Can I Reuse Old Bike Cable Plastic?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Yes, you can reuse bike cable housing

. While changing your bike , whether shifter or brake, if you inspect the cable housings and discover they are still in good condition, there's no reason why you can't reuse them.

Do you need cable end caps?


Cable ends are important

. Safe, and keep things in order. You have to squeeze them off, but you can use them again by re-crimping them with your cable cutter or side cutters. ..

How do you reuse bike cables?

When should I replace bike brake cables?

What do I put at the end of a bike cable?


Nail polish

works just like super glue and it can keep the cable ends away from getting frayed or untangled. Just like the color possibilities in heat shrink tubes, you can get a nail polish color that goes well with your bike and use it to tangle the stranded cable ends easily.

Does cable housing affect shifting?

5. Housing lengths. This one often goes by unnoticed, but

how long the cable housing is can greatly affect your shift quality and consistency

. Too long, and you'll be adding unnecessary friction to your shifting and risking a snag with someone or something else.

Can I use brake cable housing for shifter cable?


It's really not recommended

. Brake cable housings have a coiled metal spiral embedded in them, while compressionless shift cables have a series of tiny round wires running parallel along the length of housing. If you were to use brake cable housings on shift cables the result can be very poor shifting.

What is the difference between brake and shifter cable housing?

From the outside they may look the same – but they are in fact very different.

Brake housing is built around a wire that coils down the length of the cable

. This structure gives the great strength needed for the power generated by the brake lever. Shifter cables see different forces so the housing is built differently.

How do you crimp a cable end?

How do you put a coax cable end on?

How do you cap a derailleur cable?

How often should you replace bike cables?

Registered.

5000 to 6000 miles

is a good time frame to replace the cables. Other wise wait till they brake and either have a good stiff pedal in or nice easy spin, depending on the broken cable.

Do I need to replace brake cables?

Brake cable inner wires wear out over time. Other than obvious fraying, rust or visual wear, you can tell your cables are worn when your braking starts to feel sluggish.

If lubricating the housings or brake levers doesn't help, they'll likely need replacing

.

How do you replace bike cables?

How do I stop my bike cable from fraying?

How do you connect two brake cables?

How do you take off a bike brake cable?

  1. Go to bike store and ask for end cap. Usually free… Crimp it on with any old pair of pliers.
  2. Dip the end cable in a little epoxy of super glues (this is what I do).
  3. Use a benzo torch to cut the cable or, even melt the end (My local bike shop does this -very slick!). Score 1.

How do I cut my cable house for cycling?

Why do my bike gears clunk when shifting?


Over time cables can stretch and need a little adjustment

. If you begin to find that your rear gears make some funny “clunking” noises or sometimes don't work in certain cogs, this could mean you need to give them some TLC. You will need a bike stand, and a screwdriver for this.

Are Shimano and SRAM cables the same?


the cable ends are the same, and they work

. sram pitstop cables are 1.1mm and shimano cables are 1.2mm. i like the sram pitstop cables for all shimano/sram bikes a bit better and use the all the time. but, either will work.

Can I use brake cable for derailleur?

Will it work? No. The cable diameters for brake and derailleurs are different.

The brake cable housing will be too large for a derailleur cable

.

Can I use brake cable outer for gears?

You can't mix-and-match gear cables and brake cables – you need the right set of inners and outers for each job.

Using gear cables for brake cables is exceptionally dangerous and you should never do it

.

Are bike brake cables universal?


MTB/Road brake cables are interchangeable

and used for bikes with cable-activated brakes (rim brakes and non-hydraulic disc brakes).

Are all bicycle shift cables the same?


Shifter (derailleur) cables come in two standards, main difference being the end barrel

, though cable thickness also tends to differ: Campagnolo standard – 1.1 to 1.2 mm cable diameter, with a bit smaller diameter barrel at the end.

How do bike brake cables work?

What is cable housing?

The job of housing is to

hold the cable in place and give it something to push against

. Think of it like this: you want to drag a rock to where you're standing with a rope, but directly in between you two is a hole.

Charlene Dyck
Author
Charlene Dyck
Charlene is a software developer and technology expert with a degree in computer science. She has worked for major tech companies and has a keen understanding of how computers and electronics work. Sarah is also an advocate for digital privacy and security.