How long do shifter and brake cables last? I will have will have clocked up about 6000km on my bike(2015 Kona Sutra) by the time I take it on a 3500km tour, and I don't really want to carry spare cables so how long do they normally last? if I change them just before I go on my tour?

If you will have clocked up 6000 km before you leave on your tour in 2016, you'll have a good idea if your cables will last 3500 km.

And yes, change them before you go. Take your bicycle in for a full tune-up before you go.

The cables can last many Ks km. Depends on usage and to some extent weather. Prudent advice is to have the bicycle's condition checked before the trip.

Brad

Some people change cables on a schedule. I carry one derailler and one brake spare cables and I never change them until some strands are starting to break. On some of my bikes the rear derailleur needs a tandem length cable, that is not available in a lot of bike shops so I never travel without one.

I did notice this one when it still had a few strands left. Rear derailleur on a bar end shifter. The shifter was slowly going out of adjustment for several dozen miles so it was time for a good inspection to see why.



It is not a bad idea to put a bit of grease on cables where they repeatedly flex as you shift or brake, that can extend their life a lot. I think this cable was almost 10 years old when it finally needed replacement. And it is the first one that I have had to replace on that bike.

In a different post you asked about duct tape. I carry a small amount of electrical tape, have never seen a need for duct tape. The electrical tape can be useful to put on wear spots on the racks, that can also make panniers quieter on the racks.

In a different post you asked about shoes for platform pedals. I have used trail running shoes on days when my cycling shoes are soaked, the trail runners worked quite well. You need a sole that is pretty stiff. If I used my deck shoes or cheap flip flops on platform pedals my feet would hurt in less than 5 miles. Have you considered doing some searches to find the answers that others have posted to the same questions recently? You are asking a lot of the same questions that repeatedly get asked.

Buy good quality cable that doesn't fray as easily. Cable is relatively cheap. Buy good brake and gear housing as well. I like the kind that has lubricant in it. Learn to replace the cables and do the maintenance on the bike yourself. It is not difficult and will pay dividends when you have the inevitable mechanical issue a long way from a bike shop.

My 1976 build, still has the original Mafac cantilever transverse cables , though I've replaced the main cable from the brake lever several times..

If wanting to be safe, replace cables before the trip.. a single spare gear and brake cable in the bottom of your pannier is really not much of a burden to bear..

nor is a spare spoke or 2..

Change them before you go, and forget about them. Or take a spare, and be aware that if it breaks, you may have to figure out how to replace the cable (and cut it down) far from a friendly bike shop -- or tweak the limit stops and ride with 3-speed.

Cables are about as weightless as a spare part can get.

Personally, I wouldn't even bother replacing them before the trip unless they look like they need it. If you inspect them and they look good and still perform well, there's no need to toss them in the garbage or spend money on new ones when the old ones are fine. Carry a spare if you're worried about it. While not exactly the same, a spare shifter cable will do the trick for a brake cable too until you get to a town with a bike shop. One spare cable doesn't weigh much...

I carry four cables, cut to length. I've not noticed the weight.

It can be hard to run cables depending on your set up if you have to cut them with some expedient device. If you pre-cut and tin them, then they are are ready to go, but you might as well just change them at that point.