How To Fix a Frayed brake cable

[Wester]

I want to put a rear brake cable through the outer casing but the end of the cable is frayed and I cannot cut it as it might then be to short

How do I get the cable to run smoothly through the outer casing would it help if I poured some oil through the casing first ?

 

[Flying Dodo]

Buy a new cable - they're only a couple of quid. Your life might depend upon it.

 

[simon.r]

You can try twisting the frayed end together, but realistically it's probably time for a new inner. If ithe old cable's a rear and otherwise ok, keep it as a spare for use on the front.

 

[sittingbull]

As above it's best replaced.

If it's a relatively new cable and just the end has unravelled and you choose to re-use it then it might be possible to apply a little solder to the end.

 

[Smokin Joe]

IME once a cable starts to fray it's had it unless you can snip the unravelled bit off. Any attempt to improve things mostly results in it getting worse.

Bin and replace.

 

[Citius]

A frayed cable is god's way of telling you that you need a new one.

 

[robgul]

No question - replace it ... AND to reduce the risk of future fraying coat the area either side of the cut (and leave a bit more than you really need) with Superglue - and, of course, use a decent pair of cutters, don't worry away at the cable with a blunt pair of pliers!

Rob

 

[raleighnut]

When you fit a new one make sure you get an antifray cap for the end (they cost around 10p)

 

[the_mikey]

Just for consensus: Get a new cable.

 

[ianrauk]

And don't cut the cable until you have threaded it first.

 

[themosquitoking]

Well OP, that's you told.

 

[Tim Hall]

And don't cut the cable until you have threaded it first.

Unless it's one of those ones with a nipple on each end. Then make very sure you're about to cut the right one off. And then check again. And use a proper pair of cutters, as suggested upthread.

 

[Sharky]

Try cutting the frayed bit back, thread it through and see how much short you are. If you only need another inch or so, you might have capacity in the outer cable to shorten it by an inch somewhere.

 

[gbb]

When ive given BSOs a new life (well a bit of a reprieve)..ive often had to deal with frayed cables. What occasionally works is to twist the frayed end, obviously following the natural wire winding, that reduces the fray. Then insert the frayed end into the outer...and then turn the cable in your finger and thumb, as you insert it. Do it with the right rotation in your finger/thumb, it minimises the frayed cable end unravelling. (I can't visualise which way it is, but you get the gist).

 

[Sharky]

I think we are all missing the obvious solution

- remove rear brake calliper and discard
- remove rear mech and cables and discard
- remove front mech and cables and discard
- remove hub from wheel and replace with a track hub, together with single sprocket
- shorten the chain a bit
and bingo, you don't need a rear brake at all!