Cutting brake/housing

[viet_Cong]

my bike rear brake cable got cut off :/ , but i just bought a universal brake cable that comes with housing too. but my question is. what should i use to cut the cable and housing after i measured the length of my old one? side cutter? or should i use my old housing?

[Joe_W]

Gah! Just saw you opened another thread for this... here is my repost.

I usually go to the LBS with the bike, they estimate the correct length, cut the housing, (roughly) clean the cut and sometimes throw in the ferrules for free. Be sure to use good cable cutters (or special hosing cutters) and tidy up the cut with a file (to make it flat) and an awl (to open the housing again).

Oh, and if the old housing is still in a good condition you can use it. Since housing is not really expensive I usually go for new housing.

[viet_Cong]

(03-17-2010, 04:03 AM)Joe_W Wrote:  Gah! Just saw you opened another thread for this... here is my repost.

I usually go to the LBS with the bike, they estimate the correct length, cut the housing, (roughly) clean the cut and sometimes throw in the ferrules for free. Be sure to use good cable cutters (or special hosing cutters) and tidy up the cut with a file (to make it flat) and an awl (to open the housing again).

Oh, and if the old housing is still in a good condition you can use it. Since housing is not really expensive I usually go for new housing.

sorry, i just joined and accidentally posted this thread on wrong topic, but got moved by a mod.

but yeah, Thanks but should i use side cutter instead of cable cutter?

[Alex Ramon]

Use a good cable cutter for the housing for sure. Side cutter usually squish it too much. Here's a video that may also help: http://bikeride.com/replace-cable-housings/

[viet_Cong]

(03-17-2010, 03:35 PM)Alex Ramon Wrote:  Use a good cable cutter for the housing for sure. Side cutter usually squish it too much. Here's a video that may also help: http://bikeride.com/replace-cable-housings/

what if i use side cutter, then use an awl?

[Alex Ramon]

You could give it a try like that, but I would use some old cable housing first to see if it works.

[viet_Cong]

(03-17-2010, 03:58 PM)Alex Ramon Wrote:  You could give it a try like that, but I would use some old cable housing first to see if it works.

oh ok thanks man! btw should i use my old housing? my old housing is still in good condition, no bents etc. or should i replace a new one?

[Alex Ramon]

If the old one is still in good shape you should be able to use it. Drop some light oil like triflow into the housing before you slide in the new inner wire.

[viet_Cong]

oo ok thank you very much man! helped me a lot to improve my bike.