

 

 

 

I cleaned the inside of the shifters with a bit tissue and then also sprayed it with Q20. There was quite a bit of dirt in, which probably means I far too often sit at the back of the pack in races and hence sit in the dust...

 

 

 

When the shifters were clean I fed the cables through the shifters and through all the required holes to the derailleurs (also putting cable housings in correct places).

 

 

 

Back derailleur : I forced the derailleure to put the chain in the third smalles sprocket (3rd fasted gear). I then put the barrel screw on and screw it all the way in and then 1.5 turns out. This ensured that if required, I could loosen or tighten the cable. I fed the cable through the fastening bolt, pulled it tight with a plyer and tightened the bold.

 

 

 

Front deraulleur: This was quite easy. I screw the barrel screw at the shifter all the way in and then 1.5 turns out. I pulled the cable through the fastening bolt, pulled it tight with a plyer and fastened the bolt.

 

 

 

Job done.

 

 

 

Went for a ride afterwards and absolutely loved it. Cannot believe cable changes makes such a big difference.

 

 

 

If there are any hints, please post it.

[Mr Mulebar]

Did you get the SP41 outer cable? The inside is greased so shifts smoother for longer If you didn't a few drops of Finishline XC Wet, Pro lube or similiar, needs to be a bit thick and wet dripped into the inner does the same trick.

[Justin]

I don't know exactly what outer cable it was (except that it is shimano), but it did have some sort of grease in.

[AndreZA]

That Shimano outers on the roll is basically the same as XTR/Dura-Ace.

 

 

 

I've never used the "R15" cable and always opt for the XTR ones which are R50 ea and they are amazing.

 

 

 

The scary part is and maybe JB can answer this, I've never replaced my road bike cables in the 2 years that I do the repairs myself. Are road gear and brake cables the same as MTB gear and brake cables? If it is then I'm gonna put XTR on my road bike aswell.

[Justin]

Is the XTR package at R450 really so much better than the cheapies at R60? I suppose they last longer...

[AndreZA]

Is the XTR package at R450 really so much better than the cheapies at R60? I suppose they last longer...

 

 

 

Do not buy the made up sets. You can get the cable loose and then buy the housing per meter.

[Bos]

That Shimano outers on the roll is basically the same as XTR/Dura-Ace.

I've never used the "R15" cable and always opt for the XTR ones which are R50 ea and they are amazing.

The scary part is and maybe JB can answer this' date=' I've never replaced my road bike cables in the 2 years that I do the repairs myself. Are road gear and brake cables the same as MTB gear and brake cables? If it is then I'm gonna put XTR on my road bike aswell.[/quote']

 

Im sure the cables are the same, but you dont ride the same, the dust, mud & water and sand do the damage. I run a full cable for my rear der In winter, It keeps the *** out.

[Johan Bornman]

That Shimano outers on the roll is basically the same as XTR/Dura-Ace.

I've never used the "R15" cable and always opt for the XTR ones which are R50 ea and they are amazing.

The scary part is and maybe JB can answer this' date=' I've never replaced my road bike cables in the 2 years that I do the repairs myself. Are road gear and brake cables the same as MTB gear and brake cables? If it is then I'm gonna put XTR on my road bike aswell.[/quote']

 

Yup, same stuff. Same heads, same diameter, same everything.

 

 

[Johan Bornman]

If there are any hints' date=' please post it.[/quote']

 

Nice work. DIY is cool.

 

Just one thing. You've mentioned a method of adjusting the cable that worked for you - 1.5 turns and all that. It just so happens that these settings worked for you. If you worked from a recipe that gave you those direction, the fact that it worked was co-incidental. On the other hand, if those were the settings that you ended up with by using a methodology of sorts, then it's fine. But they wont necessarilly work next time or on different bikes.

 

Develop a better methodology for setting gears rather than rely on a given number of turns.

 

 

 

 

[Justin]

If there are any hints' date=' please post it.[/quote']

 

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Nice work. DIY is cool.

 

?

 

Just one thing. You've mentioned a method of adjusting the cable that worked for you - 1.5 turns and all that. It just so happens that these settings worked for you. If you worked from a recipe that gave you those direction, the fact that it worked was co-incidental. On the other hand, if those were the settings that you ended up with by using a methodology of sorts, then it's fine. But they wont necessarilly work next time or on different bikes.

 

?

 

Develop a better methodology for setting gears rather than rely on a given number of turns.

 

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?

 

 

 

Yes, will do. I tried to figure it out as I went. I suppose each bike will be a bit different.