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I have to remove the bar tape to replace a shifting cable right?

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I have to remove the bar tape to replace a shifting cable right?

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Old 06-02-23, 08:25 PM
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bikecommuter13
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I have to remove the bar tape to replace a shifting cable right?

I have a Fuji touring bike with microshift bar-end shifters. The front shifting cable is broken. I am attempting to replace it myself. I think I have to remove the bar tape first right?

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Old 06-02-23, 08:32 PM
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Steve B.
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If its in good shape, just peel it back, replace cable and housing and re-wrap.
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Old 06-02-23, 08:32 PM
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gkamieneski
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You should be able to replace the inner cable without touching the bar tape if you are not also replacing the cable casing.
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Old 06-02-23, 08:35 PM
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You should be able to avoid removing the bar tape by:
1. Unbolting and removing the shift lever from the shifter body.
2. Pulling the broken cable pieces out of the lever and housing from both ends.
3. Rethreading a new cable into the lever and push it completely through the housing
4. Pull it snug and reattaching the lever to the body.
5. Reattach the cable to the derailleur.

You will need a brand new cable with the derailleur end intact so it will thread through the housing without snagging.
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Old 06-03-23, 08:05 PM
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You can but how old is that tape, what is underneath the tape, how old is the housing and what shape is it in?
You sweat and it gets soaked up by the tape and it just sits against your bars doing who knows what and yeah it might be a little gross in the end it is a little corrosive and can wreak havoc on bars and you wouldn't know till you remove the tape. However in the end this gives you a great opportunity to upgrade all of your cables and housing and get some higher quality stuff for not much money and get better braking and shifting without spending a ton. Plus you can upgrade your tape as well if you want something more or less cushioned or maybe a different feel entirely.

Yes you physically can just replace a single cable but chances are that is the same old stuff that came with the bike and the bike is probably at least a few years old and probably more so doing some good maintenance on it and a little overhauling would be a net good and help the bike last longer but more importantly work better.
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Old 06-04-23, 06:39 AM
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If the housing is intact, you should be able to remove the lever from its base by removing its pivot bolt to replace the cable. Insert the new cable into the lever, feed it through the housing, and re-attach the pivot bolt to hold the lever on the base.
https://microshift.com/wp-content/up...erSH002001.pdf
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Old 06-04-23, 05:58 PM
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Originally Posted by bikecommuter13
I have a Fuji touring bike with microshift bar-end shifters. The front shifting cable is broken. I am attempting to replace it myself. I think I have to remove the bar tape first right?
Where did the cable break? Is the cable housing in reasonable condition?
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Old 06-08-23, 10:31 AM
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bikecommuter13
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Thanks folks. I installed the shift cable by myself . No need to remove the tape. I just had to find the tiny hole to push the cable in.

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