How to Replace the Cables in a Shimano SPD Shifter

The cables attached to your Shimano shifters control the front and rear derailleurs of your bike. These cables effectively pull on the derailleur cage when you move the shifter lever, sliding the cage and the chain within it from cog to cog, or gear to gear. These cables, because they are usually made of steel, will rust and wear out over time. Eventually they will need to be replaced in order for your bike to shift properly. Learn how to replace the cables in your Shimano shifters at home and save time and money over going to the local shop.

Things You'll Need

  • 5 mm hex wrench
  • Cable cutters
  • Needle-nose pliers
  • 2 shifter cables
  • 2 shifter cable endcaps
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Instructions

    • 1

      Spin the cranks of your bike forward and press the small black lever on the right and left shifters until both derailleurs move the chain to the smallest cog. Follow the shifter cable from the left shifter to the cable stop bolt of the front derailleur and loosen the cable stop bolt using a 5 mm hex wrench. Follow the cable from the right shifter to the cable stop bolt of the rear derailleur. Loosen this cable stop bolt as well, using a 5 mm hex wrench.

    • 2

      Cut the ends of both the front and rear derailleur cables. This will allow them to slide more freely through the housing that runs over them. Pull the brake/shift lever of the right shifter in toward the handlebars and push the cable through this housing toward the shifter. When the cable end begins to poke out of the shifter, pull it all the way out to remove it from the bike. Repeat this procedure to remove the cable from the left shifter.

    • 3

      Pull the brake/shift lever of the right shifter in toward the bars. Insert the end of a new shifter cable into the hole where the old cable was removed. Pull the cable all the way through the shifter to assure the cable end seats properly in the shifter. Insert the cable end into the housing which runs to the rear derailleur. Route the cable all the way to the cable stop bolt of the rear derailleur. Use a pair of needle-nose pliers to hold the cable tight underneath the cable stop bolt, then tighten the bolt using a 5 mm hex wrench.

    • 4

      Pull the brake/shift lever of the left shifter in toward the bars and insert the end of another new cable into the hole where the old one was removed. Pull the cable all the way through the shifter to seat the end of the cable in the shifter, then insert the end of the cable into the cable housing. Route the cable to the front derailleur cable stop bolt. Hold it tight underneath the bolt and tighten the cable stop bolt using a 5 mm hex wrench.

    • 5

      Cut the ends of the new cables so that only one or two inches of extra cable sticks out from beneath the cable stop bolt. Excess cable can get stuck in the gears and cause big problems while you are riding. Clamp a shifter cable endcap onto the end of each cable using a pair of needle-nose pliers. Take your bike out for a test ride and experience the difference that a new set of shifter cables makes to your shifting performance.