What is the easiest way to thread a shifter cable through the housing? It seems like no matter what I do, it frays. Or, it just wont go in at all. Help!

Thanks!

Put a drop or two of superglue on the end of the cable. Let it dry and then thread the cable into housing.

Are you cutting is before you thread it in? Because I've never had any trouble as long as I don't cut it before hand.

use an awl or something to poke into and make sure the end of the housing isn't pinched from cutting. a few drops of tri-flo or other LIGHT lube into the end of the housing you'l feed the cable into. super glue is a great idea, by the way, but twist the cable end in it's natural twists direction to smoothe it out. then super glue. this should do it.
oh- if you're using crappy, dull cutters that don't cut without bending and twisting and cursing....
it won't work. It'll mess up the cable end and make it fray every time.

I like the super glue idea,I will have to remember that one.

super glue works great -- works for finishing too -- looks real clean and you can pull it without cutting the caps off if you need to remove it

Do you have cable-cutters made specifiably for use with bicycles? If not - get some. They are expensive, but with care and common-sense - they will last a lifetime. I recommend the one's made by Shimano.

When you cut cable-housing, thread some old old cable through it before you cut. This will help to keep the end where you cut open. If not - use an awl or such to open it up. With real cable-cutters, you shouldn't have to contend with fraying cables.

If the metal or plastic ferrules at the end of the housing are removable, try removing the one at the exit end. Sometimes the inner cable gets stuck trying to get through the smaller hole in the ferrule.

I also like to clean up housing cuts on the bench grinder.

Also try twisting the cable as you feed it. Twist in the same direction as the twist of the cable (clockwise?) so it tends to tighten the wires rather than spread them. That technique will help in general, but I think 50T Cannon nailed it with the pinched housing.

Panthers007 is right. Get the Shimano cutters. I was and still am amazed at how clean they cut the housing and cables. They work THAT well.

I think Park or Pedros offer a similar product for the same or less $. They would probably work too.

This seemingly simple task went from, "How in the hell does anyone do this," to "That was easy."

Super glue idea is pretty kewl. I just use solder. If you're handy with a soldering iron you can melt some tin to the end. I've done it like that and don't have to worry about finding the little tin inserts right away. Just make sure you don't leave a ball at the tip.

The Shimano cutters leave Park and Pedros in the weeds. And they really are that much better.

+1, They cut through cables and housings like butter, and nary a fray cable or damaged housing in sight.

This is one of those tools that gets put in a *special* place, with the other *special* tools.

BIG +1 on that- gets 'em nice and square and flat. Just hit the wheel quickly and briefly or you'll melt the inner liner and have to "awl it out".

It also helps to feed the cable into the housing before you've bent the housing or put it into place on the frame.

I cut cable housing with a dremel moto tool and a cut off wheel. I use a drill bit of the same size as the hole in the cable housing liner to clean up any debris. Just twist it in by hand and it cleans out any debris and rounds out the opening.

+1 Same here. Just cut halfway , pause to let it cool for a couple seconds and cut the rest of the way... I also use a small drill bit to make sure the ends are open.