How To Replace Shift Cables On Bike With Friction Shifters
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- Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
- I show shift cable replacement on a bike with friction shifters. The bike in the video has downtube friction shifters. The process would be pretty much the same with other types of friction shifters like stem mounted shifters.
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That’s a sweet Fuji frame.
Another great video, thanks RJ!. Suggestion: With use, some air forks (I have seen Fox and Suntour) when compressed down and fast they make a type of hissing, squeezing/squishy noise (not the knocking of bottoming out), like an old shoe. I searched everywhere but there is nothing that discuses the topic. Maybe a new video covering this topic? Thanks!
Beautiful
RJ: have 7 speed freewheel w/bolt axle, want to convert to cassette 9 speed and quick release, what derailleur to use (hanger) and would like if I can change individual sprockets eje. 30t for 28t. really enjoy ur vids, tanck you
Hanger is part of, or made for the frame. As far as derailleur: ua-cam.com/video/9R1CVWcgu_M/v-deo.html
Excellent video. I was hoping to see why my downshaft shift levers (left and right) always move on their own back to the top so it returns to the same one gear after about 20 seconds. Any clues would be very welcome as my 10 speed road bike is effectively a 1 speed.
ua-cam.com/video/hPavfGvu714/v-deo.html
@@RJTheBikeGuy Thank you very much for taking the time to respond to my question. Your suggested video contained exactly what I needed to learn. I had no idea I could simply hand adjust the shift levers to fix my maddening problem. You may have saved me buying a new bicycle. You are a generous person.
My first day working in a bike shop I made the mistake of using indexed cable housing on friction shifters. Hopefully this reaches a few people before they make the mistake I did.
ok, on that note, question, is there any problem with using brake cables and brake housing for friction shifters?
These are definitely the best bike maintenance and repair videos on UA-cam. I'm just finishing off my 1984 Colnago Profil CX build and this was really useful. Especially the bit about using brake cable housing, and not indexed gear cable housing, for friction shifting. Thanks RJ.
Glad to help
RJ Thanks for all your video's, I bought a $15 Schwinn continental and with your help I have replaced all the bearings, cables and cleaned all the chrome. This is my first time doing this at the age of 70+ so I have to revisit your videos several times to get it right! Thanks so much, I just hope I get it done before the snow flies!!
Very cool!
That is awesome Tom!
Another great video. It might be worth noting for total beginners like me that the shifters need to be tight otherwise the derailleur with keep returning to the small ring. I learned the hard way.
Your comment is soo exactly what I needed! Thank you soo much! I had been breaking my head over my bike because the the derailluer would keep jumping back to the smallest chain and I gave up completely working on that bike. Again..thanks a lot and hope you have a great day!
Did this today. Easy with your Tutorial. Very helpful video, thank you!
RJ - your voice has been the soundtrack to my bike refurbs over the last couple of years. Great work. :)
RJ I really enjoy your channel, I have a 74 Peugeot 10 speed all original but I think a may have to replace my simplex derailleur. Can please tell me what would be a good replacement. It's just a pleasure bike I have had for 50 years. Thank you!
Can you do a video about
Revoshifters?
I bought a Schwinn ladys bike
Its all Aluminum but the right side reads 7 speeds.
The left sides reads. REVOSHIFT.
There is a plus + and minus - which you can change.
So, im a bit pissed that its NOT a true 21 speed. Help...I know nothing about this type shifter. It seems to peddle faster. But no real long strides like a normal 7 speed.
TIA
This bike was really easy to assemble ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxMesz3KOGEmwmvyKQfLfrRSUXLFzfVHZA and required very few adjustments out of the box. The wheels did not require any truing/adjustments. The frame had some small scratches, but nothing major.I did replace the seat though - the seat it came with was very uncomfortable. The tires need to be re-inflated every 4-5 days, but this appears to be quite common for the narrow 700x25 tires.Overall, in my opinion, this bike looks and rides like a much more expensive bike.
I love that generation of Japanese bikes. I'm almost totally back to friction shifters, Rivendell, Soma, and old Simplex Retrofriction are my favorites, and I'm just as fast as I am on indexed. In long mud and gravel rides, it's nice not to worry about shifting issues.
I just re-cabled my 93 Giant Kronos and set the adjustment on the downtube shifter from indexed back to friction mode and I had no idea that brake cable housings could be used.for friction shifting. Wondering if I should change the housing? Or is it ok to leave it as is.
What should I do if the bike I'm working on doesn't have precious housing to compare length (previous owner was missing one of the cables).
Hi! Question here.... do I need ferrules at the ends of the housing or are they optional? I also have a Bianchi from the 1980s.
Wow, so helpful and thanks for making this! I was lost when it came to these things and couldn't find any good videos out there. Glad to see it looks fairly simple! Thanks again!
rj do you ever buy replacement stickers for bikes? I have this bike and wondering if there were replacement decals for it
Should I oil the cabels before installing?
Thanks mate , exactly the info I needed ! Cheers from downunder
my friction shifter doesnt work, anyway to repair them, or should i buy a new one or even index
Thanks so much for the video! Two questions: Do you use brake cable for friction shifters? (you said you use brake cable housing) and do you lubricate the cable through the guides down by the bottom bracket (or is that better running dry)?
I only use friction shifters. Great video!
Had the same fuji stolen right in front of me.😢
Hey RJ, quick question -- you mention that for friction shifters its best to use brake cable housing. does it also make a difference (for friction shifters) in the type of cable you're using or is all the cabling the same?
Brake cables and shift cables are different. The heads of the cables are completely different.
@@RJTheBikeGuy gotcha thank you!! I'm going to recable my brakes and shifters soon for the first time and I'm wondering what to buy. Ideally I'd buy those premade sets but I don't know of any that pair together brake housing with shift cables. Do you have any advice on what to purchase or should I just buy all the individual parts (brake housing, brake cable, shift cable, little caps)? thank you again your videos are AMAZING
I would be tempted to run a bit of cable housing where the cables change direction above the bottom bracket. Looks like a high friction point, especially if some gunk got stuck there. Your thoughts?
May a bit of liner there, but it's not really set up to hold anything there.
Newbie here. I've seen so many of these videos from people, and they all leave an extra 1" 1/2 tail for the crimp. But why so much extra? Why not only 1/2"?
If you need release the cable and re-attach it with 1/2", good luck!
Nice info 👍🏻 thanks from indonesia
Nice job!! My favourite bike channel!
very nice and simple explanation .thanks
What about for solid wire push pull derailleur? I have a Shimano Positron 400 and the shifter paddle is very heavy and stiff... I've lubed the rear mech and shift detents but I can't see how to replace the cable housing because the housing ends have proprietary ferrules molded on with a recess for the shifter to latch onto. I wanted to take the outer housing off, clean the inner solid wire and put some standard gear outer housing back on :/
Shrug. You just have to figure it out. You could always update.
RJ I replaced the old gear cable on a Puch Cavette II with modern line. The installation went smoothly but on my first test ride (maybe 10 miles) the freewheel line snapped at the shifter lever itself so I don't think it's a housing problem. What am I doing wrong? I will say that the modern line is noticeably thinner than the original line and I've thought about substituting modern brake line for the gear line but I don't think the brake line stop will fit flush in the shifter lever.
Sorry, no idea what you did. I have never had a new shifter cable break.
Great video again. Thanks RJ
Hi RJ. I want to replace the shift cables on my old suntour friction shifters. What kind of inner cable do you use in this video? I bought a universal shift cable but the barrel at the end of the cable and the cable itself are thinner than the original ones on the bike. Very helpful channel by the way!
The cable is dependent on the shifters. Most modern shifters use a standard shifter cable. But some older cables used different cables. I can't tell you what yours uses.
That video was exactly the instruction that I needed. Thank You! I just changed the cables on my daughter's 1985 Bianchi. The job was easy, fun and now its shifting is perfect. You do a really good job with your videos.
RJ your the best! Thank you!!!
Been looking for something like this for ages, to the point, no waffling and clear explanation. Thanks RJ the bike Guy 👍👍
There are no videos, on adjusting bikes that won't hold gears, I have a friction shifting bike, "sounds like, if you made one, you would get a ton of views ;) " but do you by chance, know how to adjust it to hold gears? I heard it is a screw, I would appreciate it!
ua-cam.com/video/hPavfGvu714/v-deo.html
@@RJTheBikeGuy Thank you RJ!! I should have thought of typing that headline in!!
I have an old bike with friction shifters. Should I oil these shifters?? are there parts that should not be oiled?? thanks
ua-cam.com/video/hPavfGvu714/v-deo.html
Hay RJ I've watched your videos and enjoyed everyone. Recently I completely refurbished my Marin 93 MTB, fixed the hanger using your methods. I have had the MTB from new, and I can say its like new again - changes gear (rapid fire) and its quiet and smooth. Thanks for the very informative, educational videos. Much respect coming out from the UK. ~Trooper
Just thought I'd come back to this having now fitted friction gear levers to replace the indexed twist grip shifters that were on the bike and would never work properly. I can't believe how easy it was and how much better the friction shifters are than the indexed ones. I can now use all my gears and don't know why anyone uses indexed shifters when friction ones are so much easier and better, so this is just a quick thank you for your video showing how to do it. My bike is now fully functional and I'm back on the road again, so massive thanks from over here in Staffordshire, UK, you're an absolute star, you've literally fixed my bike from thousands of miles away across the pond and I'm extremely grateful. 👍✌️
To each their own. I personally love indexed shifting.
@@RJTheBikeGuy Lol. Thanks though, I'm grateful and relieved it's finally fixed.
not gonna lie i'm tempted to do the same on one of my MTBs
love that there's no index adjustment to drive you insane
Yea, I have ten gears on my bike. Had ten speed index shifter to match, chain, everything. No matter what adjustments I've done, it never stopped slipping gears. Swapped with my ancient friction shifter, works perfectly.
@@marchlander1 Brand new Tourney 8 speed hybrid ebike, and exactly the same thing. Had the bike shop had adjusted it a couple of times, the last time they adjusted it, it started playing up on the way home. I ordered some cheap friction shifters and fitted them, and it has worked perfectly ever since. Haven't used friction shifters since the eighties, and I'm surprised how much I like them, at least for road riding, not so sure I would have liked them so much when I was mountain biking. I suspect something was slightly out of spec, which was throwing the indexing shiter out, the friction shifter doesn't care.
great instruction... ty
Thanks mate!
How do you feather the cage? - front shifter. It’s rubbing on the big cog.
Cheers
I can't diagnose the issue without working on the bike.
@@RJTheBikeGuy the solution was to undo the cage from the frame and slide the whole cage up! Easy!
Thanks anyway 👍🏻
Thanks for the demo!
Nice video, picked up a 20-something year old Cannondale R500 a little while back and I'm gonna give it a little TLC
I just picked up a 1999 R1000.
Shimano 6500 group set , which is hard to find at an affordable price and good condition. Broken left shifter.
I think friction could be the best bet.
Nice demonstration...
Great video and demo/explanation. Thank you very much. I am totally new to the bike repair .Please tell me the proper name for the clamp that operates the front gear switching back from small to big and vise verse. Mine has broken in half and needs replaced. Thank you very much !!!!
Derailleur?
@@RJTheBikeGuy Yess thank you very much !!!!!
Big help. Thanks
Great Job! Bring back friction shifting!
Excellent again. Thank you very much! 😊
Yup. Just snapped a rusty original on my 1987 Schwinn Mirada.
Will replace both.
Older bikes seem easier to fix.
Video downloaded! Thanks.
Simply clear
Hi RJ The Bike Guy, what is your approach to replacing the downtube shifters' bosses? Mine recently fell off and I am puzzled about how they were attached. It almost looks like they were glued (Epoxy?) onto the frame (aluminium) instead of brazed on. I think glueing them back on with e.g. Scotch Weld 420 would be the cleanest solution in terms of preserving the paint of both frame and boss cover plate, however, if the bosses ever fail, I am not sure if I could get them off again. Brazing them on may give me more flexibility if ever needed. What braze filler is best? I think the bosses and covers maybe steel while the frame is aluminum. Do you have experience with choosing silver vs. bronze filler? Aluminum filler seems currently difficult to get. Every store / online is out of it. Thanks for your input! I enjoy your videos.
Those Suntour shifters look to be 1000 times better quality than my simplex. I love the whole bike as well, a nice clean and well thought out design with everything you need and nothing you don't. pleasing to the eye as well.
It is good to grease the cables before fitting.it helps stop the cable nipples becoming stuck in the levers and run smoothly through outer at rear mechanism.Prevents rust on exposed area too.
I disagree. Grease can be counter productive in modern cable housings with lining.
If the outer does not have a steel lining then I am sure you are right.
Nice video. Was surprised you didn't pump a little triflow into the housing before sliding the cable in. Can't remember if you mentioned that the shifters and chain need to be in position for the smallest cog/ring before you tighten down the derailleurs' nuts on the cable.
Yes he did mention that & I'm sure in previous video's he's said that today's cable sleeving has a lubricated liner inside so no need for any other lubrication!
Modern housings have linings that allow the cable to slide easily. Don't need lube. Lube may be counterproductive.
And yes, I specifically mentioned that.
Thanks for the Video RJ, worth noting that Campy shift cable heads have a different size (smaller) that Shimano/Suntour. If someone uses Shimano cables with campy friction shifters they are a pain to remove - ask me how I know LOL.
Newbie question - I have a 2017 Trek 520 with bar end shifters. Does it mean to replace the handlebars I'm going to have to cut and install new cables? Thank-you!
Is there a problem using a index housing with a friction shifter?
Not really. I will often use brake cable housing for friction shifters.
So it's ok to use a stranded housing with a friction gear shifter?
My Dad handed down his Raleigh Elkhorn Mountain Tour (1975?) to me a few years ago. Suntour shifters and derailleurs I believe. Bull moose handlebars. Bear trap pedals. It needs a cleaning and after the cleaning, I'll need a tune up. This tutorial is huge for me. The bike (in my opinion) is in good condition given the years of age. It rides so damn smooth. Not the lightest machine, but damn do I love the friction shifters compared to new shifters. Being able to fine-tune your derailleurs as you ride is really nice.
I am new on it
Restoring a bike
Your video is very handy
I really appreciate your knowledge
Was simple, clear and transparent no tricks on it
Thankssssssssssssss
Thanks so much for the help, RJ! I replaced cables/housing but am still having an issue with shifting being too stiff (specifically on the rear cog when trying to shift into higher gears). Anything that I can do about this? I tried cleaning/greasing the shifters but that didn't seem to do it either. If I loosen the screw on the side of the shifters too much, the gears slip, so that doesn't seem to be a solution either.
Great demonstration. I have a centurion Cavalleto (82) bike. Love the large frame. I understand that they don't make chains for these bikes anymore. I bought a new chain. When the shifter (friction) in back goes on the small ones, it skipps. Is this adjustment or need a special chain? Thanks man.
Uses a normal chain. AS long as you bought the correct chain. And sized it correctly matching the number of links in the original chain. ua-cam.com/video/VzrpC7jrz8U/v-deo.html
I have an old Fuji sagres bike and a lot of the hardware and parts on your Fuji league are the same so this video helped
Cleaning up a vintage Fuji Sagress and found this. All the components are the same. Always good when that happens.
Thank you SO MUCH for showing us how to do this ourselves.
Great video, answers a lot of questions I had. Thank you!
That is one good looking steel Fuji frame. I am practicing bicycle repair on junk bikes I find at the dump.
Great video !! Now all the boys and girls will know how to adjust there bike deraillors. And put on knew shift cables.
Thanks for this. I'm going to change to friction shifters after watching this. Much simpler. 👍
Thank you, this is handy, I have a 92 Schwinn Paramount I am replacing cables on, it has SIS rear, but friction for the FD.
Great video. Defiantly a 1985 or 1986 "League Fuji"
Love ya bro, helping me through my Follis restoration ☺️!
mAN i love your videos. Very very helpful..
Super useful - thanks, it's just What I was looking for!
NIce Video RJ, Fairly straightforward procedure there, I've not come across these yet but great to have this info at hand, thanks for your time.
Wooooohoooo!!! Ive been needing this video! Your awesome, and thanks!
Thanks RJ, useful as always. Clear, concise. Great vids!
Very useful! Thanks a lot! 😊
great video straight to the point
My bicycle had shimano exage derailleurs, changed to shimano acera and its always not shifting properly, then I put back the old one and it shifts smooth. Any idea? Checked for alignment, etc but still nothing. I think I will go with shimano exage , until it breaks down
No, I can't really tell you what the issue is. This is a mountain bike with mountain shifters? Could have just been adjustment. This is a friction shifter video, but I am guessing your bike is indexed?
Hello RJ, really enjoy learning from your videos. I need your help. My LBS only has larger cable head. Where may I purchase smaller head stainless steel cables?
eBay.
Hi can I ask you what derailleurs are you using? I am working on 2x5 speed vintage bike. I need to replace both.
So replace there are literally hundreds or thousands of different derailleurs you can use.
Hi RJ! If this were a highend bike, what cables would you use to get the most longlasting smooth shifting/braking? I've heard about shimano optislick and maybe lube with some chain wax to reduce friction. Am I crazy? 😂
Maybe stainless steel cables.
Very detailed and helpful vid. Cheers RJ :)
my bike have that friction shifters and i have a problem with the front derailleur because i cannot adjust the limits correctly. I mean, when i adjust for the big ring, the small ring touch the chain and the same if i adjust for the small ring. It only happens when i put the smallest gear or the biggest gear. There is no way to adjust both limits because always will touch the chain. Thank u for the videos. They are really helpful.
You don't want to be in big-big or small-small gearing combinations while riding. That is call cross chaining (the chain is at a angle) and that is bad. Causes extra wear on the parts.
Thank you always interesting and easy to understand.
hi, i wanted to ask you can i mount a 10v sprocket on a wheel that you have the 9v pack? obviously changing the derailleur etc ...
ua-cam.com/video/n5YkkAP_QVI/v-deo.html
Hey RJ, where do you get your replacement shifting cables? Can’t seem to find some that have a flat end like the ones on the vintage Peugeot I’m trying to restore that are the same as the ones you used in your video
Amazon.com. But if you are looking old cables like that, search ebay.
But is it not always returning to outer wheel ? What makes it stay in other gears?
ua-cam.com/video/OV1AVcdNjMM/v-deo.html
Cable friction.
@@RJTheBikeGuy Thank you! Wow, so that explains why when I changed cables I had to choose on gear of my 12. Wow. THANKS! So I just need to get new cables again. Why did they not mention it on the cables?
@@RJTheBikeGuy Sorry, but where does the friction on the cable come from? My cables run quite smoothly from the gear shifters on the tube, to the front and to the rear derailleur. Do I need special cables with friction?
@@plinden The friction comes from the friction shifter. ua-cam.com/video/hPavfGvu714/v-deo.html
My gear shifters are very tight, and hard to pull. What do you guys think?
ua-cam.com/video/07Bc0QkudW8/v-deo.html
I did find it useful. It got me to thinking could you do an old ten speed to gravel bike conversion . secondly it looks like the older ten to fourteen speeds were easier to work on
ua-cam.com/video/KHXYN1JH8Oc/v-deo.html
A question! On an 1980s friction shifter what size should the metal cables and housings be? 1.5 and 5 mm?
Most often just a standard shift cable, though some of those old bikes had special shift cables with weird ends. And they didn't use compressionless housing. You can use brake cable housing or find old vintage shift cable/housing sets.
RJ The Bike Guy ok thanks RJ. The old brakes are pants too. I’ll change those rather than upgrading the units
Hi, great video. Was wondering if you could help me with something. I have done everything here, but for some reason when I change gears to the large ring on the back, it comes back to the smallest. What could this issue be? Thank you in advance!!
The shifter should be holding the cable. But apparently it's not. So fix or replace the shifter.
@@RJTheBikeGuy Thank you!
Every time you cut a cable near the head, a kitten dies. Have you considered cutting the cables near the pinch bolt, and donating them to your local co-op/goodwill? But for the kittens?
Cables wear out and should be replaced as part of routine maintenance. Like motor oil in a car. These were garbage.
@@RJTheBikeGuy I acknowledge and trust every word of your sound advice... but... I ride for a living, not race, and wear through pads and cables a lot. For testing while at work I have let cables wear to three threads (b/c two is dangerous, :) ), a bunch of times. No, they won't suddenly stop working, it's been twenty years of testing, but they do get mushy. In fourty years of riding I have purchased one set of cables (June, 1987). ALL the rest of my cables have been from discards, every one of the crappy cables worked well. Not one failure. To be fair, this does not prove crappy is good, only that when used correctly, crappy cables have many more good miles on them. Bottom line; think of the kittens! and consider donating your gently used cables to a bike co-op. (cordial handshake)
Off topic Rj can I put modern components on retro road bike? Like the retro BB to hollow tech woth 105 crank... And also can I increase the number of speed ? Now my bike has 9 speed it may possible to upgrade it to 11 speed? Thanks bro you are the best :)
ua-cam.com/video/IEL7pLwTZw0/v-deo.html
11 speed cassette may not fit on freehub, so you may need to replace wheel.
Thanks bro :)
Nice one R.J.