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Close, on the basis that I dont have problems with chainline and setting up the derailleur, to rebuilding my hardtail and realised I need to cut the gear cable and outer for one section on my C456; guessing my kitchen knife is a bad idea and need the appropriate tool for the job. So, do I need to order something from CRC and wait till next week (wanted to ride it this weekend) or can I get something from a hardware store, or dare I say it, Halfords?
Thanks
Decent set of electricians snips from your local shed will so it.
Amazon prime or lbs.
My Bikehut cable cutters are a decent bit of kit, if there's a Halfords close then they're a good option.
Hacksaw will cut the outer, you might ned a wee pokie thing to make sure the inner hole is clear afterwards. And wee snips should cur the inner. Even a scissors if you're not fussed about it fraying
You could always go to your local LBS and expect them to cut the cable FOC.
After all, they have the tools and its only 'just' a 5 minute job !!!!!
Halfords or Prime.
Outs one of those tools that you really should own. Saves so much hassle, just does the job "right".
I started this way and now have a pretty expansive tool collection.Lol Makes spannering much more pleasurable though.
However, when changing bearings I still always end up having to bodge some tool together at some point! 😒
I'm surprised to hear of someone doing their own spannering who doesn't already own a pair of wire cutters. I've got about a dozen of them inherited/bought from various sources (that's including pliers with a wire cutter section).
I ran into this a while ago and ended up buying a new pair of snips in Decathlon (super cheap Uniors so all good!).
Over the next few weeks more and more tools turned out to be missing.
Then I discovered my houseguest had been 'tidying' tools into the cellar...
If you really need to use a pair of poor snips that aren't going to go straight through and might not leave the squarest edge, make a 90deg bed first and cut beyond that.
I think it’s one of those things where it’s worth spending a little more
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/park-tool-professional-cable-and-housing-cutter-cn-10/
If you've got a dremmel type thing, the cutting discs make a good job of the outers.
Thing is, if you buy ones that are labelled 'bike' then you pay a premium....same for grease, dot fluid, etc.
Go to a Screwfix and get something like this...
Will work just as well, and be cheaper.
I was going to suggest Screwfix bought a cheap cable cutter from them years ago still going strong.
Thanks All. Screwfix looks like the jobbie for me.
I have the odd tool from over the years, and having used a mixture of mates and friendly neighbourhood lbs’s in the past, the last couple of years I’ve tried to man-up and do the bigger jobs myself and not bother anyone or my wallet.
Thanks
^^ Method you know it you will have 2 torque wrenches too....
I bought one for the high torque stuff..... Then got a small one for the "be careful" carbon stuff I now own! Lol
Slippery slope!
It's lovely having all the right tools for the job though... unless you can't find them when you need them! Grrrr!
Bike cable cutters are geared a lot better than those Magnusson ones, or maybe you all have hands like a gorilla.
Another vote for a proper cable cutter (mine is only a relatively inexpensive one, but it's still 10x better than normal side snips) and don't forget to finish off the ends of your outer cable after cutting it, to remove any burrs and get the cut end nice and sharp and perpendicular to the cable run. (this helps avoid compression in the outer cable, which makes shifting more accurate)
Got a set of these Draper Experts myself as recommended from someone on here, really good for the price.
Leave a little bit of inner inside when you snip it - helps keep it from deforming. Just don't go chopping your new inner too short, use the spare at the end or an old cable.
I find a dart makes an excellent poking tool to reshape the end if it does get a bit crushed. I keep an old one in the toolbox for just that purpose. Well, that and general poking duties.