So I have always taken my bikes to the LBS to have cables replaced, but now I have a project bike I am working on and I want to do this myself. Its a Diamondback Expert with Shimano RSX Brifters. Is there a special cable I should by, or just Shimano compatible brake and shifter cables? FWIW, not replacing the housings.

Also, is there a favorite? is one better than the other?

I replaced the cables on my old raleigh had shimano components. bought shimano cables worked great. I watched some tutorials on youtube its a fairly simple job. if you find yourself doing it a lot might buy some cable in bulk and a bottle of cable crimped ends.

I would probably also replace the housing, especially a project, or any used bike, that you do not know the maintenance history of. Many times when there are issues with shifting it is caused by the housing.

When the cables are removed from the levers take a few minutes to spray some light oil based lube into the shifters' insides. The last section of casing, on the rear cable run, is the most wear prone and significant portion of casing. At least consider replacing it with the inner cables. Andy

I wonder why you say you're not changing the housings. As mentioned above, old housings cause shifting problems, sometimes more than old cables.

I have the same brifters and I agree with the advice to lube their insides while you're at it.

They appear to be in good shape, but I had no idea they could cause shifting issues. Maybe I will go ahead and do that. Is there any housing better than others (aside from buying some stupid expensive carbon fiber or kevlar housing)?

As Andrew S mentioned, the last loop of rear der casing often has problems with friction. And the longitudinal wires in the housing can poke through the end caps, crimping the cable at the stops and adjusters. My wife has the exact same bike and I was fighting that issue until I replaced the housings. I use the Jagwire stuff at the bike shop.

Pretty much any housing of the correct size will work fine. Definitely lube the inside.

Another vote for Jagwire brake and shifter housing. It's reasonably priced and very high quality. If you want to keep a stockpile, Amazon sells Jagwire housings in 25' coils and it's much less expensive that way than in the pre-made kits.

Shimano brake and shift inner wires are also the way to go.

Need a cable cutter . have 1? overlapping Vs

better than flat cutter so wires don't get spread out to cut them , then, frayed, they wont fit in the housing

also need a special cutter for the indexed shifting housing, as it is a ring of wires on end,

to have minimal compression

and the ends ground flat before putting the ferrule caps over the ends..

There are bike repair books at your Public Library ...








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Shimano cables are just fine. Before you run the new cable, use a piece of the old one to ream out the housing. Then hold the straw from a can of spray lube against the housing and spray until you see it come out of the other end.