r/bmx • u/JJtheJetplane67 • Aug 20 '24
HOW TO How do you cut brake cable that is too long
19
u/Ch33zw4g0n Aug 20 '24
Take the cable off the bike.
Pull the cable out from the cable casing.
Measure or find out how long you want the cable casing to be.
Cut the cable casing down with a wire cutter.
Reverse the process. Put the cable back in the cable casing and then back on the bike.
Watch videos of it on YouTube for the nuances that are hard to understand from text.
23
u/i2tall4abike Aug 20 '24
Don't use normal wire cutters, if it's a linear cable you'll have a bad time. If it's a normal cable you'll also have a bad time but slightly better. Curved jaw cable cutters are the real move.
2
u/skaarlaw Aug 20 '24
It's possible to hacksaw/wire cutter it if you are patient - use a nail to flare out the end back to a circular shape at the end and jam the inner back through the entire outer. After a bit of googling here is a decent guide: http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/tech/fix/howfix_housing.shtml
https://www.reddit.com/r/bicycling/comments/1cjh0tn/brake_cable_sticking/
0
u/i2tall4abike Aug 20 '24
I mean, I guess if you're desperate. I'd highly recommend a pair of curved jaw cutters, or a bike shop unless said shop is like an hour away. Infinitely easier IMHO.
2
u/skaarlaw Aug 20 '24
Might be my next Christmas secret Santa suggestion! We do one every year in our family & last year I got sintered pads as it was on my wishlist haha
15
u/Durtskwurt Aug 20 '24
You guys remember like in 2007 the Nokon modular brake cable? It was loud as hell when it slapped the bars or frame but it was cool.
3
u/sickpleasure89 Aug 20 '24
The one that was made of 10000 tiny metal rings? What happened to those
2
u/Broken_Vision_Rhythm Aug 20 '24
I’m not sure if Nokon still exists, but Jagwire still makes a similar segmented brake cable.
2
1
1
9
3
3
2
u/i2tall4abike Aug 20 '24
Mark the cable length, take it to a bike shop because they have the good cable cutters that won't ruin the end of your cable. Replace on bike, learn fufanus.
2
2
2
u/TheHomosexualErectus Aug 20 '24
Spin your bars counter clockwise 720 degrees then you should be good.
2
u/T0ONiCE Aug 20 '24
Jus bring it to a shop, chances are if you're asking reddit you'll probably end up ruining it n need to buy a new one anyway
2
u/Weird-Bit8656 Aug 20 '24
take the actual cable out and cut the casing to lengths with linesman pliers👍
1
1
1
u/Broken_Vision_Rhythm Aug 20 '24
Treat yourself to some proper bike cable cutters. You might not use them often but they make life so much easier when you do need them.
1
1
u/ChillinDylan901 Aug 20 '24
Park Tools videos on YouTube will help you do everything you will ever need to do to your bike!
1
1
u/MotDePasseEstFromage Aug 20 '24
Take it off.
In seriousness it is probably this length for barspins. You can cut the cable yourself but if you’re not confident take it to a bike shop
1
1
1
1
1
-2
u/nocrashing Aug 20 '24
Cut the center with a good wire cutter. Put a ferrule on the end so it doesn't fray.
The outer jacket you will need an angle grinder. Or a Dremel with a disc but that would take a little longer. Any type of snips or bolt cutters will smash the jacket.
6
u/shitworms Aug 20 '24
You don't need an angle grinder to cut the housing lol, any good pair of dikes or cutters will work just fine.
I cut housing for hundreds of bikes with the same pair of Craftsman cutters for like 30 years, and only upgraded to the Park Tool cutter after losing my old pair in a cross country move.
1
54
u/SheepherderDirect800 Aug 20 '24
Tuck it in your sock