Is there a difference between brake and shifter cable housing?
Just like with cables, housing comes in two different types; brake and shifter. From the outside they may look the same – but they are in fact very different. Brake housing is built around a wire that coils down the length of the cable. Shifter cables see different forces so the housing is built differently.
Can I use brake cables housing for shifter?
It’s really not recommended. Brake cable housings have a coiled metal spiral embedded in them, while compressionless shift cables have a series of tiny round wires running parallel along the length of housing. If you were to use brake cable housings on shift cables the result can be very poor shifting.
Are shift cables and brake cables the same?
One major difference in MTB vs road BRAKE cable is the different sizes and styles of head: road cables have mushroom like ends where as MTB brake cables have barrel like ends. Shifter cable ends are the same. Brake cables are thicker, typically 1.5/1.6mm in diameter.
Should I replace shifter cable housing?
Housing most commonly needs replacement when the lubrication in the liner has washed or otherwise worn away, or if contaminants have worked their way inside. Either of these is difficult to see, but will affect the movement of the cable within the housing.
Do brake cables need housing?
Sizing Housing Brake and gear housing allow the wire to be routed around bends and connects the levers to the frame stops. The less drag on the cables, the better the shifting and braking performance. Housing that is too short will kink and bind, creating even more friction.
How long is shifter cable housing?
Sizing Housing The less drag on the cables, the better the shifting performance. Housing that is too short will kink and bind, creating even more friction. As a rule of thumb, try to size the housing so it is as short as possible but it still enters the stops and barrel adjusters in a straight approach.
What is the end of a brake cable called?
Brake cables are commonly sold with two ends. The mushroom or teardrop end is for the drop bar style lever. The round or disc end is for the upright handlebar brake lever. So here we will remove the mushroom end.
How long should a shifter cable last?
With that being said, your shift selector cable doesn’t have a specified lifespan. It lasts as long as it lasts. In most cases, you should get at least five to eight years out of it, but premature failure isn’t uncommon.
How much does it cost to replace a shifter cable?
The average cost to replace a shifter cable in an automatic transmission is between $290 and $330, with parts priced around $125 and labor priced between $165 and $205. The average cost to replace a shifter cable in a manual transmission is between $200 and $450.