Why change front shift cable as frequently as rear?
04-28-17, 08:31 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
Why change front shift cable as frequently as rear?
As the title says. While starting to change my cables today I had this thought so I didn't change my front cable. If I don't go to the mountains I may easily go a couple weeks never in the small ring. The front doesn't get used. Call me lazy, but I happily did a half-assed job today.
04-28-17, 08:36 AM
#2
Senior Member
As the title says. While starting to change my cables today I had this thought so I didn't change my front cable. If I don't go to the mountains I may easily go a couple weeks never in the small ring. The front doesn't get used. Call me lazy, but I happily did a half-assed job today.
04-28-17, 08:37 AM
#3
Chases Dogs for Sport
I never, ever change my shift cables. Never adjust them, either. And my shifting is as crisp today as on the day I bought the bike.
(Yes, it's Di2, but I have to confess that one reason I ponied up the extra for Di2 was to avoid the annual / semi-annual ritual of replacing cables, re-wrapping bars, and adjusting derailleurs/cables. In other words, I COMPLETELY understand the desire to skip one cable replacement. I paid good money to do the same!)
(Yes, it's Di2, but I have to confess that one reason I ponied up the extra for Di2 was to avoid the annual / semi-annual ritual of replacing cables, re-wrapping bars, and adjusting derailleurs/cables. In other words, I COMPLETELY understand the desire to skip one cable replacement. I paid good money to do the same!)
04-28-17, 08:45 AM
#4
Senior Member
As the title says. While starting to change my cables today I had this thought so I didn't change my front cable. If I don't go to the mountains I may easily go a couple weeks never in the small ring. The front doesn't get used. Call me lazy, but I happily did a half-assed job today.
04-28-17, 08:49 AM
#5
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04-28-17, 08:49 AM
#6
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I change the front cable when I change the housings as a matter of habit, but I've never noticed any issues with it and no fraying. It doesn't get used very frequently.
04-28-17, 08:54 AM
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Cables break through metal fatigue as they bend on and off the lever drum. So, it's about how often you shift, and for most people that means the front cable should last 5-10 (or more) times as long as the rear.
I suspect that the FD cable will outlast the housing, which may fail from age, or physical abuse, so I'd leave it alone until I needed to replace the housing, at which time, I'd replace both.
I suspect that the FD cable will outlast the housing, which may fail from age, or physical abuse, so I'd leave it alone until I needed to replace the housing, at which time, I'd replace both.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
04-28-17, 08:58 AM
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No need to buy them in a set.
Example: https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...7&category=673
Example: https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...7&category=673
04-28-17, 09:09 AM
#9
Senior Member
I had it happen on both 5700 and 6800. Yep, it always frays and breaks inside the shifter. I should really just learn my lesson and replace the rear cable every 3000 miles.
04-28-17, 09:11 AM
#10
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Thread Starter
Same. What group do you have? I'm on 5700 and it eats the rear cable in the lever body. Always frays and fails just behind the cable anchor.
I change the front cable when I change the housings as a matter of habit, but I've never noticed any issues with it and no fraying. It doesn't get used very frequently.
I change the front cable when I change the housings as a matter of habit, but I've never noticed any issues with it and no fraying. It doesn't get used very frequently.
I do it b/c I don't want it to break on a fun group ride. A lot of my friends do the ride it till it breaks method but they always seem to end up breaking it during a ride that's important to them. So, I just change mine earlier. However, I do think I'm going to stop changing the front simply b/c I think that it's a waste.
04-28-17, 09:19 AM
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I do it b/c I don't want it to break on a fun group ride. A lot of my friends do the ride it till it breaks method but they always seem to end up breaking it during a ride that's important to them. So, I just change mine earlier. However, I do think I'm going to stop changing the front simply b/c I think that it's a waste.
If they broke at the end of a trainer session or something that would be nice.
04-28-17, 09:21 AM
#12
Senior Member
No need to buy them in a set.
Example: https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...7&category=673
Example: https://www.universalcycles.com/shop...7&category=673
DA SHIFT INNER CABLE
1.2X2000MM STAINLESS
Y60098900
04-28-17, 09:25 AM
#13
Senior Member
This is definitely murphy's law in action, can confirm. My 2 most recent cable breakages were on the first lap of a race that I felt pretty good about, and in the first 3 miles of my favorite Sunday group ride on a beautiful day.
If they broke at the end of a trainer session or something that would be nice.
If they broke at the end of a trainer session or something that would be nice.
but if not watch out for the first sign of funky shifting.
04-28-17, 09:25 AM
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I've broken the rear shift cable once on a Campy-equipped road bike, and about three times on my Shimano-equipped foul-weather/touring bike.
The maddening thing is that every time it happens, I realize afterward that the shifting was getting crappy for about 20 miles prior, due to the frayed cable catching on the inside of the shifter. But I just thought it needed adjustment.
The maddening thing is that every time it happens, I realize afterward that the shifting was getting crappy for about 20 miles prior, due to the frayed cable catching on the inside of the shifter. But I just thought it needed adjustment.
04-28-17, 10:09 AM
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I've got Red on the bike & I have never broken a cable on this bike. Actually the cables look good when I remove them.
I do it b/c I don't want it to break on a fun group ride. A lot of my friends do the ride it till it breaks method but they always seem to end up breaking it during a ride that's important to them. So, I just change mine earlier. However, I do think I'm going to stop changing the front simply b/c I think that it's a waste.
I do it b/c I don't want it to break on a fun group ride. A lot of my friends do the ride it till it breaks method but they always seem to end up breaking it during a ride that's important to them. So, I just change mine earlier. However, I do think I'm going to stop changing the front simply b/c I think that it's a waste.
I've got Red as well, & so thought I could ignore a reminder to change the cable, especially as I had inspected it a couple of times & seen no wear. It broke one or two rides later, but single-speed builds character, right?
04-28-17, 10:37 AM
#16
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04-28-17, 11:27 AM
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04-28-17, 11:44 AM
#19
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Same. What group do you have? I'm on 5700 and it eats the rear cable in the lever body. Always frays and fails just behind the cable anchor.
I change the front cable when I change the housings as a matter of habit, but I've never noticed any issues with it and no fraying. It doesn't get used very frequently.
I change the front cable when I change the housings as a matter of habit, but I've never noticed any issues with it and no fraying. It doesn't get used very frequently.
04-28-17, 11:46 AM
#20
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Agree. I should probably just change RD cable every time I change the chain, I get about 3000ish miles from a chain.
04-28-17, 12:41 PM
#22
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. It basically became a challenge to try to stay attached to the main group as long as possible.
04-28-17, 12:45 PM
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04-28-17, 02:10 PM
#24
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I change them when they break. My '92 Campy Chorus group ate front derailleur cables but not rear. I guess it depends on which group eats which cables.
04-28-17, 02:47 PM
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I don't even remember the last time I changed shift cables, but now that I'm using Sram Force shifters, I'm hoping for the same durability.