How to Cut Bike Cable Without Cable Cutters?

No matter how good your stock brake cable is, it will start to feel sluggish after a certain time. And with a worn line for the brakes, you will be putting yourself at risk and the people around you. Yes, a worn cable might not be capable of adequately engaging the brake.

Now, getting a replacement for the line is pretty straightforward. But if you do not have a suitable cutter, you can not work with the new cable properly. Or can you? Well, if you learn how to cut bike cable without cable cutters, you can certainly work with the line without any issues. And that is what you can learn from this guide!

How to Cut Bicycle Cable Without Cable Cutters?

Basically, can use other tools to cut the brake cables of the bicycle. And in this segment, we will give you a decent idea of each tool. So, let us get started, shall we?

A Rotary Dremel

Usually used for sanding, grinding, polishing, and honing a lot of different materials, the rotary Dremel can cut through the bike cable without any issues. You just need to ensure that the tool has the proper attachment installed. No, not the sanding or the polishing attachment. You need to use the grinding or cutting disk.1

Install the disk and then put the cable on a flat surface. Turn the tool on and direct the disk directly to the point you want to cut. After holding the Dremel for just a couple of seconds, you should end up with a flush-cut on the bike cable. In fact, there will be no signs of fraying on the line with this tool either.

On that note, you can also use the rotary Dremel for the cable housing. It will work exceptionally well and will offer you a clean cut.

Wire Cutter

Did you know that you can use a wire cutter to cut the cables of the bike? Yes, it is indeed possible! But before you pick any wire cutter, you need to ensure that the jaws have the correct sharpness. Without that, there will be fraying on the cable. And that would eventually ruin the overall looks and functionality of the line.

Pliers

If you can not find any other tool for cutting the cable, you can use a set of pliers. But do make sure that the tool has good cutting power. It will be pretty hard for you to get a clean cut if the pliers have a blunt edge. Also, do not hammer down the head of the plier when it is holding onto the cable. It will not offer you a clean cut.

Final Words

Are you still wondering how to cut bike cable without cable cutters? Well, you really do not need a dedicated tool for the task. You can use a rotary Dremel, wire cutter, or a set of pliers for the job. And in most cases, you can effortlessly get a clean cut with these alternative tools.