Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

how to replace this cable

Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

how to replace this cable

Old 12-12-11, 02:32 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
chandltp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Erie, PA
Posts: 1,771

Bikes: Bacchetta Giro 20, Trek 7000, old Huffy MTB, and a few others

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
how to replace this cable

For the life of me, I can't figure out how to get out this shifter cable:






Any help would be appreciated. I got a used bike for a Christmas present, and it looks nice for the most part. Just needs a little help.. cables being one of them.

If that doesn't work, I have a 6 speed grip shift on another bike.. what are the chances a derailleur and twist shifter from an old Wal-Mart mounting bike be able to be swapped over to a kid's bike?
chandltp is offline  
Old 12-12-11, 02:55 PM
  #2  
Banned
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NW,Oregon Coast
Posts: 43,598

Bikes: 8

Mentioned: 197 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7607 Post(s)
Liked 1,354 Times in 861 Posts
If you cannot find an opening by peeling the rubber grip back, toss the whole thing.
they were made only for OEM installation and never to be serviced, but cheaper..

if you want it to click the brand of the shifter and the RD have to match
and have the same "speed" number.

Wall Mart product managers always choose cheaper
over serviceability after the sale..
fietsbob is offline  
Old 12-12-11, 04:03 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
chandltp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Erie, PA
Posts: 1,771

Bikes: Bacchetta Giro 20, Trek 7000, old Huffy MTB, and a few others

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by fietsbob
If you cannot find an opening by peeling the rubber grip back, toss the whole thing.
they were made only for OEM installation and never to be serviced, but cheaper..

if you want it to click the brand of the shifter and the RD have to match
and have the same "speed" number.
There are no rubber bits.. it's all hard plastic. I was afraid it wasn't going to be serviceable after spending 1/2 an hour trying to figure out how to open it. Then I walked over to my Trek and peeled back the rubber bit I was looking for.

The Wal-Mart bike (a free parts bike) I have appears to be the same thing, but I can probably use the cables that are already in the shifter. They're both 6 speed rear freewheels, but one is a kids suspension bike with 20" tires, and the other is an adult mountain bike with 26" tires. Maybe the derailleur will swap out..

I guess it doesn't hurt to try swapping things, otherwise I'm out the $20 I spent for the bike. I guess it didn't occur to me that it wouldn't be replaceable. I suppose some thumb shifters wouldn't hurt as a last resort.
chandltp is offline  
Old 12-12-11, 04:12 PM
  #4  
cycles per second
 
Gonzo Bob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,930

Bikes: Early 1980's Ishiwata 022 steel sport/touring, 1986 Vitus 979, 1988 DiamondBack Apex, 1997 Softride PowerWing 700, 2001 Trek OCLV 110

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 44 Post(s)
Liked 71 Times in 48 Posts
Loosen the allen bolt visible in the last picture. Slide the entire assembly inward on the handlebar (away from the rubber grip). Separate the "grip" part of the shifter from the body - you may need to twist it on way or the other - and this should give you access to the cable end. You may also find that that triangular shaped plastic piece is removable but maybe only if the grip piece is first removed.
Gonzo Bob is offline  
Old 12-12-11, 04:19 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
chandltp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Erie, PA
Posts: 1,771

Bikes: Bacchetta Giro 20, Trek 7000, old Huffy MTB, and a few others

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Gonzo Bob
Loosen the allen bolt visible in the last picture. Slide the entire assembly inward on the handlebar (away from the rubber grip). Separate the "grip" part of the shifter from the body - you may need to twist it on way or the other - and this should give you access to the cable end. You may also find that that triangular shaped plastic piece is removable but maybe only if the grip piece is first removed.
I'll try this later tonight or tomorrow.. but the assembly in the picture is all one piece as far as I can tell. The "grip" part isn't a soft rubber, but a hard plastic.
chandltp is offline  
Old 12-13-11, 02:31 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
chandltp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Erie, PA
Posts: 1,771

Bikes: Bacchetta Giro 20, Trek 7000, old Huffy MTB, and a few others

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
So I gave up and pulled the twist shifters from another bike. It's a 6 speed freewheel too, but I think I'm going to have to swap the rear derailleur. I was hoping it would work, but sadly doesn't seem like it will happen.

With a 6 speed chain on a Wal-Mart type bike, can I break the chain and re-join with the same pin?
chandltp is offline  
Old 12-13-11, 02:35 PM
  #7  
Hogosha Sekai
 
RaleighSport's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: STS
Posts: 6,672

Bikes: Leader 725, Centurion Turbo, Scwhinn Peloton, Schwinn Premis, GT Tequesta, Bridgestone CB-2,72' Centurion Lemans, 72 Raleigh Competition

Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 21 Times in 15 Posts
Originally Posted by chandltp
So I gave up and pulled the twist shifters from another bike. It's a 6 speed freewheel too, but I think I'm going to have to swap the rear derailleur. I was hoping it would work, but sadly doesn't seem like it will happen.

With a 6 speed chain on a Wal-Mart type bike, can I break the chain and re-join with the same pin?
If it's similar shimano cheapness, you probably just need to adjust the cable, and assuming you can get the pin fully seated without pinching the links there to tightly, I see no problem with doing that.. but more experienced heads will weigh in I'm sure.
RaleighSport is offline  
Old 12-13-11, 08:14 PM
  #8  
Friendship is Magic
 
3alarmer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,932

Bikes: old ones

Mentioned: 304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26250 Post(s)
Liked 10,231 Times in 7,100 Posts
Originally Posted by RaleighSport
If it's similar shimano cheapness, you probably just need to adjust the cable, and assuming you can get the pin fully seated without pinching the links there to tightly, I see no problem with doing that.. but more experienced heads will weigh in I'm sure.
6 speed chains, even the Shimano ones, are wide enough that you can
just do your normal break and repin, to my knowledge. I specifically
stopped using the bastards when they got to the two or three different
colored replacement pin depending on chainwidth stage, because I had
a friend or two who did significant damage to rear D and dropout with
a moving fast chain separation using a Shimano chain.

8 cog rear is as much as I own, so not really an issue for me. With regard
to those twist grip shifters, In my lifetime at the coop, I've tried to recable
about twenty of them. I think I successfully managed two of the earlier
ones (came apart by loosening an allen set screw).

So try not to personalize it. I usually tell people if they want to go at it,
here's how it comes apart and there's where the cable goes, good luck.
__________________
3alarmer is offline  
Old 12-13-11, 08:17 PM
  #9  
Hogosha Sekai
 
RaleighSport's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: STS
Posts: 6,672

Bikes: Leader 725, Centurion Turbo, Scwhinn Peloton, Schwinn Premis, GT Tequesta, Bridgestone CB-2,72' Centurion Lemans, 72 Raleigh Competition

Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 21 Times in 15 Posts
Originally Posted by 3alarmer
6 speed chains, even the Shimano ones, are wide enough that you can
just do your normal break and repin, to my knowledge. I specifically
stopped using the bastards when they got to the two or three different
colored replacement pin depending on chainwidth stage, because I had
a friend or two who did significant damage to rear D and dropout with
a moving fast chain separation using a Shimano chain.

8 cog rear is as much as I own, so not really an issue for me. With regard
to those twist grip shifters, In my lifetime at the coop, I've tried to recable
about twenty of them. I think I successfully managed two of the earlier
ones (came apart by loosening an allen set screw).

So try not to personalize it. I usually tell people if they want to go at it,
here's how it comes apart and there's where the cable goes, good luck.
I don't waste my time recabling them honestly, the dump is plentiful with strippable cheap mtb frames, REI charges about 20 bucks for a set new as well, and of course there's always the odd scores, in terms of the grip shifters that it.
RaleighSport is offline  
Old 12-14-11, 05:30 AM
  #10  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
chandltp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Erie, PA
Posts: 1,771

Bikes: Bacchetta Giro 20, Trek 7000, old Huffy MTB, and a few others

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by RaleighSport
I don't waste my time recabling them honestly, the dump is plentiful with strippable cheap mtb frames, REI charges about 20 bucks for a set new as well, and of course there's always the odd scores, in terms of the grip shifters that it.
The replacement set from the donor bike allowed for an easy re-cable, so I was good with that. Just need to get the rear derailleur to match now, since it didn't seem to be compatible. Hopefully it works. Kinda sucks when you can't test ride a bike before you buy it because it's for your kid and too small for you. But looking at it, I knew it needed a new set of cables and it wasn't adjusted properly. Just didn't expect to run into disposable parts (I didn't know they existed).
chandltp is offline  
Old 12-14-11, 08:12 AM
  #11  
Banned.
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 937

Bikes: CCM Torino 76

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by chandltp
The replacement set from the donor bike allowed for an easy re-cable, so I was good with that. Just need to get the rear derailleur to match now, since it didn't seem to be compatible. Hopefully it works. Kinda sucks when you can't test ride a bike before you buy it because it's for your kid and too small for you. But looking at it, I knew it needed a new set of cables and it wasn't adjusted properly. Just didn't expect to run into disposable parts (I didn't know they existed).
They weren't meant to be disposable - they are just very cheap and difficult to service, so disposal and replacement becomes a preferred option.
DCB0 is offline  
Old 12-14-11, 11:41 AM
  #12  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
chandltp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Erie, PA
Posts: 1,771

Bikes: Bacchetta Giro 20, Trek 7000, old Huffy MTB, and a few others

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by DCB0
They weren't meant to be disposable - they are just very cheap and difficult to service, so disposal and replacement becomes a preferred option.
Well, once I get this working I may disect one to figure out the proper way to replace the cable.
chandltp is offline  
Old 12-14-11, 01:03 PM
  #13  
Hogosha Sekai
 
RaleighSport's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: STS
Posts: 6,672

Bikes: Leader 725, Centurion Turbo, Scwhinn Peloton, Schwinn Premis, GT Tequesta, Bridgestone CB-2,72' Centurion Lemans, 72 Raleigh Competition

Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 21 Times in 15 Posts
Originally Posted by chandltp
Well, once I get this working I may disect one to figure out the proper way to replace the cable.
I still have a ton of grip shifters I do experiments with from that pile, haven't had success yet but mine are mostly trash, let us know how ya do.
RaleighSport is offline  
Old 12-14-11, 01:20 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Oxnard, CA
Posts: 4,571

Bikes: 2009 Fuji Roubaix RC; 2011 Fuji Cross 2.0; '92 Diamond Back Ascent EX

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 16 Times in 12 Posts
Originally Posted by chandltp
The replacement set from the donor bike allowed for an easy re-cable, so I was good with that. Just need to get the rear derailleur to match now, since it didn't seem to be compatible. Hopefully it works. Kinda sucks when you can't test ride a bike before you buy it because it's for your kid and too small for you. But looking at it, I knew it needed a new set of cables and it wasn't adjusted properly. Just didn't expect to run into disposable parts (I didn't know they existed).
SRAM uses a different pull ratio on some of their stuff (1:1 vs. Shimano standard of 2:1) so that may be the problem.
CACycling is offline  
Old 12-14-11, 02:20 PM
  #15  
cowboy, steel horse, etc
 
LesterOfPuppets's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: The hot spot.
Posts: 44,804

Bikes: everywhere

Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12636 Post(s)
Liked 7,528 Times in 3,989 Posts
I think the method Gonzo Bob mentioned would be the way for that shifter.

Here's a video:

LesterOfPuppets is offline  
Old 12-15-11, 05:51 AM
  #16  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
chandltp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Erie, PA
Posts: 1,771

Bikes: Bacchetta Giro 20, Trek 7000, old Huffy MTB, and a few others

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by CACycling
SRAM uses a different pull ratio on some of their stuff (1:1 vs. Shimano standard of 2:1) so that may be the problem.
Yea, that seems to be the case.. I'm hoping I'll get to swap out the derailleur today or tomorrow.
chandltp is offline  
Old 12-15-11, 05:55 AM
  #17  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
chandltp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Erie, PA
Posts: 1,771

Bikes: Bacchetta Giro 20, Trek 7000, old Huffy MTB, and a few others

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by LesterOfPuppets
I think the method Gonzo Bob mentioned would be the way for that shifter.
On this particular shifter, there is no hole on the inside of the shifter as seen at 1:44. I tried pulling it apart before, but it wouldn't budge. My replacement shifters to look exactly like that though.
chandltp is offline  
Old 12-15-11, 10:50 AM
  #18  
Fred-ish
 
rogerstg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 1,800
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by chandltp
On this particular shifter, there is no hole on the inside of the shifter as seen at 1:44. I tried pulling it apart before, but it wouldn't budge. My replacement shifters to look exactly like that though.
But have you discovered why the allen screw is there? It's not likely that it's a decoration. FWIW, it looks like the assembly where the cable enters may slide away from the twister; off the key-way shown in the first picture.
rogerstg is offline  
Old 12-15-11, 10:59 AM
  #19  
cowboy, steel horse, etc
 
LesterOfPuppets's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: The hot spot.
Posts: 44,804

Bikes: everywhere

Mentioned: 71 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12636 Post(s)
Liked 7,528 Times in 3,989 Posts
Originally Posted by chandltp
On this particular shifter, there is no hole on the inside of the shifter as seen at 1:44. I tried pulling it apart before, but it wouldn't budge. My replacement shifters to look exactly like that though.
Oh, yes, I have some SRT-600 shifters that also do not have the "hole on the inside of the shifter". Aside from that detail, cable change procedure for them goes just like in that video, however.

Interesting unrelated to the task at hand tidbit: if you're really careful and lucky you can actually replace cables on the shifters in the video without shifter disassembly.
LesterOfPuppets is offline  
Old 12-15-11, 11:17 AM
  #20  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
chandltp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Erie, PA
Posts: 1,771

Bikes: Bacchetta Giro 20, Trek 7000, old Huffy MTB, and a few others

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by rogerstg
But have you discovered why the allen screw is there? It's not likely that it's a decoration. FWIW, it looks like the assembly where the cable enters may slide away from the twister; off the key-way shown in the first picture.
I've loosened both allen screws trying to take it apart. I know the one held it to the handlebar. Maybe I need to take the other one completely out to disassemble it. I'm planning to work on it this afternoon, so maybe I'll try that first. Although with where I'm at, swapping out the derailleur will be easier, and the replacement parts are in better condition.
chandltp is offline  
Old 12-15-11, 02:39 PM
  #21  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
chandltp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Erie, PA
Posts: 1,771

Bikes: Bacchetta Giro 20, Trek 7000, old Huffy MTB, and a few others

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
There was no second allen screw on this one.. I was thinking of the replacement one.

Anyway, I can get it to shift from the largest to smallest or the smallest to largest perfectly with the current derailleur by adjusting the cable tension, but not both. I'm guessing that with this being a kids bike, something might be bent with the rear derailleur, but I don't know what to look for. Suggestions?
chandltp is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
corrado33
Bicycle Mechanics
18
07-17-15 11:35 AM
ak08820
Bicycle Mechanics
2
08-24-14 04:46 PM
BROOKLINEBIKER
Bicycle Mechanics
13
03-10-14 08:23 AM
werwer2012
Bicycle Mechanics
2
03-11-13 11:23 AM
alanturing
Bicycle Mechanics
2
03-08-10 09:15 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.