Brake Cables + Housing
 

I thought that this would be a commonly asked newbie question but I couldn't find anything about it on this forum or on google, so here goes.

I need to add a front brake to my fixie for safety and comfort reasons. The brake cable + housing I bought from my LBS is long enough for a rear brake installation. How do I cut it to the length I need?

What I've figured out so far is that I need to get a cable cutter like the Park Tool CN-10. But after I cut the cables I still need to add the head on the end that I cut. However, the heads that come with the cable package I bought are already crimped into the cables. Are they reuseable? Or do I have to get new ones? I googled but I could not find spare heads.

To attach the head to the cable, I read that I just use the crimper on the CN-10. Sounds right, but just wanted to make sure with the experts :)

For the housing, I think it's pretty straight forward since the head on 1 end of the housing cable is detachable.

Thanks for the help

You only need a head on one end of the cable. I assume that your cable has two different ends. Figure out which one matches your brake lever. You crimp a tiny cap onto the cut end of your cable to keep it from fraying.

Ahhhhh I see.....newbie mistake, thanks.

Where do I get the tiny cap?

thanks again

If your LBS won't give you a handful of those tiny caps for free, then you should probably find yourself a new LBS. Don't be afraid to ask. :)

Or if you're planning on doing it again, you could get a baggie or container of them from biketools.com, nashbar, performance.

When you're cutting the cable, measure twice, cut once. Also good to neaten up the cut end with a grinder to get rid of any sharp metal coil. Sheldon has a good primer on routing cable - it's more refined than you might think.

I've found ...especially if your going to do mostly your own work, it is best to get the little things you need (and you WILL NEED) from your LBS. I suggest asking for a few "crimp-ons" just to get you through this cable install, and while he/she hands them to you, you ask "how much I owe you?" in a gratuitous manner. Most shops will say no big deal or don't worry about it. You need to insist with out insulting that they were very helpful and you need to give them even a couple of bucks while assuring them "Trust me, You'll see me here pretty often buying upgrades or just asking questions...Please , take a couple of bucks". That little gesture goes immeasurably when down the road and you're in a pinch... ( like when you strip a BB's threads). Once you've established that kind of relationship with them, the stigma that LBS often has with "home mechanics" is a non-issue. Just don't abuse it. And... you'll find those guys really do want to help which benefits you, and you are giving them business and possibly referrals for them to stay in business. Synergy baby...WIN - WIN!!!

I just recently replaced the cables on my road bike. As opposed to cutting a cable prior to installation, I first installed the housing, then installed the full length of the cable, and then cut the cable and crimped on the cap. This way you won't make a measurement mistake.

Also, I had a pair of wire cutters that could cut the cables, but not the housing. So, I first measured the housing and then cut it with a Dremel tool with a cut-off disk installed.

I had already started the job one night after work and wanted to get it done the same night (after the LBS had closed). The Dremel tool worked, but in hindsight I would have felt better using a pair of cable/housing cutters that were made for the job.

Actually, on my personal bikes I solder the cable before I cut it. I think that it's better looking than the little cable end caps. If you do a neat soldering job you can even slide it back through the cable housing if you need to for some reason.

Several posters have recommended super glue to keep the cable from fraying but I've never personally tried it.