Bicycle Mechanics - Cable housing with steel ends.

I took a look at my Scott today cause I need to replace some cables. I discovered that all my cable housings ends with a steel "shoe". Where can I buy those ends to the cable housings? Or do I have to take them off my existing housing and try to fit them on the new housing? That would be a real pain I guess. OR, in case of emergency, could I just pull out the cables and try to fit the new cables in the existing housing, and in that case, should I clean them internally and how do I do that?

I took a look at my Scott today cause I need to replace some cables. I discovered that all my cable housings ends with a steel "shoe". Where can I buy those ends to the cable housings? Or do I have to take them off my existing housing and try to fit them on the new housing? That would be a real pain I guess. OR, in case of emergency, could I just pull out the cables and try to fit the new cables in the existing housing, and in that case, should I clean them internally and how do I do that?ferrels.....Often are crimped on and can't be reused....can probably get at LBS. Casing can be reused if it ain't too beat. Just use some light lube on the new cables.

Great, ferrels... now I only have to figure out what a heck they are called in Swedish so my local LBS will understand me also :)
Cheers mate.

To clarify this for Berodesign, The metal "boots" you call them are actually ferrules. They cap off the end of the shift and brake housing. They are especially important in shift housing. Now the shift and brake cables have "end caps", these get crimped, not the ferrules. You can usually reuse ferrules. If you buy new shift housing, you should upgrade your stock 4mm shift housing to 5mm. They run much cleaner and don't give you friction problems as much. See this link for more info.....
http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/cable.shtml

One more thing,
When you cut the housing and cables, make sure your using cable cutters, not side cutters. There is a big difference. Also, if you have the time, have whoever sells you the housing, have them clean up the ends for you and grind them flat. This will give you a stiffer less smooshy feel a the lever.

I took a look at my Scott today cause I need to replace some cables. I discovered that all my cable housings ends with a steel "shoe". Where can I buy those ends to the cable housings? Or do I have to take them off my existing housing and try to fit them on the new housing? That would be a real pain I guess. OR, in case of emergency, could I just pull out the cables and try to fit the new cables in the existing housing, and in that case, should I clean them internally and how do I do that?
Hi
The ferrules on the end of the brake cables are usually coated brass and do not corrode so you can re-use them if they have not been crimped onto the cable. The plastic ones on the gear cables can re-used also. Take your old cables to your LBS and get them to cut you new ones to the correct length. Don't try to cut the gear cables yourself unless you have the proper cutter or a Dremel with a cut-off wheel.

Its easier to get the ferrules on and off if you heat them a bit.

If you do have to use side cutters or basic wire cutters (I'll admit to doing this cause I don't have specific cable cutters) tape up the cable with strong masking tape or duct tape before you cut them and cut them within the taped section.

Jay

Hi
The ferrules on the end of the brake cables are usually coated brass and do not corrode so you can re-use them if they have not been crimped onto the cable. The plastic ones on the gear cables can re-used also. Take your old cables to your LBS and get them to cut you new ones to the correct length. Don't try to cut the gear cables yourself unless you have the proper cutter or a Dremel with a cut-off wheel.
Man, is there an echo in here, scan up the posts, I've allready addressed this......