Replacing inner brake cable, removing nothing?

[PLuKE]

Hi guys

Long story short, can I replace my rear inner brake cable without un-wrapping my bar tape or removing outer cables?

Thanks
Luke

 

[midlife]

Most likely

 

[mrandmrspoves]

Yes......

 

[mrandmrspoves]

..........or maybe no.

 

[PhilDawson8270]

Yes, remove cable ferule.
Roll back hood
Pull brake lever to the bar
Grab end of cable inner and pull it through
Feed new cable in
Fit to caliper
Set up, trim and add ferule

Simples

 

[mrandmrspoves]

Ok - can you? Probably - but if you have one of the modern bicycles with internal routed cables it may be harder.
If I were going to try I would cut the existing cable (with proper cable cutters as anything else really won't do) just above the clamp nut on the brake calliper. (This avoids the deformed bit of cable that was clamped being dragged through the outer). Then just push the cable through the outer until the nipple is free at the brake lever. Then just pull it out from the lever and insert new cable (after discarding the remains cable end that is still clamped to the calliper). Some advise lubing the new cable as you insert it, others suggest that lube may damage the plastic lining sleeve. I lube. Don't cut the new cables to length until they are inserted into the outers as they may be more prone to unravelling if you do. Although only changing the inners may save you time and effort, I would change the outers at the same time because worn outers make the brakes feel dull and can make the rear brake drag. Taping handlebars is easy - lots of videos on Youtube

 

[slowmotion]

Even I managed it, so almost certainly. Cut the end of the new inner with a really sharp wire rope cutter and wipe it with some chain oil. Cut the old inner at the brake end and pull it out from the hoods end. (That helps prevent it scarfing up the outer as it's removed.) It helps if you peel back the rubber hood covers a bit. Then it's just a matter of very gently pushing the end of the new inner in and trying to find the concealed entrance hole of the outer. It's a very gentle probing precedure, not brute force. With luck, you'll meet with success.

EDIT: Cross post with the last two...apologies.

 

[Tojo]

Yes.....done it loads of times but don't get frustrated if you don't hit the right hole first time.......

 

[slowmotion]

Get a pair of these. An absolute bargain and top quality. Don't use them for anything apart from your bike cables.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Draper-Expe...=1-1&keywords=Draper+Expert+wire+rope+cutters

 

[Tojo]

Yes, have some good cutters, but just run new cables in as you get them, never cut them till your finished...

 

[slowmotion]

Yes, have some good cutters, but just run new cables in as you get them, never cut them till your finished...

Do new inners come with a cunningly prepared end? If they do, I didn't know that.

 

[mrandmrspoves]

Do new inners come with a cunningly prepared end? If they do, I didn't know that.

Quality ones are sealed at the end by dipping in solder (or a similar process) which stops them unravelling until you get it home.....It can all go horribly wrong from the moment you cross the threshold of your property.

 

[Drago]

Yes, remove cable ferule.
Roll back hood
Pull brake lever to the bar
Grab end of cable inner and pull it through
Feed new cable in
Fit to caliper
Set up, trim and add ferule

Simples

That's page 6 from the "How to Pleasure Yourself" manual.

 

[PLuKE]

Thanks guys!

Luke

 

[cyberknight]

Yes.....done it loads of times but don't get frustrated if you don't hit the right hole first time.......

Snigger
thread ressurection as im seaching if i can do this as my new build i made the rear cable housing too long so i need to recable