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    Cable ends caps – how to crimp properly or should I just superglue?


    Please could you give advice how to fix these end caps on cables? Whenever I have tried they either cut all the way through, totally crush the cable ends or appear to be attached and when I try testing to see how secure they come off – and I've frayed the cable!!

    Is there a proper easy technique?

    Is it just easier and equally as good to dab a bit of superglue on?

    I'm aware there are experts on here who find all these things very easy but I'm a ham fisted unconfident beginner.

    Thanks for any advice

    by Peckerhead42

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    40 Comments

    2. tsfto on

      Use the wire cutter part of the pliers and gently crush the cable end in at least three spots. Not enough to cut it, just crush it. An electrical cable crimp tool would work well too.

      Or, use vice-grips for a more even and thorough crush. Or, get the purpose-built crimping tools.

      Whatever method you use, you want the aluminum to be squeezed so that the wires in the cable get embedded in it a bit, and over as much area as possible. That’s what makes a strong connection.

    3. BigSexyWelshman on

      I’ve always just used a pair of old wire cutters. I give it a light squeeze just being careful that it doesn’t cut through. Is that the right way? Probably not, but it’s always worked for me.

    4. TimeTomorrow on

      use the needle nose pliers. make sure the cable goes all the way in. Use just the very tip of the needle nose pliers, you do not need to crush the entire cap. come at it sideways and use just the tip. not the cutting section. put the tip of the needle nose right above the bump at the base of the cap. squeeze hard.

      The cable end should look crushed where you have crimped it.

      https://preview.redd.it/muaxuwfvfz7g1.png?width=1400&format=png&auto=webp&s=43679e40dfc4898eb42ce131f99fd79fead87c36

      There are some other good suggestions in here, but a lot of you are suggestions solutions that require finesse that op clearly doesn’t have so this option is pretty noob proof.

    5. thecursh on

      I like the park tool needle nose for the reason they have a cable end crumpet integrated further back towards the pivot

    6. Opposite_Birthday590 on

      The tool on your left, dont crimp the tips of the end caps since they are tougher, but the shaft of it. If you have your pliers on the shaft, with some force, should be able to crimp it.

    9. ColonelRPG on

      My cable cutter has a crimping surface so that’s what I use. There are dedicated crimpers if you care to buy one, but I don’t have any.

    10. Antti5 on

      I like the Jagwire cable cutter linked to in the other comment because it has a good crimper built-in. It’s just super easy and quick to use.

      But for a very long time I just used the cutting section of combination pliers like the ones in your photograph. I would just gently crimp the cap at two different places close to the opening. No need to crush them hard, just so that you cannot easily pull the cap off the cable.

    12. SnollyG on

      Less muscle, more control, Hercules.

      Otherwise use the flat part of the needle nose pliers to crush the end cap.

      Once they’re on, leave them alone.

    13. psyentologists on

      The professional mechanic way of doing this is to grab whichever pair of pliers is nearest to your hands and squeeze.

    15. cardboardunderwear on

      The caps will work and there sis already plenty of good advice on how to use them.

      Ref your superglue idea…no idea…but soldering them is a thing.  Dip the end in flux and hold a solder wire and an soldering iron on the tip.  Def not easier than crimped ends but looks slick.  Or if you don’t have ends available.

    17. Apprehensive-Belt-88 on

      Buy the proper tool from park and squeeze it with the centre part designed to give you 2 nice crimps

    19. audiomortis on

      I always do one crimp towards the bottom then do an X pattern above. I think it looks nice and I’ve never had one move. Looks like this | X

    21. aubreyaubreyagain on

      Please don’t glue them on. If you need to pull the cable for whatever reason while out on the road, that’ll be a huge pain and it may make the repair impossible (glue residue, for instance, may not pull through the housing). A properly crimped end cap will still pull off in an emergency and it takes six seconds to do.

    25. Peckerhead42 on

      Thanks for all the replies and advice. Will give the suggestions a go.

      Have been riding bikes more seriously for 15 years. Understand most of the terms, manufacturer group set hierarchy etc but have never been confident in doing any repairs.

      Hence asking how to crimp cable ends 😅

      Only just sorted out some V brakes today for a friend – none of my bikes have V brakes!!

      2 hydraulic disc bikes and a rim brake steel.

      Can visually inspect a bike for roadworthiness – really need to gain the skills to change a chain and adjust gears.

      Thanks again for all the help – a lot friendlier and quicker replies than on some cycling specific forums with a lot of elitism.

    26. bensambrook89 on

      I’ve got the Park Tool EP-1 which is a specific tool for crimping end caps, it’s absolutely unnecessary but such a nice tool to use that it feels somewhat rewarding when it comes to finishing the cable end off.

    29. PracticalNeanderthal on

      Get the Park Tool CN-10 Cable housing cutters and use the crimper on that.

      It does an excellent job of cutting housings

    30. Blancven on

      If you’re really old school you can solder the ends. Some of us use nail polish. If you are looking for alternatives.

    32. snowy_vix on

      I’ve got a wire crimper because my old man did factory maintenance and I got used to having that available for my bike as a kid, definitely the most effective, if not most economical, option.

    35. gadgetex on

      We also had plastic ones that went on tight back in the day. But yeah dedicated crimper is the way

    36. Spactaculous on

      Long nose pliers work just fine, and you don’t have to be super careful not to cut something. I have seen newbe mechanics squeeze the life out of the pliers on cable ends and it was fine.

      Recently switched to nail polish. Same idea as superglue. Leaves nice and straight cable that you can back out easily.

    39. Northwindlowlander on

      You can buy an electrical ferrule crimper for about a tenner, they do a great job and are easy to use. One of those weird situations where there’s a real, inexpensive tool that nobody knows about

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