Clean & Lube Your Brake and Derailleur Cables

Kena heavy rain or have you recently ‘hose down’ your bike? Better lube the cables to ensure we continue to enjoy smooth shifting and braking.

Derailleur (Shifting) Cables

1. With bike on a stand, shift the chain to the ‘biggy’ rear and  ‘biggy’ front ring.

2. Without pedaling, shift rear gear and front gear down to their smallest. The derailleurs and chain should remain where they are, but your cables should now have some slack.

3. Pull the cable housing out from the cable stops.

4. Slide cable housing and wipe off any water on the cable with a clean rag.

   

5. Lube derailleur cables with light oil.

6. Put the cable housing back into the cable stops and carefully turn the pedals forward.

Brake Cables

1. Squeeze your brake levers so that the pads are touching the rim.

2. Hold the brake pads against the rim with one hand.

3. Pop the cable housing out from the cable stops.

4. Slide cable housing and wipe off any water on the cables with a clean rag.

5. Lube brake cables with oil (heavy oil recommended).

6. Slide housing back, squeeze the brakes again and put the housing back in the cable stops.

7. Test your brakes to make sure they're safe.