Brake and Gear Cables

[twentysix by twentyfive]

I always used to solder the ends of my cables to stop them from fraying and this was especially useful if cutting down a long cable. In the latter case I could solder around the place I was going to cut and then cut the cable with ease and with no splaying or fraying.

In recent times I have been unable to solder the cables at all. The solder just won't wet the cable material. My solder and soldering irons and flux remain the same so I conclude that the cable material has changed. Does anyone know what's what here as I really prefer the solder solution to this problem.

Do I need RoHS soldering technology B)

 

[accountantpete]

No idea but have you tried

1.The metal deeleys that pinch on.

2. A drop of superglue.

3.Decent cable cutters that leave a neat and tidy cut?

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

No idea but have you tried

1.The metal deeleys that pinch on.

2. A drop of superglue.

3.Decent cable cutters that leave a neat and tidy cut?

Yeah -
#1 tends to splay the ends making re using a mega pain Recently I needed to diagnose my indexing gears problem (they were intermittently slipping) so i wanted to take the cable in and out of the sheathing. It was a real pain B)

#2 I haven't tried but generally I fail to make super glue work

#3 Well my "decent" cutters are a bit old (but are fine on soldered cables) but I predict I'll need to be buying new ones ad nauseam
And the ends will still fray/splay

 

[normgow]

No idea but have you tried

1.The metal deeleys that pinch on.

These little caps are good, an alternative, which I used for a long while, would be aluminium spoke nipples.
I once bought a load of these in an attempt to save weight on wheels but nearly always stripped the thread whilst tensioning spokes so found this other use for them.

 

[tyred]

I always used to solder the ends of my cables to stop them from fraying and this was especially useful if cutting down a long cable. In the latter case I could solder around the place I was going to cut and then cut the cable with ease and with no splaying or fraying.

In recent times I have been unable to solder the cables at all. The solder just won't wet the cable material. My solder and soldering irons and flux remain the same so I conclude that the cable material has changed. Does anyone know what's what here as I really prefer the solder solution to this problem.

Do I need RoHS soldering technology

So it isn't just me. I tried and couldn't solder the gear cable I fitted last night. I just left it but in fairness, it didn't splay at all.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

So it isn't just me. I tried and couldn't solder the gear cable I fitted last night. I just left it but in fairness, it didn't splay at all.

I'm not alone then

But it will splay - especially if you wish to re-use

 

[Big John]

Park cable cutters and end caps. Simples. Never had a problem (apart from finding the cash for the Park cable cutters, of course!).

 

[Tynan]

in a rather pikey moment I used a bit of electrical tape and then went thr whole hog and used bits to do the frame under all the cable rub spots

and 'cut' the bits with my teeth

 

[topcat1]

I burn the cable until it's red, with a lighter then use cable cutters.

 

[Dave5N]

Park cable cutters and end caps. Simples. Never had a problem (apart from finding the cash for the Park cable cutters, of course!).

Yep. Cables dont splay if you put cap on properly.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Yep. Cables dont splay if you put cap on properly.

So what am I doing wrong? I push the cap (aluminium thingy) on and squash it a tiny bit so it doesn't fall off. Then if I remove I reverse the squash by pressing at 90 degrees to re-open the cap and slide off. The act of squashing the first time can and does splay the cable

 

[gwhite]

So what am I doing wrong? I push the cap (aluminium thingy) on and squash it a tiny bit so it doesn't fall off. Then if I remove I reverse the squash by pressing at 90 degrees to re-open the cap and slide off. The act of squashing the first time can and does splay the cable

You are right, it does. I no longer use this method because of this problem so now use heat shrink applied with a Heat Gun (or Hair Dryer if you haven't got one). This makes a very neat job and the cable remains un-frayed.

The reason that soldering no longer works is that now most cables are Stainless steel.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

You are right, it does. I no longer use this method because of this problem so now use heat shrink applied with a Heat Gun (or Hair Dryer if you haven't got one). This makes a very neat job and the cable remains un-frayed.

The reason that soldering no longer works is that now most cables are Stainless steel.

Ah Ha - good one. I suppose "welding" wouldn't work?

Off to the shops for some heat shrink.

Thanks GW