geist

I'm looking to re-thread a rear derailleur cable through some Cinelli RAM bars and a LooK frame. All the routing is internal. I'm replacing an existing cable and was wondering the best way to re-thread without totally removing the old cable. In other words; can I use the old cable as a guide, attach the new cable to it and just pull it through? What is the best way to attach the two cables to each other?

Thanks in advance...

operator

Internal cable routing is always best done by leaving the cable intact, and routed through the frame. Pull the old housing through and use the old cable as a guide for the new housing. When that is properly routed through the frame. Route the new cable.

Pull the old housing out and cable and start the frustration process. Replacing a cable without doing the housing defeats the purpose of doing the former.

geist

So I should replace the housing also, right? It's Campagnolo Record 10 if that matters. I ordered just the cable, because it was available, so I assumed I could just swap out the cable.

operator

You can.

But it doesn't make sense to run a new cable through old, possibly contaminated housing. I am guessing the reason why you're replacing it is because you're getting subpar shifting performance due to contaminated housing?

Steve530

When I replaced the derailleur cables on my Klein, I used some very fine steel wire attached to the end of the old inner cable. I carefully pulled the old cable out so that the fine wire was threaded from the opposite direction. Then I attached the end of the fine wire to the new cable and pulled it back through. With the wire I used, I only needed 5 or 6 wraps to hold to the cable securely.

BCRider

Fine wire or even a good stout thread or light string is all that's needed to pull the whole works through. The attaching is the key. Wrap the wire or thread/string a few turns around the cable and tape securetly with electrical tape that is stretched well so it has a lot of elastic force binding the two together.

operator

This is unecessary.

Again, all you need to do is leave the original cable routed through the frame intact. Routing the housing is simply a matter of using the old cable as a guide. Once that's through you can replace the cable.

No need to tape anything.

operator

Again, completely uncessary.

If the housing is intact, replacing the cable is as simple as pulling out the old one and running the new one through. Then do the housing, if needed.

Retro Grouch 

Won't work with my Klein, or any bike that doesn't have cable housing through the internally routed section.

nitropowered

It really sucks when you have to route brand new internally routed frames and bars. Took me around 30min to do a cinelli ram bar. Also took around 30 minutes to route a teimeyer TT frame.