Bicycle Mechanics - replacing shifter cables?

i'm working on replacing the shifter cables on my road bike. why can't they make it as easy as on a mt. bike? really. anyway, i can't figure out how to even get the old cable out of the shifter. it has shimano RSX shifters on it. does anyone know how to do about this?

Normally you would clip the end tag off at the derailluer, losen the cable clamp, then losen the brake cables. You will then be able to pull the shifters right in then feed the cable out from the outside, ie, cable stop will be sitting in the shifter head on the outer side, feed cable through from the inside. Repeat in reverse with new cable. Before you do any of this, make sure that the shifters are fully released, ie, rear derailluer on smallest outside gear & front on small inside ring.

Well, this is more of a tip...but I like to solder the end of the cable.

Now the cable won't fray, will be easier to feed, and you won't get poked.

Normally you would clip the end tag off at the derailluer, losen the cable clamp, then losen the brake cables. You will then be able to pull the shifters right in then feed the cable out from the outside, ie, cable stop will be sitting in the shifter head on the outer side, feed cable through from the inside. Repeat in reverse with new cable. Before you do any of this, make sure that the shifters are fully released, ie, rear derailluer on smallest outside gear & front on small inside ring.

Why loosen the brake cable? That's more work then needed.

Why loosen the brake cable? That's more work then needed.
Yeah but it makes life easier as it allows the levers to compress without tension, fully exposing the shifter cables. I usually just flick up the quick release levers on the brake calipers, but this is someone doing it for the first time.

i'm working on replacing the shifter cables on my road bike. why can't they make it as easy as on a mt. bike? really. anyway, i can't figure out how to even get the old cable out of the shifter. it has shimano RSX shifters on it. does anyone know how to do about this?

The only real trick is to make sure that your shifter is in it's lowest gear position when you try to do it.

The only real trick is to make sure that your shifter is in it's lowest gear position when you try to do it.
Yeah,then depress the brake lever to tilt the mechanism forward so the head of the cable can be pushed out of the retainer.

it's me again. i cannot get the damn cable out. i reattached the derailleur to place the shifter in the lowest gear and everything. i keep pushing on the cable and it's not coming out. i depress the brake and can see where it should come out but it's not. is there any way to just open up the whole thing and get it out. i ask that because getting the brake cable out is beyond me as well.

it's me again. i cannot get the damn cable out. i reattached the derailleur to place the shifter in the lowest gear and everything. i keep pushing on the cable and it's not coming out. i depress the brake and can see where it should come out but it's not. is there any way to just open up the whole thing and get it out. i ask that because getting the brake cable out is beyond me as well. You don't have to reattach the derailers. Just click the shifters to put them in the small cog, small chainring positions,while pulling on the cable.You don't loosen it up.If it's frozen(unlikely) remove the casing so you can grab the cable near the shifter with a pair of pliers and push it. For the brake cable you depress the brake lever to open up the mechanism and look straight into it. You can see the head of the Brake cable in the retainer. The cable has to be pushed to loosen it.Sometimes removing the casing helps.Dont get too horsey with it or you can dislodge the retainer and a .5 bizillion tiny parts fall down in the mechanism.

I once had a shift cable fray near the end inside the shifter. When I went to push the cable out the way it should go, the frayed cable caused a jam and really made it hard to get out. I did push it part way with pliers and then pulled it out with pliers. It was almost impossible by hand. This was also an RSX STI shifter. It has been going for a long time after I did that, apparently there is no damage to the inside mech.