Is it hard to push or twist your shifters? Does your bike hesitate before changing gears? These are all signs that you may be due for new cable and housing. The good news? It’s a relatively inexpensive repair, one with immediately noticeable results.
First, some definitions:
Cable: Your bike’s derailleurs, and possibly brakes, are controlled by strands of stainless steel which are woven together to form a strong cable. Brake and derailleur cables come in one length, and are then trimmed down once installed.
Housing: This is what the cable runs through. Typically 4 or 5 millimeters in diameter and available in a multitude of colors, the housing protects the cable from the elements, and act as a guide to reduce friction when the cable must bend to reach the brakes or derailleur. Some bikes use full length housing, while others use several pieces with the bare cable running in between.
Ferrules: This is the term for the end caps which go on the housing. Ferrules act as a guide for the cable, and prevent the wires inside the housing from fraying.
Why should you replace your cable and housing? Think about the mud, dirt, rain and road grime your bike has been exposed to. Remember all those puddles you splashed through this winter? Well, some of that dirt worked its way into your housing. Imagine trying to push a piece of uncooked spaghetti though a straw. Pretty easy, right? Now, what if that straw was full of mud? This is what happens when your housing becomes contaminated – it takes extra force to pull the cable through.
Sometimes the contamination happens so slowly that you get used to the extra force required to shift through your gears. But, install new cable and housing and you’ll notice how much better your shifting feels, and wonder why you waited so long.
So, if it’s been a while since you showed your drivetrain some love, drop your bike off at the shop for a tune, or stop by to pick up the necessary supplies to do the repairs yourself.
Ride on!
Fairhaven Bike & Ski 