Cabling Compatibility Question
 

Im endeavoring to install new cables and housings on a late 90s KHS Aero Comp road bike. It has an indexed shimano SIS rear shifter and friction front shifter - downtube shifters.
Question:
1-
Is there one type cable/housing I can use for everything or do I need different products for the Indexed/friction applications?
2-
Any recommendations on a specific product?
3-
I think I need cable, housings, housing terminations, Crimping ends, cable cutter and crimping tool. What else do I need?
4-
how does one determine the length of housing needed for rear derailleur and brake levers?

Many thanks!

Thanks for the resource!

You need:

• a set of 2 brake cables and brake housing for the brakes.
• 2 derailleur cables and a small amount of derailleur/SIS housing for the connection from chainstay stop to rear derailleur.
• a plastic bottom bracket cable guide if there isn't one on there.
• a good cable cutter or a Dremel with a cutoff wheel to cut the housing, ****s to cut the cable, and an awl or other pokey thing to open up the liner.

You do not need a crimper. The housing ferrules are typically friction fit. Use a **** with a light touch to crimp the cable ends.

It might be cheapest just to buy a housing cable set, though you won't need most of the shifter housing with DT shifters.

Oh I forgot. Let me mispell it. ****s are dikes or diagonal cutters.

Don’t use indexed shift cable housing (parallel strands of wire running the length of the housing) for brakes! It is not strong enough for the high compressive loads generated when braking, and could very possibly fail at the worst possible moment. But the same housing is needed for reliable indexed shifting. Be generous in that loop to the rear derailleur.

This is very helpful! Thanks!

pro tip: you can use diagonal cutters to cut shift and brake cables (wires)
if you use a piece of tape (any kind, masking will do) on the cable where
you plan to cut. peel off after cutting tape keeps cable from fraying.
used this old skool trick in the shop when my cable cutters wore out.

Excellent ! Thank you for this tip.