Cable ends - how important?
 

So my lbs replaced my brakes today (my Trek 1000's front brakes were rubbing the tire and couldn't be adjusted any lower) but forgot to put a cable end on the rear brakes. Unfortunately I just noticed it and can't do anything about it until Monday evening at the earliest. Anyway, should I not ride until I get the cable end put on or is it not that big of deal?

Thanks!

Not a big deal at all, most likely fine till you can get one. Just keeps the ends from fraying.

Its for cosmetic purposes. If you crimp one on it will be squished and you'll never be able to use that cable again if you take it out.

Not a big deal at all. You could just put a little electrical tape on the end.

I've been missing one on the rear brake of my Hardrock for a couple of years. It is only a problem if the end is frayed, is bent, and sticks you in the leg once in while.. Ouch!

I have to replace that cable one day.

solder the end, best way to do it.

I usually let small mistakes float by because, well, so what. But you aren't just wrong once, but twice in the same post. The cable caps ( not ends - the ends are just that, the end of the cable)keep the cable from fraying. They do not prevent you from using the cable again, they actually help ensure that it can be. The most common problem that makes cables useless in the future is overtightening the clamping bolt or nut. That will often cut a strand or squash the cable so that it cannot be pulled cleanly or re-inserted back into the housing after servicing. Hope this clears up any mis-conception you may have on this.

Bump into one that does not have a cap on it and you will find out right away what they are for.

I'm sorry, I usually let these posts float by because, well so what. But you aren't just wrong, you're assuming the OP meant what YOU thought it mean. And you're holier than though red star attitude makes me want to puke.

He said "cable ends" I know very well what they are, and it's more likely that he means the end caps and not "cable ends" per your definition.

So point is, OP needs to clear up what he means by cable ends. My post was written with "end caps" in mind.

At any rate, I am wrong zero times and your post - put it bluntly smacks of arrogance. Thanks for playing though.

The cable is more likely to fray at the end if not capped.

Ive done a quick solder before. Works well i think.

If I don't cap them, they start fraying really quickly. All it takes is one light bump into the cable the wrong way and you start getting that fray.

So remember, Don't step into the fray.

The post was written with the experience of a professional bike shop mechanic/owner. And he's absolutely correct. The end cap by itself will NOT prevent you from reusing the cable, unless it's crimped too tightly. It's pretty common for a cable to not be able to be reused from being overtightened and crimped badly by the clamping bolt.

Woah, I never meant to start any arguments...I'm relatively new to cycling, and actually googled to see what the "cap" is actually called. Google bicycle brake cable ends and you will find links to the actual part. All I really wanted was an answer to a really simple question from people who have a lot more experience (or at least more than 2 months) than I do. Thank you to all of you who gave me an answer and simply understood what I was talking about. It is supposed to rain tomorrow anyway, so I'll just get it fixed up right after work on Monday and be done with it and not really lose any riding time.

Suggestion, ask the bike shop for a couple of spares, put them in a 35mm plastic film can, with a label and stick that in your tool box. In the future, if you ever need to change out a cable, you already have the end to crimp on.

An alternative is small diameter shrink tubing available from most hardware stores and all Radio Shacks. A short piece can be shrunk over the cable end with a butane lighter or a match and does a good job of protecting the ends from fraying and you from being stabbed by the sharp wires.

A lifetime supply is only a couple of dollars and you have your choice of colors.

I'm chuckling. Everyone except you understood what the OP meant. Your post was wrong and you are the arrogant one. Get over it.

I should know better by now. Something as simple as cables and the parts that go with them are enough to get dander up all over the World. That's what happens when most everyone here has too much time on their hands.

I called a shop friend of mine in another state on another matter and mentioned this thread. He chuckled when I asked what he called "cable ends", "cable caps". Seems in his shop, they are referred to as "crimps".

The bottom line, anything that will keep the cable from fraying beats a blank. Tape, solder (that is the class act), "crimps", shrink tubing, and even spoke nipples crimped are all ways to keep your cable end clean and unafraid.

Like so many simple tasks, the act of crimping a cable can become more than just a way to finish off a cable. At my old shop where we had up to 5 mechanics at any given point assembling or fixing bikes. I learned to tell which one had worked on the bike by the crimping method they used. What drove me crazy were the cables that looked like the crimps had been hammered flat with a 5 pound sledge. Ugly and it did create a problem for future wrenchers. I insisted that anyone using the squash method cease and desist. Instead we all began to use basic wire cutters(dikes) with just the right amount of pressure to keep the crimp in place. That way when we wanted to pull the cable the next time all we had to do was place the cable cutters on the highest crimp, cut through and not only did the crimp fall off, but that often residual unraveling bounce effect that starts a cable into fraying did not happen. The cable was cut clean and ready to pull.

Anyway, long story made longer to finally make my point -- The boys were fascinated that I took the time to scrutinize their work to the point of knowing their crimping method. They then looked at my handiwork and noticed I always crimped with 2 parallel crimps as close to the end as possible. Everyone developed their own "signature" crimp. One used 3 parallel crimps. One guy claimed the X. Another the Z, etc. It went from me being an anal retentive boss to them poking fun at my anal retentive ways. After almost 20 years I still use the parallel crimp. And when a bike from my old shop comes in for work, I can usually tell who wrenched it the last time from the crimps. Even after all those years. And when I see mine on an 80's Nishiki, Specialized, Cannondale, or Diamondback, I don't get misty, but I often grin.

Arguments aside: don't cap the cable end and it will fray. So you will probably need a new cable. So in a nutshell, put the end on and be done with it.

You got that right. +14

i poked myself with one of the tiny little wires and blood shot out. i put the cap right back on again!

Just ask your shop for a few. Mine will give me a handful if I ask nicely. Just lightly crimp it on with some needle-nosed pliers and be done with it. I would put some electrical tape around the cut end until you have a chance to get some crimps. It does hurt when you get one in the calf.

+1
Always cap your cables :) If yours are anything like mine, they fray practically as soon as you glance at them, unelss you cap them in which case they last a long time.

GREAT suggestion, thanks!

Wow CRUM, that has to be the best post on the subject of cable crimps/ends/caps I've ever read. Differentiating to identify which mechanic worked on a bike makes complete sense, and is classy to boot. I'll be sure to implement that in the future, perhaps even with colored crimps, though I can see some of the more anal clients complaining that the color doesn't match their motif.
Thanks. :)