How to Repair a Bicycle Cable

If you ride your bicycle for long enough, you will probably have the experience of breaking a shifter cable. Although this can be a very frustrating experience, it can also give you the chance to learn more about repairing a bicycle. You can avoid the cost of paying a bike mechanic by repairing it yourself. Once you understand how the cable works and fits into the rest of your bicycle, it will be easy to repair the problem.

Things You'll Need

  • Replacement cable and end cap
  • 2.5 mm Allen wrench
  • 5 mm Allen wrench
  • Cable cutter
  • Bicycle oil
  • Adjustable wrench
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Instructions

    • 1

      Shift your derailleur to the smallest sprocket to loosen the cable. Cut the end cap on the old cable using the cable cutter. Loosen the pinch bolt holding the old cable, using the 2.5 mm Allen wrench. Remove the cable from the derailleur.

    • 2

      Remove the cable from the shifter. If the shifter is on the midsection of the bike, then unhook the cable from the shifter. If the shifter is located on the handlebars, gently loosen the shifter bolt, using the 5 mm Allen wrench, then open the shifter and remove the cable.

    • 3

      Apply a drop of bicycle oil to the inside of the shifter. Place the new cable into the shifter, wrapping it around the shifter in the same way as the old cable.

    • 4

      Drop a little bit of oil into the cable housings. Push the new cable through the cable housings.

    • 5

      Push the new cable through the derailleur pinch bolt. Pull the cable until it is tight and tighten the bolt with an adjustable wrench.

    • 6

      Cut the excess cable off, using the cable cutter. Place the cable cap on the end of the cable and pinch it a few times with the cable cutter to keep it on tight.