Older bike cables

[Kevoffthetee]

Forgive the stupidity but I'm away from the bike for a few days so unable to check.

As per sig I have a 1990 (ish) Pug Optimum Reynolds 531 and am wanting to overhaul all cables. Stupidly I replaced the grip taped without considering the cables so I'm wondering a) if cable thickness is still the same as current stock and b) can I change the inner brake cables without removing the grip tape. If it helps, the bike has the original shimano rx100 set

Thanks, Kev

 

[fossyant]

Change the inners and outers. No point putting a new cable into an old outer !

 

[smokeysmoo]

Yes standard cables like THESE* are fine.

You should be able to change the inners, but if the outer cables are also old you may struggle to push them through. A flush with some PTFE lube can help.

If I were you I'd take the old cables out and use those to have a play to see how easily you can pass them back through the outers. If in doubt change the outers as well.

They should be fine, and if so you can have them changed quick as a flash

*they come with a Shimano end and a Campag end, you just need to snip off the Campag one.


[EDIT] x posted with fossy.

 

[Gravity Aided]

Change the inners and outers. No point putting a new cable into an old outer !

Very true. I can't recall the number of old bikes, (including my present Cannondale H600) that had good cables, but rusty, crumbling outers, usually in a spot unseen. Sooner or later, both will be rusty and crumbling. Better to replace now, than replace at failure later.

 

[moo]

Follow this simple trick for cutting outers - put some spare inner cable inside before cutting. It will prevent the outer from being crushed.