Shrink Tubing

I like the concept but prefer my cables trimmed quite a bit shorter than that.
If you use a really short section of shrink tubing, will it hold?
=sParty

I use this for all cables. Portable Melting Cutter Set - ALLIGATOR Cables, Wires Company

Sparticus said:

If you use a really short section of shrink tubing, will it hold?
=sParty

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I think it would.
Over time, if it got roughed up, I reckon not. I may try this though.

What would be cool is a thick plastic shrink version of the metal one.

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BicyclesOnMain said:

I use this for all cables. Portable Melting Cutter Set - ALLIGATOR Cables, Wires Company

Click to expand...

That's pretty cool and I've actually never seen one of those before. How close of a cut can you get and then still use that?

I reckon you could always dab a little bit of solder on the end too though.

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WHALENARD said:

That's pretty cool and I've actually never seen one of those before. How close of a cut can you get and then still use that?

I reckon you could always dab a little bit of solder on the end too though.

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It has about 3/4 inch of cable length from the component to the cut due to the width of the jaws. It cuts and melts the cable just like the ends of bulk cable. It's more like a spot weld than anything else, solder won't work on bicycle cables from my experience. If I'm somewhere my Alligator isn't handy, I use heat shrink tubing that is lined with hot glue- available on Amazon.

BicyclesOnMain said:

If I'm somewhere my Alligator isn't handy, I use heat shrink tubing that is lined with hot glue- available on Amazon.

Click to expand...

Unrelated but I was thinking of some high-power CA glue like RC tire glue, that stuff is tough as nails. I may try that on my next cable.

Anyway, that Alligator device is awesome.

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Sparticus said:

I like the concept but prefer my cables trimmed quite a bit shorter than that.
If you use a really short section of shrink tubing, will it hold?
=sParty

Click to expand...

If you have a place like Fastenal, you can get heat shrink tubing with glue inside. Would work well.

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There are actually people out there who have trouble with regular cable end caps?

Seriously?

Mind. Blown.

Juansan said:

I'm sure there are those of you who know this fix. Those metal crimped cable ends are garbage. I can't remember where I learned this method of using shrink tubing for cable ends but I've been using this method for quite awhile. Thought I would share
View attachment 1960533

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Never had a problem with metal crimped cable ends. What's wrong with them?

WHALENARD said:

Unrelated but I was thinking of some high-power CA glue like RC tire glue, that stuff is tough as nails. I may try that on my next cable.

Click to expand...

I've tried that in the past on stainless or coated cables where solder doesn't stick.
It works for a while but after a few months to a year the strands start coming apart again.

Sparticus said:

I like the concept but prefer my cables trimmed quite a bit shorter than that.
If you use a really short section of shrink tubing, will it hold?
=sParty

Click to expand...

My road bike has 1cm cuts of shrink on ALL the cables. I was out of cable ends, but had tubing. Been like that.. a long time now.

edit: I didn't even bother with the marine stuff (ie, glue inside for water tight connections).

Too short, Too Long. Most of what you see is extra tubing. I would rather have the cable end a little long just in case you screw up finding the hole and fray the end. I personally have no problem finding the hole. The crimped metal ends will fray the cable end if you crimp too hard. Two part epoxy works well but is too messy. Shrink tubing comes in colors too, I sometimes use red to match my hubs.

slapheadmofo said:

There are actually people out there who have trouble with regular cable end caps?

Seriously?

Mind. Blown.

Click to expand...

People that don't understand that you need to replace your cables yearly, or lay their bikes down on the derailleurs, those are the types with the missing caps and frayed cable ends. It was never a problem for me, although I prefer the look of heat shrink tubing. Nice thing about the Alligator is we can glance at a bike that comes in our shop and tell right away if we did the work by how the cables were cut.

Now that $50 dollar valve stems are a thing, it is time to make my Shark Tank attempt at starting a company that sells $25 dollar cable end caps.

10% discounts for MTBR members with coupon code "StickThisOnYourCable10"

r-rocket said:

Now that $50 dollar valve stems are a thing, it is time to make my Shark Tank attempt at starting a company that sells $25 dollar cable end caps.

10% discounts for MTBR members with coupon code "StickThisOnYourCable10"

Click to expand...

I will wait for the version that works with axs.


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jeph said:

I found that the crimper on the park tool cable cutter doesn't crimp it enough. The cable ends falls off. I use this non insulated wire lug crimper. It can over crimp the soft cable ends if pushed too hard. with this method I have not lost a cable end.
heat shrink sounds cool if it holds but I also would only want about a 1/2 inch or so. Might give a try.
View attachment 1960565

Amazon.com

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Use regular end caps, crimped with this good crimper.

Then put whatever color heat shrink over the crimped on end cap for a color accent.