what are my chances? brake cables

[e-rider]

I want to change my inner brake cables but the cables are hidden under the handlebar tape.

If I remove the inner, what are my chances of just sliding a new inner back through? Or will the end of the outer move and prevent this from happening, and then I'll have to rip the tape off etc........

cheers

 

[DCLane]

It should work. Honest

 

[midliferider]

You can but it make sense to replace both inner and outer at the same time.
You can use the same tape again.

 

[Racing roadkill]

If you're very careful you can get away with it. Take the tape off, get the old inner cable out. Clamp the old outer to the bars, spray the new inner with GT85 / MO94 / whatever, then feed the new inner slowly through, un clamp the outer, re tape the bars. Job's a goodun.

 

[Profpointy]

I want to change my inner brake cables but the cables are hidden under the handlebar tape.

If I remove the inner, what are my chances of just sliding a new inner back through? Or will the end of the outer move and prevent this from happening, and then I'll have to rip the tape off etc........

cheers

I've certainly done it. The end of the cable needs to be very cleanly cut obviously.

 

[Tim Hall]

If you're very careful you can get away with it. Take the tape off, get the old inner cable out. Clamp the old outer to the bars, spray the new inner with GT85 / MO94 / whatever, then feed the new inner slowly through, un clamp the outer, re tape the bars. Job's a goodun.

But if you're taking the tape off you might as well fit a new outer.

IME a new inner goes through easily with the old outer still underneath the tape. Depending on the make of levers, you should be able to roll the rubber hood back to get at the end of the outer where it hits the lever if it does move.

 

[slowmotion]

I have managed it so you should be fine. Even with a clean end, it sometimes takes quite a bit of very gentle probing to find the hole in the inner.

 

[Ajax Bay]

what are my chances of just sliding a new inner back through

100% You'll be using a new cable and that has an end which will not 'fray' (unless you abuse it). Poke it through carefully (I find a torch useful to help me hit the tiny hole). Grease. Five minutes per cable.

will the end of the outer move

No - it is firmly held in position by the electrical tape (to the bar) and the bar tape on top of that.
The decision on whether to replace the outer at the same time is up to you, but if you so decide clearly it will require un- and retaping: altogether a longer job. I'm surprised noone above has suggested renewing the bar tape 'while you're at it', if you're going to take it off to replace the outers. Mission creep if you ask me.

 

[mrandmrspoves]

It can be done but if you're replacing the inners because they are a bit sticky, leaving the worn outers in place will not achieve the best results.
Bar taping is an easy half hour job once mastered and bar tape can be bought cheaply - I buy a few sets at the same time off eBay. The "cork" tape from China is surprisingly good at about £3 delivered.

 

[Andy_R]

IME, it's not normally the cable that wears, it's the housing. Unless you are really neglecting your bike, the cables tend to be corrosion free, but the housings can rust like buggery, and when that happens the inners corrode too..

 

[Globalti]

I have managed it so you should be fine. Even with a clean end, it sometimes takes quite a bit of very gentle probing to find the hole in the inner.

@Fnaar to the forum!

 

[biggs682]

replace both even i am not that tight

 

[slowmotion]

@Fnaar to the forum!

I did think of alerting him!

 

[Levo-Lon]

Easy, but as said a clean cut end or un cut cable.. one of the best things you can buy is a pair of quality cable cutters..

 

[Profpointy]

IME, it's not normally the cable that wears, it's the housing. Unless you are really neglecting your bike, the cables tend to be corrosion free, but the housings can rust like buggery, and when that happens the inners corrode too..

Although I've replaced just the cable itself, that was because it had got a bit short from trimming mangled ends, so I too would replace the lot if rusty say.