Bicycle Mechanics - Metal bits on end of cables

What are those metal bits on the end of cables. I just replaced my derailleur and I had to take it off the cable. I know it only keeps the end of the cable together but then I don't want mine falling apart. I'm assuming it can't be put back on but could somebody tell me what they are called so I can look like an intellectual when I go to my local bike shop. I'm assuming that I will just have to clamp them on with plyers.

Hi SantaHul, welcome to the forums! Thoes are called cable ends (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2786).

I believe there was also a post a while ago on this forum about using fishing sinkers or something of the like to clamp onto the ends of cables. Might be worth a try.

Check out:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?threadid=2786

I posted about using lead sinkers for finishing cable ends, but the heat shrink plastic electrical cable ends are a better solution. They are tidy, easy to use, easy to get, inexpensive, and come in different colors.

Another little thing from that thread I tried with success was super glue to keep the cable ends from fraying.

So far so good. Another plus was that I didn't need to crimp the cable ends with the super glue. While the glue was still damp I just slid a cable end on and a minute later it was attached.

Next time I need to replace these cables I can just snip off the cable end, apply a drop of acetone to dissolve the glue, and reuse it.

Another clever idea that came from the list was using old spoke ends for cable ends. Maybe spoke ends fastened by super glue is a winning combination.

Better yet, my LBS let me have a couple free with my new chain.