How To Cut Bicycle Brake Cable?

The bike brake cables can be a little tough to handle. Not only do they require a clean cut, but you would also need to ensure they have the right length. Without those, the cable will not move smoothly. And that would eventually make the whole braking mechanism not work correctly, which is something that you do not want.

But the good news is that you can ensure both criteria we mentioned above by learning how to cut bicycle brake cable properly. And while there are different methods out there, we happen to know a fast and effective procedure. Want to know all about that process? You would need to continue reading!

Table of Contents

How to Cut Bicycle Brake Cables?

The thing about handling bike cables is that it gets easier if you follow the correct steps. And by the proper steps, we are referring to these:

Step 1: Get the Right Tools

Before anything else, you would need to ensure that you have the right tools. Here is the list:

Bike brake cable housing
Cable cutter with a crimping tool
Tape measurer

Note that you would need the housings that are specifically for the brakes. Some of the bike shops might hand you over the shift cable housing, which will not work for this process. Those are not that strong and can not buckle that properly.

Step 2: Measure the Cable and Cut the Cable and the Housing

You should not get into cutting right away. Instead, you should first take proper measurements. If you are working with just the crimped end of the cable, you can skip this step. But if you are not, you must ensure that the new line matches the old one.

Take measurements from the old cable and cut the new one accordingly. You will need to use the bike cable cutter for this cutting process. Make sure you have the exact sizing, or else it will be tough for you to get a proper installation on the brake system.

Do the same thing with the new housing. Match the new one with the old one and cut accordingly. You can use a tape measuring tool to get precise cuts.

Step 3: Slide the Cable Through the Cable Housing

Now that you have both the cable and the housing in exact measurement, you need to slide the inner cable through the housing. Then you will need to place the cable properly on the brake lever and the retention clamp.

Use an Allen wrench to ensure each placement is secure and the lever and the clamp securely holding the cable. Without making sure that the line is secure on these points, you are bound to face problems in the future. So, you should pay a good amount of attention to this step.

Step 4: Complete the Installation

At this point, you just need to work with the excess cable. But before that, you must adjust the tension. For that, check the bike lever and see if the cable is appropriately engaging the brake or not. Putting the cycle on the bike stand will make this process much more manageable.

After adjusting the cable properly, use the bike cable cutter and trim the excess. You should leave about 3 inches of line on the end. It will allow you to easily make future adjustments.

Then, crimp the end by sliding an end cap into the cable. Use the crimping tool to ensure that the end of the exposed line does not get frayed over time.

Can You Fix Bike Brake Levers If They Are Not Springing Back?

Yes, you can fix bike brake levers if they are not springing back; however, it is important to understand what might be wrong before you attempt any repairs. If a bike’s brake lever is failing to springe back, then the most likely cause of this issue is a worn out return spring.

This spring is responsible for returning the brake lever back to its original position after it has been depressed. If the spring is worn out, then the bike’s brake lever will not spring back as it should. Fortunately, it is fairly easy to replace the return spring on a bike’s brake lever.

First, you will need to remove the lever from the handlebar by unscrewing the bolts that keep it in place. After this, you can access the return spring and remove it. Finally, you can install a new spring and then reassemble the lever.

With this simple procedure, you should be able to fix the springing issue and have your bike’s brake lever functioning normally again.

Final Words

You can not really ensure a proper braking mechanism on your bike without learning how to cut bicycle brake cable. And as you can see, you just need to follow four simple steps.

So, instead of thinking of relying on a professional, you should just go through the steps correctly and get it done on your own. Why pay for something that you can do yourself?