Bicycle Mechanics - do i need to grease cables after washing?

Hi,

as title really, after i wash my bike do i need to grease the brake and gear cables where they enter the cable sheath?

thanks

daven

Not unless you want a really gummy feeling action.

I doubt if there are many cables these days that are not stainless steel so rust isn't an issue. And the housings all use a nylon slip tube inner core so that won't rust either. So basically the answer is don't do anything.

The only issue with any bicycle is to not use a hard blast from the hose. A gentle "shower" setting is preferred. If you think it would be too hard to use on delicate garden plants then it's too hard to use when washing your bike. Hard sprays will push water into wheel bearings and past seals if it hits the lip just right. Using a gentle shower setting avoids a lot of that risk.

EDIT- While greasing the cables is a no-no it's not a bad thing to use a finger to squeese a little grease into the socket where the barrel end of the cable fits into the lever. And same with the lever pivot. Doing that a couple of times a year makes the lever action feel nicer when the cable end and levers are pivoting during use.

thanks :)

I agree with BCRider that grease is unneeded and a dirt catcher for cables. I do like to lightly lube the inner wire with a very thin film of ProLink or Tri-Flow when I first install new cables but that's all.

BTW, Shimano and Campy factory cable sets come with light grease injected into the cable housings and with instructions to shorten them from the opposite end so as not to cut off the greased section.

and i agree with both BC rider and hillrider. triflow works wonders and most new housings have either a teflon or teflon like lining inside or factory lube. if your cable and housings are old, its cheap enough to replace them with new ones to take any question out of it.

Modern shift housing do not and should not be lubed UNLESS it's junked up and you are looking for a quick solution say for a winter bike.

Modern shift housing do not and should not be lubed UNLESS it's junked up and you are looking for a quick solution say for a winter bike.

A lot of people say never lube your plastic lined housing. It is pretty strange that Shimano shift housing (when it comes in a kit with the shifters anyway) comes pre-loaded with light grease...

I can see not using anything that will just gum up, but I have to agree with Shimano that a little light lube can't hurt.

But like everyone else said, no they don't need any lube after washing.