Changing Internal cables help needed.

lizzylad84

Today, while changing the cables on my bike, I foolishly removed the cable from the rear mech without considering how I was going to thread the new one through. Does anyone have any tips as how I can sort this out? Bike is a giant trinity if that makes any difference

WillyFXP

Usually you would attach a thread or string to the old cable and pull it out, then use the string to feed the new one through. If you have a compressor you could use this to blow a string through so you can pull the cable through with it.

mirrormatrix

Just push it through? You should be able to use a bent piece of wire as a hook to pull the cable out at the far end. I had no problems using this method with my bike.

pablo3090

Feed a thread in one end and keep pushing it in as much as you can, then get the hover and put it at the other end and suck out the thread,

macnab

Sometimes I find it helpful to dip the end of the cable into nail varnish, when it drys it prevents the cable from unwrapping and snagging.

harringtonp

Was surprised how much easier than expected it was to thread an internal cable. Did have some problems getting it through at the rear mech but turned the bike upside down and that made it a bit easier.

t5pwr

Arts Cyclery give some pretty good tips in their ask a mechanic section and what they do when the cable is pulled out towards the end

seamus

t5pwr wrote: »

Arts Cyclery give some pretty good tips in their ask a mechanic section and what they do when the cable is pulled out towards the end

The last part where he just casually tells you to use a lathe to file down the spoke, just reminded me so much of this:
https://twitter.com/simpsonsqotd/status/314667081352237056

Mr Rubicon Conundrum

How often should cables be changed for Gears and Brakes, I have Tiagra levers and DR's, with at least 10,000kms on them, should I be changing the cables? If so, can any one recommend which ones to use?

seamus

Changing cables is kind of a "how long is a piece of string" question. If they look in any way frayed or rusted, they need to be replaced. Otherwise I'd generally say once a year or once every 5,000km, whichever comes first.

What cables to use is almost a religious argument. Expensive quality cables can feel like complete crap if they're not installed correctly and cheap cables correctly installed can operate as well as any other.

Decent outer cables are more important than decent inners. You'll see sets of cables online for upwards of €50. You should not be paying more than €20 for a full set of inners and outers (that's €20 max for a brake set and the same again for gears). Even €20 is pretty expensive.

Kalman

20euros is expensive >>>>>shop around!

seamus wrote: »

Changing cables is kind of a "how long is a piece of string" question. If they look in any way frayed or rusted, they need to be replaced. Otherwise I'd generally say once a year or once every 5,000km, whichever comes first.

What cables to use is almost a religious argument. Expensive quality cables can feel like complete crap if they're not installed correctly and cheap cables correctly installed can operate as well as any other.

Decent outer cables are more important than decent inners. You'll see sets of cables online for upwards of €50. You should not be paying more than €20 for a full set of inners and outers (that's €20 max for a brake set and the same again for gears). Even €20 is pretty expensive.

Type 17

You'll only need to change cable if they become stiff (water ingress) or damaged - my city bike gets parked indoors at home and work and has full-length mudguards, so not much spray gets into the cables, and the (good-quality, Shimano) cables are still working perfectly after 22 years.

Mr Rubicon Conundrum

Thanks all, for the replies.