exploding shift cable
 

so, replaced the cable on the Masi FD. All installed/adjusted, just have to trim the cable & crimp on the cap. I cut the cable w/cable cutters ..... the cable looks like inverted Christmas tree
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...63bf683ad2.jpg

what to do? should I care?

Looks like crap, but won't have any functional effect. I still trying to get my head around the cable routing arrangement :wtf:Ive never seen anything like that

yea, it approaches from the bottom, then turns around..... Not my design!

Not much you can do beyond wrapping the "Christmas tree" with electrical tape to reduce the chances of getting a grease injection in your leg.

You may want to splurge and dedicate two cable ferrules to the replacement cable, when that time comes. Put one ferrule on as soon as you make the initial cut to prevent it unraveling. Then when you've got the cable attached, do the final cut and crimp on the second ferrule..

I solder my cables in the area I will be cutting, before running them through, or right before cutting. Then the trimmed ends do not fray.

That happened as soon as you made the cut?

Some heat-shrinkable wrap (squeeze it together and slide it into one of the sleeves/tubes of heat shrink wire wrap and then heat it up to shrink) might be a good safety precaution to keep from getting stabbed.

Sometimes some gentle twisting will realign they strands and put things back as they should be. I’ve never seen that happen the instant I cut a cable, though I have seen it after a few rides if not taken care of.

As long as you don’t need to unclamp and adjust the cable you should be ok with any of the previously listed solutions to contain the birds nest. If you do end up having to unclamp it, that would be a good time to replace it.

A couple drops of super glue then cut

It happens. Depends on how much the cable gets smashed when you tighten the anchor screw.

I know, just never seen it to that extent!:lol:

That is the most contorted routing I've ever seen too. Perhaps all the bending so close to the end had different stress in each strand that just simply needed to relieve itself... quickly.

There are worse ones out there. Shimano has some bottom pull that can be converted to top pull that seem to wrap around the derailer about 4 times.

Yep. As soon as I cut it, it 'exploded' to the shape you see. I couldnt believe it.
FWIW, the new cable the shop gave me was not given to me in a brand name package. Im sure shops buy their cables in quantities of 50 or 100. They gave me one of those.

What kind of “cable cutter” did you use?

Let me repeat: IT HAPPENS. Twist it together and put a crimp on it. This is not a problem at all, just deal with it and move on. If you can't twist it together and put a crimp on it then replace the cable.

Get a better, sharper tool to cut your cables. Dull cutters will fray those cables every time.

I use Knipex side cutters to cut cables and brake housing. I only use 'cable cutters' for shift housing. Works very well. The ones I have are at least 5 years old and get used every day. They cut beautifully.

It looks like a jellyfish. I bet it stings too.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0a88b89946.jpg
been using it for years; work good