Gear Cable

[Gummo]

The rear derailleur gear cable on my Giant Escape 0 bike has snapped. The shifter is a Shimano Deore Sl-M610. The cable housing says JAGWIRE LEX which is eroded at one point.

I've never had to replace a gear cable or housing - are they all universal?

 

[T4tomo]

yes, brake and gear cables are different, but gear cable is universal.

some come with two types of ends for flat bar or drop bar shifters and brakes, you just cut off the inappropriate end and thread the right one.


that outer cable has been rubbing on something though. it could do with a protector fitted or some helicopter tape on the frame?

 

[Ajax Bay]

Replace all the outer sections, as well as a new stainless steel cable (quick job; cable cutters a 'must'). Investigate what has rubbed at that outer and sort it.

 

[Gummo]

It has rubbed the paint off the fork at that point.

Do you think my electrical cutter is worth trying (the bit to the left of the teeth)?

 

[Ajax Bay]

I don't think it'll be up to the job of neatly cutting the outer (it's the shearing action you need, whereas I think the one you linked to 'nips'/compresses) and may not actually be able to cut the (1.2mm dia) bowden cable. But I haven't got one of those. Think I saw some inexpensive ones in the Px 'sale' . . . . yes; this on-one: https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TOOOCC/on-one-cable-cutter ('half price' @ £8). I have the Draper version.

 

[cougie uk]

Good call on the proper cable cutters - you do need those.
And invest in some of these too for your cables.

https://www.google.com/shopping/pro...&ved=0ahUKEwiO0IDa1cT7AhVRZcAKHaMUBD8Q9pwGCAo

 

[tom73]

It has rubbed the paint off the fork at that point.

Do you think my electrical cutter is worth trying (the bit to the left of the teeth)?

No buy a good pair of cable cutters its well worth it.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Get stainless steel inner gear cables as well for the win.

 

[T4tomo]

I'd also investigate why that cable has rubbed so much, maybe slightly too short a run of outer cable pulling it tight against the frame

 

[Gummo]

I managed to get the Jagwire gear cable and housing for £5 - the housing is exactly the 1 metre length of my existing housing. The original has lasted 8 years, so I'll think about replacing it again in 5 years.

 

[geocycle]

One thing I discovered recently is that Shimano gear cable is 1.2mm while Clark’s, Rohloff and Sram is 1.1 mm. Won’t make a difference for most applications but worth knowing if things seem tight.

 

[Lookrider]

One thing I discovered recently is that Shimano gear cable is 1.2mm while Clark’s, Rohloff and Sram is 1.1 mm. Won’t make a difference for most applications but worth knowing if things seem tight.

Thsts maybe of interest to me
I have a front fork remote that does not spring back ?
If I disconnect the gear cable the fork crown does spring back so the issue must be a cable/ outer or the remote trigger
It's a new shimano outer and a new Clarke cable .....is this mismatch perhaps the issue

 

[Ajax Bay]

"front fork remote" ?? Come again. Unlikely to be the cable/outer unless 'old'.

 

[I like Skol]

Just looking at that picture of the housing that has rubbed. Actually, that rubbing won't have affected the performance of the inner cable as it runs in a liner within the outer cable strands.

Just change inners and outers with a known good brand (either Shimano inners/outers, or Jagwire inner/outers etc) and you should be good to go.

 

[Gummo]

Thanks everyone, for your valuable time, knowledge and patience.