I currently only have pliers and it's quite difficult to cut the wire and then straighten the lose bits. Does it make a difference or can I just put the cap on it with this much length?
It’s long but just cap it until you have proper cable cutters. Two finger widths is the norm.
Moof_the_cyclist on
The only real concern is if it gets bent somehow and either makes noise in the spokes or jammed in the disc rotor. I cut my cables to be about an inch long, just long enough to be able to grab and pull when adjusting and no more.
Tall-Paul-UK on
So long as it doesn’t get in your spokes it makes no difference (other than aesthetic).
Dismal_Discipline_76 on
would not try to break the cable with anything but cable cutters
would be a good play to just take it back to the shop and get them to snip the end off with a pair of cable cutters and fit the cap with a pair of pliers
if you go at it with pliers , the cable will likely fray and the stray cable wires will unravel up the cable and cause problems , you could also damage the jaws of the pliers , they will not ‘cut’ the cable , but bite and mince at it .
Working-Promotion728 on
If it’s long enough to get sucked into the rotor, it’s too long. Leave just enough that you have something to grab when adjusting the cable tension.
Brilliant-Witness247 on
That’s too much, but standard for dept stores
fnbr on
Yes, that’s too long, cut it.
Subject_Exercise_598 on
Once you got the bucks.. Just Upgrade to hydraulic type.
I_used_toothpaste on
I’d say it’s too long aesthetically but likely won’t cause you any problems. If you don’t have a cap, wrap the end of the cable with electrical tape until you get a cap.
fenderperry on
I would take about an inch off and then cap it.
oldfrancis on
I recommend a cable length of three fingers and a cap on the end so it doesn’t fray. Make sure to bend the cable slightly out of the way so it doesn’t strike anything.
floormat2 on
That’s too long. Cutting with pliers is harder, but it definitely can be done – you can twist the cable to gather up the bits again and put them into the cap.
As others have said, it’s a safety hazard when it’s that long – I’d rather faff with a cable than go over the bars and ruin a brake!
jonathing on
It’s longer than I would usually leave, a couple of centimetres is generally enough
13 Comments
It’s long but just cap it until you have proper cable cutters. Two finger widths is the norm.
The only real concern is if it gets bent somehow and either makes noise in the spokes or jammed in the disc rotor. I cut my cables to be about an inch long, just long enough to be able to grab and pull when adjusting and no more.
So long as it doesn’t get in your spokes it makes no difference (other than aesthetic).
would not try to break the cable with anything but cable cutters
would be a good play to just take it back to the shop and get them to snip the end off with a pair of cable cutters and fit the cap with a pair of pliers
if you go at it with pliers , the cable will likely fray and the stray cable wires will unravel up the cable and cause problems , you could also damage the jaws of the pliers , they will not ‘cut’ the cable , but bite and mince at it .
If it’s long enough to get sucked into the rotor, it’s too long. Leave just enough that you have something to grab when adjusting the cable tension.
That’s too much, but standard for dept stores
Yes, that’s too long, cut it.
Once you got the bucks.. Just Upgrade to hydraulic type.
I’d say it’s too long aesthetically but likely won’t cause you any problems. If you don’t have a cap, wrap the end of the cable with electrical tape until you get a cap.
I would take about an inch off and then cap it.
I recommend a cable length of three fingers and a cap on the end so it doesn’t fray. Make sure to bend the cable slightly out of the way so it doesn’t strike anything.
That’s too long. Cutting with pliers is harder, but it definitely can be done – you can twist the cable to gather up the bits again and put them into the cap.
As others have said, it’s a safety hazard when it’s that long – I’d rather faff with a cable than go over the bars and ruin a brake!
It’s longer than I would usually leave, a couple of centimetres is generally enough