Should I carry a cable cutter on tour?
#1
Thread Starter
Every day a winding road
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 6,538
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: 2005 Cannondale SR500, 2008 Trek 7.3 FX, Jamis Aurora
Should I carry a cable cutter on tour?
I plan to carry some extra items like cables, spokes etc. What happens if I need to replace a cable? Should I carry a heavy cable cutter or just wrap up the excess until I find a bike shop?
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,049
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From: Okanagan Valley, BC CANADA
Bikes: Trek 7300FX, Lemond Sarthe
I think you answered your question. I have in the past carried a small pair of pliers that weighted about 85 grams and had side cutters. I seem to remember them being useful, but it escapes me as to what I did with them?
Last edited by bccycleguy; 07-22-06 at 07:24 AM.
#4
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 12,948
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From: England
I carry a leatherman mini tool with pliers and wire cutters. It works pretty well but you can just tie off the extra length until you come to the next garage.
I used to carry a pair of needle nosed pliers which were quite handy.
I used to carry a pair of needle nosed pliers which were quite handy.
#6
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Small town America with lots of good roads
Bikes: More than I really should own.
Originally Posted by MichaelW
I carry a leatherman mini tool with pliers and wire cutters. It works pretty well but you can just tie off the extra length until you come to the next garage.
I used to carry a pair of needle nosed pliers which were quite handy.
I used to carry a pair of needle nosed pliers which were quite handy.
#7
Thread Starter
Every day a winding road
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 6,538
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: 2005 Cannondale SR500, 2008 Trek 7.3 FX, Jamis Aurora
Have the spoke wrench, I have a leatherman knock off that I already plan to bring on the ride. My multi tool has a spoke wrench and Allan keys. I will probably carry extra Allan wrenches as the ones on the multi tool don't have much reach.
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Okanagan Valley, BC CANADA
Bikes: Trek 7300FX, Lemond Sarthe
Originally Posted by spinnaker
Have the spoke wrench, I have a leatherman knock off that I already plan to bring on the ride. My multi tool has a spoke wrench and Allan keys. I will probably carry extra Allan wrenches as the ones on the multi tool don't have much reach.
I don't carry all those "multi-weights" because they are heavy and often poorly suited to the job. Take an inventory of exactly what size hexes, etc. that you need and only carry them. Often the multi-tools are too fat to work well in tight spots and you can't expect to get much leverage on say a 6mm hex with a 2" throw. Try tightening up a crank with a Topeak Alien.
#10
If need be, you can buy a pair of diagonal cutters in any hardware store. You could also probably get someone at a garage to cut the cable for free. You don't need special cable cutters to trim the end of a bike cable.
#11
I learned the hard way (but not on my bike fortunately) to cut off the unneeded end of one of those cables that has two different heads before leaving home. (does that make sense - I mean on of these: https://www.rei.com/online/store/Prod...jpg&view=large)
#12
accidental tourist
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 36
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Take a look at the small Vise-grips that are available. A Vice-grip tool is a useful emergency tool that can deal with rounded or frozen fasteners, act as a clamping device to hold broken parts together, and cut cables better then any Leatherman or multi tool. Down by the pivot of the jaws is a small anvil and blade cutter that snips cables cleanly and easily.





