Best pliers/tool for gear cable?

[Milzy]

What’s the best tool to use on the rear gear cable to pull tight as you pinch up the Allen bolt?
I used these old yellow pliers but have vanished after 20 years so I’m going to get something new.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Any colour pliers will work.

 

[Big John]

A third hand. And Park cable cutter, of course.

 

[EckyH]

A third hand makes things easier, no doubt. In my experience it isn't essential, but nice to have.

Park cable cutter, of course.

Imo a good cable cutter is essential.
Park Tool is always a safe bet. In the same quality range I see Unior and Cyclus Tools.
Less bike specific I like pliers and cutters from Knipex for their quality.

E.

 

[Ajax Bay]

I use locking pliers with a needle nose which I can lock onto the cable and apply tension.
This type (but not this make):

On the RD cable (with the limit screw set correctly on the smallest sprocket) I also screw the H limit screw in one turn, then clamp, then unscrew the turn. This takes up the inevitable slack. And adjust.

 

[Rusty Nails]

Why do you need anything other than your fingers to grip the cable, especially if it has a cable end on it?

The only time I have ever needed help to grip the cable is if someone has cut the cable too short to allow enough purchase, and I certainly don't have a strong grip?

 

[Drago]

Halfords Professional electricians pliers.

 

[mickle]

As a former professional bike mechanic. If you need pliers or other instruments of destruction to pull a gear cable through, either you're doing it wrong or there's something wrong up cable.

 

[Ajax Bay]

Don't think this is is a 'pulling through' thing, it's just holding the cable tight when clamping.
Are you saying, drawing on your experience, you never use pliers on a cable?

on the rear gear cable to pull tight as you pinch up the Allen bolt?

 

[Punkawallah]

Don't think this is is a 'pulling through' thing, it's just holding the cable tight when clamping.
Are you saying, drawing on your experience, you never use pliers on a cable?

As has been said, hand tight should be enough when securing a gear cable. If I’ve had to use needle-nosed pliers, it’s because the previous installer has cut it short. I leave a hands width of cable sticking out from the securing bolt when installing a new one.

 

[fossyant]

Fingers to pull, then I just press the mech inwards as I tighten up the cable.

 

[mickle]

Don't think this is is a 'pulling through' thing, it's just holding the cable tight when clamping.
Are you saying, drawing on your experience, you never use pliers on a cable?

As per the manuf's instructs; Rear derailleur set-up requires the cable to be 'hand tight'.

 

[Milzy]

As a former professional bike mechanic. If you need pliers or other instruments of destruction to pull a gear cable through, either you're doing it wrong or there's something wrong up cable.

It’s not for pulling through, it’s to create tension before snugging the clamp bolt. Good tension creates better snappier shifting.

 

[Milzy]

As has been said, hand tight should be enough when securing a gear cable. If I’ve had to use needle-nosed pliers, it’s because the previous installer has cut it short. I leave a hands width of cable sticking out from the securing bolt when installing a new one.

Yeah sometimes the cable is short. In future I’ll be leaving them longer.

 

[fossyant]

Have you sorted the front mech cable adjuster yet @Milzy