Replacing brake calipers- change cables?

smd13
smd13 Posts: 91
edited November 2013 in Workshop
Rookie question, but I'm going to replace my own brand cannondale calipers on my road bike with ultegra ones. Should I replace the brake cables at the same time to get the best results? The cables are a few years old and have done big enough miles, but seem to work fine. Might be a stupid question but people talk about replacing gear cables so I wondered...

Comments

  • earthvspace4XTuUWcX
    earthvspace4XTuUWcX Posts: 322
    In your position, yes, I would change the cables too.
  • kajjal
    kajjal Posts: 3,380
    It depends on the state of the cables. If the are heavily worn / showing signs of damage or not pulling smoothly then you can replace them for better performance. The springs on the brake callipers are quite strong so it is normally for more modulated, controlled braking you would replace the cables.
  • John Clark1
    John Clark1 Posts: 268
    Its more than likely that either they will be shot or once you cut the ferrules off there won't be enough cable to go through the new ones and for you to set it all up properly.

    For the sake of a tenner or so for new inners and outers just replace them.

    As an aside, what are you doing with your old calipers?
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    If you're replacing the calipers for improved performance you'd be daft not to go for new inner and outer cables. That will also mean you have to retape the bars.

    If you're just doing it for looks then you could get away with using the existing cables. Just make sure you don't fray the ends of the inner wires. You can even leave the cable end caps in place if you hold the caliper closed and undo the clamp bolts enough.

    Mind you, if it's for looks then you might want to redo the bar tape anyway, in which case you should take the opportunity to replace the cables :D
  • crankycrank
    crankycrank Posts: 1,830
    As long as the cables and housing aren't rusted, cracked, kinked, frayed or damaged it's OK to re-use them. Make sure the cables move freely and aren't gunked up as well. No point in throwing away perfectly good cables.
  • smd13
    smd13 Posts: 91
    thanks for the replies guys.... Was replacing the brakes because I got them cheap enough and my old ones needed new pads so it was like buy the pads + free calipers! Directly after I posted this I realised it involves removing the bartape which I've recently redone, so might just hold off for now and then give it a redo when I replace my levers.
    Just one more question about cables- do people always buy shimano for that groupo or whats the story? I'd tend to stick to the brand but at times it feels like they're robbing you for the name. Thanks for the replies
  • crankycrank
    crankycrank Posts: 1,830
    smd13 wrote:
    Just one more question about cables- do people always buy shimano for that groupo or whats the story? I'd tend to stick to the brand but at times it feels like they're robbing you for the name. Thanks for the replies
    There are a few good alternative brands to Shimano but my favourite is the "Jagwire Racer" cables. As good in every way as Shimano, cheaper and available in more colours. Actually Jagwire make their brake housing
    differently which gives a little firmer feel making it easier to modulate your brakes. I should add that Shimano just came out with some new polyurethane lined shift cables that are supposed to have less drag and some say better than any other cables but are 2-3x more expensive.
  • smd13
    smd13 Posts: 91
    thanks for the info, i'll look into jagwire too
  • pinno
    pinno Posts: 52,448
    Despite manufacturer's claims that their cables are pre-stretched and are stable, I have found that they do stretch. When it comes to gears, there is always a bit of 'bedding in' time before which you end up tinkering with the adjusters or even tightening them.
    If they are in good condition, I really like 'aged' cables - they tend to have done all their stretching.
    seanoconn - gruagach craic!
  • Semantik
    Semantik Posts: 537
    I have got in the habit of changing brake cables as a matter of course every few thousand miles- they are only a few pounds each. I do this because I had a cable snap at the nipple on me while riding once, and it was not a pleasant experience! Painful in fact.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Never yet had a brake cable fail on me, but I'm getting bored with Shimano gear cables fraying inside the shifter :evil:
  • pinno
    pinno Posts: 52,448
    In twentyeleventythree years of cycling, i have only had one brake cable failure when it slid through the clamp on the front caliper on a pair of Shimanooo 105's coming down Butts lane in Eastbaaaaaawn. Actually, to be fair, the 105's then were superb value for money.
    seanoconn - gruagach craic!
  • Semantik
    Semantik Posts: 537
    pinarello001 wrote:
    In twentyeleventythree years of cycling, i have only had one brake cable failure when it slid through the clamp on the front caliper on a pair of Shimanooo 105's coming down Butts lane in Eastbaaaaaawn. Actually, to be fair, the 105's then were superb value for money.

    And in even more years of cycling than that I have only had one brake cable fail on me. I won't be letting it happen again.
  • andrewc3142
    andrewc3142 Posts: 906
    And in 45 years of cycling, also one brake cable failure.

    I guess after one you treat cables as things you replace periodically rather than when there's a problem.

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