Maintaining your bike's gears and brakes often involves replacing worn-out shifter and brake cables.
To achieve a clean cut and a smooth installation, using the right tools and technique is crucial.
This guide will walk you through the process of cutting shifter and brake cables effectively.
Tools You'll Need:
Cable cutters: Specific cable cutters are ideal for a clean and precise cut. They have a designated slot for both brake and shifter cables.
Alternatively, you can use bolt cutters or sturdy diagonal pliers in a pinch. However, these tools may not provide a clean cut and could damage the cable.
Example - Light Sheet Metal Snips, Sheet Metal Shears, other name Metal Snips
Cutting the Cables:
Before cutting, ensure you have the correct cable length. Use the old cable as a reference, or consult your bike's manual for specific measurements.
Hold the cable steady with one hand. Use the other hand to position the cable cutters so the cutting blade sits perpendicular (at a 90-degree angle) to the cable. This ensures a clean and square cut.
Squeeze the cable cutters firmly and apply even pressure. A good quality cable cutter should slice through the cable cleanly in one snip.
Don't forget to apply lubricant to the cable, before installation.
If the type of brake cable and shifter cable is standard. Except for the premium shifter cable type which is equipped with Teflon wrapping