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Bicycle Rear Shifting Cable Replacement

Introduction

In this guide, we are replacing the rear shifting cable on a bike with a friction-based shifter. This cable connects the shifter to the derailleur, allowing you to change gears without manually adjusting the chain on the rear cassette. Common signs that the cable needs replacement include general wear, fraying, or breakage. Exercise caution when handling the old cable, as the wires can be sharp and use the wire cutters carefully to avoid injury. Always ensure the bike is stable and consider wearing gloves to protect your hands.

What you need

  1. Bicycle Rear Shifting Cable Replacement, Rear Shifting Cable: step 1, image 1 of 2 Bicycle Rear Shifting Cable Replacement, Rear Shifting Cable: step 1, image 2 of 2

    • Adjust the friction shifter so that it is in the position of the hardest gear.

    • The cable should have the least tension in this position.

    Edit

  2. Bicycle Rear Shifting Cable Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 2 Bicycle Rear Shifting Cable Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 2

    • Using the pair of dykes, cut the old cable end off of the old cable.

    • Use caution, the dykes are sharp!

    Edit

  3. Bicycle Rear Shifting Cable Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 3 Bicycle Rear Shifting Cable Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 3 Bicycle Rear Shifting Cable Replacement: step 3, image 3 of 3

    • Make note of how the cable is secured by the cable securing bolt on the derailleur.

    • Using the 9mm wrench, loosen the cable securing bolt on the rear derailleur.

    • The bolt does not need to be removed entirely, only loosened enough to remove the cable.

    Edit

  4. Bicycle Rear Shifting Cable Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 3 Bicycle Rear Shifting Cable Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 3 Bicycle Rear Shifting Cable Replacement: step 4, image 3 of 3

    • Remove the cable from the securing bolt.

    • Make note of how the cable is routed through the bike.

    • Remove the old cable from the bike by pulling the cable away from the rear derailleur (toward the front wheel).

    Edit

  5. Bicycle Rear Shifting Cable Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 3 Bicycle Rear Shifting Cable Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 3 Bicycle Rear Shifting Cable Replacement: step 5, image 3 of 3

    • Remove the old cable from the shifter cable eye by pushing the cable up from below.

    • Pull the old cable up until it is completely removed from the shifter.

    Edit

  7. Bicycle Rear Shifting Cable Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 3 Bicycle Rear Shifting Cable Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 3 Bicycle Rear Shifting Cable Replacement: step 6, image 3 of 3

    • Install the new cable into the shifter by threading it into the shifter cable eye.

    • Pull the new cable completely through until the cable end is resting in the shifter's cable eye.

    • Route the new cable back through the bicycle the same way the old cable was routed.

    Edit

  8. Bicycle Rear Shifting Cable Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 1

    • Route the new cable through the rear derailleur cable housing.

    Edit

  9. Bicycle Rear Shifting Cable Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 3 Bicycle Rear Shifting Cable Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 3 Bicycle Rear Shifting Cable Replacement: step 8, image 3 of 3

    • The new cable may get stuck in the cable housing. If this occurs, remove the housing from its guides, straighten it and push the new cable through.

    Edit

  10. Bicycle Rear Shifting Cable Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 2 Bicycle Rear Shifting Cable Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 2

    • Reinstall the cable housing in its guides if necessary and guide the cable through the rear derailleur cable eye.

    • Pull the cable through completely.

    • Ensure the cable is installed correctly underneath the cable securing bolt on the derailleur. It should be in the same place the old cable was secured.

    Edit

  11. Bicycle Rear Shifting Cable Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 2 Bicycle Rear Shifting Cable Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 2

    • Ensure the shifting lever is still in the position of the hardest gear, where the cable has the least tension.

    • Pulling the cable taut, use the 9mm wrench to tighten the cable securing bolt to hand tightness.

    Edit

  12. Bicycle Rear Shifting Cable Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 3 Bicycle Rear Shifting Cable Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 3 Bicycle Rear Shifting Cable Replacement: step 11, image 3 of 3

    • Use the pair of dykes to cut the new cable, leaving about an inch and a half of extra cable beyond the cable securing bolt.

    • Use caution when using the dykes, they are sharp!

    Edit

  13. Bicycle Rear Shifting Cable Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 2 Bicycle Rear Shifting Cable Replacement: step 12, image 2 of 2

    • Install the cable crimp onto the end of the new cable.

    Edit

  14. Bicycle Rear Shifting Cable Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 2 Bicycle Rear Shifting Cable Replacement: step 13, image 2 of 2

    • Using the dykes, crimp the cable crimp.

    • Do not use too much pressure when crimping with dykes, the crimp will be cut in half!

    • Use caution when using the dykes, they are sharp!

    Edit
Conclusion

All that's left is to test the repair. Go for a ride and shift gears to see if the repair was successful. If tension in the cable is too loose, the friction shifter in step 1 can be pulled towards the rear wheel to increase tension.

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Amanda

Member since: 01/20/26

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Team

UC Davis, Team 1-5, Morris Winter 2026 Member of UC Davis, Team 1-5, Morris Winter 2026

UCD-MORRIS-W26S1G5

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