Classic & Vintage - Need some help replacing brake/derailer cables

Getting ready to replace the cables and housing on the wife's Paramount and need some direction, please. They are brifters if it makes any difference. Is there any certain brand or type I should get and the best place to buy it. Also if there or any tips you could give me would be great. This is going to be my first attempt at doing this so be gentle, LOL.

Thanks for the Help,
Mutt

The Park Tool web site has all the info you need.

As far as buying it, I buy bulk from whoever has the best price and colors I want. I use Jagwire brand.

Walmart cables are the cheapest but they do stretch a bit when braking. I use them on flippers. Jagwire is good, but shop around for good price. Housing, I buy them in bulk locally and only buy lined housing. Check local bike shop for prices. For cutting housing I use a cutting wheel on dremel tool and electical wire crimper for crimping the ends.

Cable stretching while braking isn't all bad. If the cable is too stiff you can over-stress something else and break it when you're trying to brake. That would be bad.

I just replaced some cables on my bike with the Bell set at Wal-Mart for $5 (includes all four cables).

I have used both the Bell set and the Jagwire cables, and I have to admit there is a big difference. You can really notice the friction with the bell set and the lined housing is effortless. I use the 5.00 Bell set on flippers but if I had a paramount I'd go for the good lined stuff.

Try here for a decent price:
Niagaracycle.com

Thanks for the replys so far. I think I may stick with the Jagwire because 1 this isn't a flipper it's a keeper and 2 Jagwire makes the pink houseing I'm looking for. Her bike is getting the pink treatment because that's what she wants and if mama ain't happy ain't nobody happy. I guess I may just get the kit because I don't think I'll be doing alot of other bikes with pink cable. Has anyone seen a good price on the jagwire kits lately? Thanks again for the help and always open to ideas and tips.

Mutt

I just saw on the Jagwire site that their pink cable is their ripcord kit series for mtb bikes would this still work for Shimano RSX Brifters?

Mutt

I'd say it might. How's that for a definite answer.

Really, with brifters, the older ones could use a 1.2mm cable, but the safe bet is a 1.1 designed and labeled for SIS shifting, generally with a 4mm housing. I've not had one that wouldn't work on brifters yet. The brake cable is generally the 1.2 with a 5mm housing. There are always exceptions.

My best success rate has been with the complete sets from PBK in England. About once a month, free shipping to the colonies, and the sets are about $10-$15. Since it's not a flipper, get good cables, and if you need an ally, see if LBS has one of those $24 Shimano sets. The extra money may result in some goodwill points with the shop.

I used a Specialized MTB set on a flipped Trek. It worked, but wasn't nearly as slick as the PBK. I"m about to use a Jagwire set on a Cinelli restoration. It's pretty nice.

If/when you buy a complete set, make sure of your cable lengths before you cut them. Some have the FD cable precut a lot shorter than the RD cable, so don't assume both are 60" long or anything, or you'll cut the RD one for the FD and end up running to LBS for another.

+1 The Park Tool site is awesome for detailing maintenance techniques.

+1 On a keeper bike, I would use something better than the cheap Walmart stuff.

+1 I would probably go with the PBK set.