Stripping cable outers

[Radius]

How does one strip the plastic off cable outers to shorten how much outer there is? What's the best thing to use?





JM

 

[Joe24]

You need a cable outer cutter, it just cuts it off.
I used some sharp side cutters to cut the brake cables on my fixed, but i think the outers for gear cable are alot stronger.

 

[Radius]

Ach might just take it down to LBS for them to do it, they shouldn't charge since they know me...unless anyone can tell me for sure that Shimano gear cables aren't reinforced with metal, cos then I think I have something that will do it!

 

[Joe24]

Ach might just take it down to LBS for them to do it, they shouldn't charge since they know me...unless anyone can tell me for sure that Shimano gear cables aren't reinforced with metal, cos then I think I have something that will do it!

They are rein forced with metal, i took the old ones into my LBS and he just cut new ones up for me.

 

[Radius]

I don't want to remove the cables, and they're still on the bike, it's just that the bike was originally intended to be Euro setup (reversed brakes), and they changed the cable length, but they didn't switch the outers so that the one with the metal bit that goes in the top tube cable boss is on the right (left) side. So now the metal bit wont go in the hole for the front brake. You can wire it but it is subject to sudden completely loss of braking power if the metal slips since the outer isn't held in place anywhere. I just need to get rid of the metal bit on the end of the outer.

 

[Dave5N]

Park cable cutters. The dog's doodahs.

 

[Radius]

Yeah and they're £32!!!

 

[mickle]

I don't want to remove the cables, and they're still on the bike, it's just that the bike was originally intended to be Euro setup (reversed brakes), and they changed the cable length, but they didn't switch the outers so that the one with the metal bit that goes in the top tube cable boss is on the right (left) side. So now the metal bit wont go in the hole for the front brake. You can wire it but it is subject to sudden completely loss of braking power if the metal slips since the outer isn't held in place anywhere. I just need to get rid of the metal bit on the end of the outer.

I no get. More explain.

 

[Radius]

I no get. More explain.

Sorry, I'm from Barcelona. (I'm not, but anyone get the ref?)

Ok. So.

1) Bike is European
1.1) so intended originally to have brakes wired opposite way round to here.

2) They changed the cable lengths around
2.1) but left the metal covering on the end of the cable outer, that would normally go in the top tube boss, on the short cable to go in the front brake

3) This metal bit stops the cable from sitting properly in the tension adjuster on the brake caliper, the outer wont 'go in' the hole cos the metal bit makes it too wide

4) I want to remove this

5) I thought cutting the outer just before the metal bit would allow me to take it off along with a tiny bit of outer...
5.1) ...without making the length too short to turn the bars (I checked, I don't think it will)

6) I want(ed) to know what the best tool for the job is.

Simples?

 

[Crackle]

Invest in decent cable cutters and £32 is not much for decent or buy cheap ones and mangle the cable so badly you wouldn't believe it. Failing that get the LBS to do it.

 

[mickle]

Si. Comprende.

Cable cutters. One of the first tools one must put in ones box. Tacx uns are cheap and cheerful.

 

[Crackle]

Si. Comprende.

Cable cutters. One of the first tools one must put in ones box. Tacx uns are cheap and cheerful.

How many cables will they cut before a gummy cat could do better?

 

[Radius]

I will buy some when I have any money, but for now LBS looks like the best bet, much as I hate having to go down there for their help...when you don't gots the tools...

 

[mickle]

How many cables will they cut before a gummy cat could do better?

Dunno. Reckon one would get a year or so life out of them if you didn't use them.

 

[Radius]

But Lee surely you have to cut them too? I was just thinking that if the outer was just plastic, and the only metal was the inner, then I could easily cut it, but I seem to remember that gear cables are reinforced with metal...