Installing new cables

[Nickel]

Just looking for advice/opinions on installing new cables. Is it helpful to put a bit of grease or a light oil in the cable housing?

[Benjamin Severns]

I know I've never used it when i've been installing new cables, i always use housings that have some sort of teflon coating in them anyways. that's always seemed to work for me

[soupboy]

I always give the housing a shot of Prep-M lube before sliding the cable in. To me this does two things:


It leaves a bit of a barrier to keep moisture from getting into the housing
As you pull the cables through they draw some of the lube through the housing...which at the very least can't be a bad thing.

[bike>>rider]

Any advice for cleanly cutting housing? Every time I do it I seem to totally squish the end of the housing, even though I have the Park cable cutter (supposedly good quality). Maybe this can't be avoided???? Then, opening it back up is a pain in the arse and sometimes it is just totally wrecked beyond repair - arhhgh

How about inserting a cable through the housing while cutting to help it hold its shape? Is this advisable?

[bigwheel]

How about inserting a cable through the housing while cutting to help it hold its shape? Is this advisable?

That's what I do. I usually run my inner cable (or an old one) just far enough that while cutting, you cut both cables. Then, I use a small awl to clean up the hole. If you do this, use a real cable cutter, not a pair of diagonal cutters. The cable cutter does a much cleaner job.

Some people also recommend using a dremel tool to make the cut. It does a clean job. First, cut the cable about a half-inch too long, then re-cut it with the dremel tool. While the teflon inside is still mushy, shove an awl inside to round out the hole.

[Aaroneous]

If you bend the housing while you cut it, the coils open up a little, making a much cleaner cut. No smashy.

[Thewavebb]

How about inserting a cable through the housing while cutting to help it hold its shape? Is this advisable?

I overhauled my bike last night and I used that technique. Works well. As far as lube goes, I don't add it to the cable. I haven't in the past, but it probably would only help rather then hurt, so why not.

[funky-funky-chicken]

After cutting brake cable housing, it is a good idea to square up the end of the housing with a flat file or bench grinder. This will remove any section of the spiral wound metal that may add friction to the moving cable. Use an awl to open up the plastic inside liner if necessary. A light coating of a lubrication is prudent when inserting the actual cable in the housing.

It is generally not necessary to do any type of filing with compressionless housing used for shifter cables.

[Kosk]

What's up with all the cable cutting advice from the Fixie Guys? You guys don't even use those things! :D

[funky-funky-chicken]

What's up with all the cable cutting advice from the Fixie Guys? You guys don't even use those things! :D

I have more than one bike :D I even have a couple (dum, dum, dahhhhh) With Gears. (Gasp!!!)

[Aaroneous]

Plus, we get good at cutting cables from stripping all the useless dangly bits off old bikes. ;)

[Crash]

I have more than one bike :D I even have a couple (dum, dum, dahhhhh) With Gears. (Gasp!!!)

you bringing it tonight to Leb?