brake cables - inner or outer?

[raggydoll]

When looking at sites for brake cables I see you can buy just the inner cable or the inner cable with the outer plastic shell/coating.

If I wanted to replace my brake cables, which would I buy?

If you buy the inner cable, do you then have to thread it through your old plastic shell/coating?

Hope that makes sense.

Cheers in advance!

 

[migrantwing]

Just buy both. It's slightly more expensive but, unless you're very lucky you'll find changing one and not the other a false economy. The inside of the outer cables get roughed up if you just change the inner cables, thus adding friction which equates to crappy shifting/braking.

You can get full kits online from companies like Jagwire, which is what I use. The kits come with both brake and gear outer and inner cables and all the ferrules and little extras you need. Around £20-25 on the Bay of the E.

 

[raggydoll]

cheers.
something like this?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/jagwire-rac...id||pkw||pmt||prd|5360494475uk#tabDescription

 

[migrantwing]

Bingo!

You'll need some good cable cutters or a Dremel like cutting tool. Jagwire stuff is pretty tough. Don't try and cut it with pliers etc. Also, the housing comes in one long length, one for the gears, one for the brakes, so be sure to measure it all up correctly before you cut.

 

[raggydoll]

ideal!

I think I'll order some to have when I'm ready or even to have as spares on trips further afield. I read about people going a longer distance that take a spare brake cable etc. Had a little look at a video on the tube and it looks pretty easy to do.

Seems a good price too!

 

[migrantwing]

If you want to take spares on rides, just get some cheaper inner cables to save money. Jagwire ones can be found for around £2-5. If the cables are relatively new, there's not a problem just swapping the inner or outer cables, if they've done a fair few miles, then it's best to just swap both of them out.

The Jagwire Racer kits are the old version of the newer 'Road Pro' kits, but there's not much difference at all. Just some of the little extras like cable donuts and a few ferrules are slightly different, that's all. Not worth the extra £5-10 as opposed to the Racer kit that you've linked.

Any help you need, just shout me or someone will help you on here. It's not a difficult thing to do, but you just need be precise with a few things like cutting cables to their proper length etc.

 

[raggydoll]

thanks man, much appreciated.
so you think if i'm changing brake and gear cables as an ugrade....get the full set but if i'm just taking them as spares to get me home if they fail, just buy cheaper singles?

 

[Kbrook]

I don't know anyone who takes cables as spares on a ride. They don't tend to fail to the extent that you can't get home. You can't really upgrade cables in my opinion if your gears and brakes are working well can't see how putting an expensive cable on will improve something that is working perfectly. I use cheap Lifeline cables from wiggle for brakes and cables and they work fine.

 

[migrantwing]

thanks man, much appreciated.
so you think if i'm changing brake and gear cables as an ugrade....get the full set but if i'm just taking them as spares to get me home if they fail, just buy cheaper singles?

You're welcome

Yeah. The chances of snapping a brake or gear cable are very slim, but you never know

 

[migrantwing]

I don't know anyone who takes cables as spares on a ride. They don't tend to fail to the extent that you can't get home. You can't really upgrade cables in my opinion if your gears and brakes are working well can't see how putting an expensive cable on will improve something that is working perfectly. I use cheap Lifeline cables from wiggle for brakes and cables and they work fine.

Agreed, but why not shell out a few more £'s on something that will potentially save you a nasty accident? I've never understood people who spend £2000 on a bike but put a little amount of money into tyres, cables and the like.

 

[mrandmrspoves]

Also worth noting that gear and brake outers are very different things. Brake outers are formed with a spiral while gear outers are formed from strands of metal that run the entire length of the outer.

 

[slowmotion]

These cutters are excellent.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-Expe...xpert+57768+190+mm+Wire+Rope+and+Wire+Cutters

I try and just replace the inner cables because it saves on unwrapping/replacing my bar tape which I find a bit of a pain. I tend it get stainless steel inners rather than galvanised. The cost difference isn't that great. You can pick up generic cables on Ebay for a couple of quid. The bike manufacturers' own brands are stupidly expensive. It's worth sticking a thin smear of oil on them before sliding them in.

Good luck.

 

[summerdays]

Over the years I've had one brake cable snap and one gear cable (not the same day). You can normally manage to limp home using the other gears or brake.

I noticed the other day that the gear cable on my second bike stuck a little so I'm sending off for replacement inners and outers but just the cheap and cheerful ones, though I use Jagwire ones on the one I use all the time.

 

[migrantwing]

These cutters are excellent.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-Expe...xpert+57768+190+mm+Wire+Rope+and+Wire+Cutters

I try and just replace the inner cables because it saves on unwrapping/replacing my bar tape which I find a bit of a pain. I tend it get stainless steel inners rather than galvanised. The cost difference isn't that great. You can pick up generic cables on Ebay for a couple of quid. The bike manufacturers' own brands are stupidly expensive. It's worth sticking a thin smear of oil on them before sliding them in.

Good luck.

I have the same cutters. Paid around £8 for mine a few years back. They are excellent and a fraction of the price of the hyped up, bike specific ones.

 

[migrantwing]

eBay: JAGWIRE Cables- Galvanised-Stainless-Slick

£1.99 + 70p P&P for Stainless Steel
£2.50 + 70p P&P for Slick Stainless Steel
£3.99 + 70p P&P for Teflon Slick Galvanised

Never knew that the Teflon Slick came in galvanised AND stainless, thought they were stainless only. I have found that many companies don't always have the information for all of their products and things become a bit confusing as to what you're actually getting.

The black coating on these cables, whilst one could argue the minute difference the Teflon coating actually makes, comes off. This may cause a build up inside the outer cables, which is not a good thing. Also, where the cable is clamped, it helps to scrape of the Teflon coating as sometimes it doesn't hold very well in the cable clamps.

Stick with the Slick SS cables @ £3.00 a pop.

Jagwire Website Inner Cables Information