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Exercise in patience with shift cablesHow to change shift cables without a war of nerves

Stefan Frey

 · 24.05.2015

Exercise in patience with shift cables: How to change shift cables without a war of nervesPhoto: Georg Grieshaber

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With internally routed shift cables, it is not uncommon for mechanics' nerves to be on edge. A tactical approach and a certain amount of caution are required here. Otherwise, the only thing that helps is nerve-wracking fishing in the frame. We show you the most important steps to prevent this from happening.

Internal gear cables give the bike a tidy look. However, the elegant look comes at a price: if the shift cable comes off or is worn, it can sometimes happen that your patience breaks when replacing it. Fiddling the cable through the inside of the frame to the exit requires skill and nerves of steel. This makes it all the more important to have the right strategy when replacing the shift cable.

The Bowden cable consists of a black plastic sheath and the steel cable that forms the shift cable.Photo: Wolfgang WatzkeThe Bowden cable consists of a black plastic sheath and the steel cable that forms the shift cable.

It is high time for a new shift cable if dirt and wear increase friction and shifting is only possible with a lot of thumb force, or if the chain is reluctant to move downwards when changing to a smaller sprocket. The
The easiest way to replace the cables is to run them outside the frame. If you carelessly pull the old Bowden cable out of the frame when changing internally routed cables, you may spend hours trying to route the new one correctly through the frame again. The following instructions will help you avoid such workshop mishaps.

The shift cable has no cover - what should I do?

The steps described below for changing the internal cables are based on Continuous outer shells (A) tuned. On some bikes, however, the outer casing ends when the shift cable disappears into the frame and only begins again when it emerges.

Internal cables with continuous outer shells (A)Photo: Wolfgang WatzkeInternal cables with continuous outer shells (A)

With exposed trains (B) inside the frame you thread a so-called Liner as a replacement for the outer cover over the shift cable. The new shift cable can then be slid into the liner after the old one has been removed.

Exposed cables (B) inside the framePhoto: Wolfgang WatzkeExposed cables (B) inside the frame

Workshop Changing gear cables

1 Loosen the shift cable: Shift to the smallest sprocket of the cassette and loosen the fixing screw of the shift cable. Before removing the steel cable, memorise how it is attached to the rear derailleur.
Photo: Georg Grieshaber
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Tips for changing the shift cables:

No rattling: With a thin foam cover (for example from Jagwire or Capgo), the annoying rattling of cables can be quickly and easily eliminated. Simply pull the hose over the new outer cover and you're done!Photo: Wolfgang WatzkeNo rattling: With a thin foam cover (for example from Jagwire or Capgo), the annoying rattling of cables can be quickly and easily eliminated. Simply pull the hose over the new outer cover and you're done!With Shimano shifters, open the screw between the two levers. The old shift cable can then be easily removed and the new one inserted. Caution: Here too, the gear lever must be in the heaviest gear, but it does not have to be removed from the handlebars.Photo: Robert NiedringWith Shimano shifters, open the screw between the two levers. The old shift cable can then be easily removed and the new one inserted. Caution: Here too, the gear lever must be in the heaviest gear, but it does not have to be removed from the handlebars.

Relocation helper: Helpful tools for changing the shift cable

If you want to pull a new shift cable into the frame, little helpers can save a lot of time.

Magnet: If the cable does get lost in the frame, you can try to catch it with a magnet. A complete mounting set with liners is available from Parktool. Price: 85 Euro >> available here.

Liner: To change the shift cable, the liner is slid over the old cable and later used as a guide for the new cable. Available from Jagwire. Price: 3 euros.

Curved spoke: Sometimes home remedies help best. If the shift cable seems hopelessly lost in the down tube or the chain stay, it can be hooked back with a converted bent spoke.

Small and effective helpers when changing shift cablesPhoto: Wolfgang WatzkeSmall and effective helpers when changing shift cables

Stefan Frey

Stefan Frey is from Lower Bavaria and loves the mossy, loamy trails of the Bavarian Forest as much as the rugged rock of the Dolomites. For technical descents, he is prepared to tackle almost any ascent - under his own steam. As an accessories specialist, he is the first port of call for questions about equipment and add-on parts, while as head of copywriting he sweeps the language crumbs from the pages of the BIKE print editions.

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