Internal Bike Cable Hacks | How To Replace Internal Brake & Gear Cables

Internal cable routing on a road bike not only looks clean but also offers better aerodynamics. However replacing internal gear cables and brake hoses can be a struggle, so Jon shares his top hacks to make it easier.

Do you have any hacks to make internal cable routing easier? Share them in the comments below 🔧

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Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound:
Always Awake - Elliptik
Never Not Good - Gettz G
Procrastination - Veevel
Siebster - Twelwe

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[gcntech]

Do you have any hacks to make internal cable routing easier? Share them in the comments below 🔧

[bkmontgomery]

I've found that a long string of explicatives while pushing the cables often helps.

[pdsnpsnldlqnop]

Jon - next time you are on a factory tour, can you find out how this is done on the production line? You could record a few of these things, e.g. how handlebar tape is done in a factory. There are tiers of how these things are done, bike workshop skills make it 10x quicker than the guy at home, factory production line techniques must be 10x faster and more consistent than bike shop ways. It would be good to have a show showing these ultra-ultra slick ways of doing things.

[Whippasnapper]

My mrs's is a Dr and holy moly whenever I am redoing cables I bribe her to give me a hand because these gals are trained to push and pull bits of muscle, ligament whatever inside us and that translates into being dam good at routing cables too.

[Drzhounder]

THIS is the kind of video I need! As a part time mechanic at the LBS I’m learning all kinds of tricks. The idea of going in and having one or two of mine own up my sleeve, brilliant.

[pstokes]

Before removing the old inner cable superglue some fishing line or thread to the end. When you pull out the old cable the fishing line comes through the frame with it providing a trace for the new cable. All you do then is cut the fishing line from the old and glue it to the end new cable now just pull the new cable through the frame with the line.

[backpacker]

RULE #1 --- Never ever ever pull the cable out of a properly routed component without running a guide tube in first. Don't put yourself back at square one when there's no need. - Nice DIY cable grabbing pick, Jon... definite hack!

[RyanRKJ]

Thanks. The coiled out brake cable housing trick bailed me out when helping my buddy with his internally routed Giant Defy.

[ryanmack]

they make a barb that has the opposite threads on each side, you place it in between the new housing you want to run and the old housing you are removing. use a 2nn hex key to tighten them together, then simply pull the old housing out and the new housing is pulled though. Great little gadget, I believe it comes in sram hydraulic hose set up kits. Obviously this only works with previously installed housing. Being a bike mechanic most of my repairs come with housing already run, and this trick saves me tons of time everyday! Also the slick liners are great for bare wire replacement. I remove all cables with a slick liner and tape it with masking tape to the frame, this prevents you from crossing derailleur cables in the down tube. I do both of these tricks a dozen times a day, both work great!!

[timparry]

Wow! This video provides major ammunition for The Fellowship of External Cable Routing Lovers.

[julmeissonnier]

Great tips. It only takes once pulling everything out the frame completely to painfully learn that there must be a better way and to start looking for better options!!!!

[renegadeflyer]

I found a strong magnetic will help pull the cable in the desired direction while pushing it through.
Great video

[ebeneezergd]

Yes! Google 3-Claw Parts Retriever - they are part of computer toolkits and AMAZING at grabbing cables and another things from small places. They grip pretty well!

[webnation]

I liked this video better than the other internal cable video from GCN

[rodders]

Without a doubt using the Park Tools internal routing kit is probably the best £50 I’ve spent. It makes doing the job easy.

[eLpELoNdeJaPoN]

This answer my potential question... No need of internal wiring tool if you just use a normal cable brake/shifting system. All I need is a little home made tool as in the video . Thanks for sharing this.

[backpacker]

I will say from experience, Jon is right about removing the bottom bracket. It may seem like a hassle, but it will save you time and trouble in the long run, and give you absolute confidence the cable was routed properly.

[markrobinson]

Remove the wheels and you can then twist and turn your frame for gravity to help it towards the exit hole, also solder the last inch of cable to give it more weight, it won't then twist and turn inside as much.

[nirvansuntheren]

Jon is not only a good bike mechanic but he also does gardening. Wow😂

[robbchastain]

Thanks, Jon, for mentioning that Lasty has mad routing skillz, too. He seems to keep a lot under his hat.