How to Easily Lube Shifter Cable on any Bike

[@themouas]

This is one of the best straightforward videos I have ever seen. Thank you for making this video.

[@A.T.TrailWorks]

Right on! Glad you found it helpful. Thanks for watching and subscribing!

[@matthewrkeefe]

Thanks! I've worked on bikes here and there as a bike sales person, but you made that demo so clear, especially in a world where replacement is king.

[@A.T.TrailWorks]

I agree, I'm not a huge fan of wasting things either. I'm also not into over charging people, when I could do this and bring something back around. It really takes just a few seconds to try and a few dabs of lube isn't going to make you bankrupt. Build trust with customers on the small stuff and they'll bring you their bikes for the big stuff and/or buy their next bike from you.

[@EverettWilson]

God, I love efficiency tips from professionals. Thanks!

[@A.T.TrailWorks]

Happy to help!

[@tehphoebus]

Thank you.i wish I had found this video a few months ago. I can't get the cable to activate at all now. 😳

[@A.T.TrailWorks]

You're welcome. I probably do this 2-3 times a year but I don't really keep track to be honest. I just do it when I notice things getting hesitant. In Asia I did this more frequently because of the moisture and heat.

[@TebzGo]

Excellent video. Totally helpful and to the point.

[@drumdover]

Straight forward and to the point! My trail bike has recently started getting sluggish when upshifting. Do I need to use a certain type of lube/oil or could chain lube work? Also, what is the brand of your green bike stand you have? Do you recommend it? Thanks!

[@A.T.TrailWorks]

I use 3-in-1 Oil for cables and to clean chains as well. You can find it just about anywhere from hardware stores to Dollar stores (if you’re in the states). I usually lube the chain with a wet condition type lube like White Lightning, it adds a waxy film that wicks away moisture and keeps things from sticking to the chain. The green bike is a Sirius (4th generation) made by Pipedream Cycles out of the UK. I’m almost positive there are less than 5 in the whole US (& I have 2 of them). CroMoly All Mountain hardtail that can run 27+ or 29” tires. It has aggressive geometry but still climbs really well. It came out in 2014 and was way ahead of it’s time.

[@A.T.TrailWorks]

That could also be a cable tension issue. Try the lube trick first and if that doesn’t change anything then you can add tension to the cable at the shifter. I should probably make a video on how to do that now that I mention it. Too complicated for text only.

[@drumdover]

@@A.T.TrailWorks this is awesome, thanks so much for all of the tips!!! And your stand, where did you get that? I am in the states as well.

[@A.T.TrailWorks]

@@drumdover that was a Christmas Gift from my wife. I think it’s from Bikehand on Amazon. Not sure what she paid but I’ve had it for years and use it often.

[@drumdover]

@@A.T.TrailWorks sweet! I've seen that one! Might go that route. Thanks again for all of the tips!

[@Qlicky]

Thanks for the great tip dude!

[@A.T.TrailWorks]

I always try this before replacing cables or housing and I also do it after I replace cables and housing.

[@mikewraps]

2:37 I moved the pedals while the cable housings were out of the braze-on cable stops and now I can’t get them back in. I tried manually moving the chain up and pulling back the detailer but I can’t get one of them back in. Any tips on getting them back in?

[@A.T.TrailWorks]

If you have a little wiggle room on your cable tension screws you can turn those (righty tight takes the tension off) at the shifter and derailleur. Make sure you have it shifted into the highest gear (smallest cog which means no tension on the cable). If that doesn’t work you’ll have to loosen the bolt/screw that holds cable onto the derailleur and get the housing back into place. Then you’ll have to readjust the tension to get it shifting crisp again (I have a video on that as well).

[@EJ-V8Bikes]

Thanks for a very helpful video!!

[@A.T.TrailWorks]

Glad you found it useful!

[@alexmartinez-wp2oh]

What happens if a piece of cable gets stripped like 2 strands of it ? I did that on accident anything to worry about or insignificant you'd say?

[@A.T.TrailWorks]

If 100% of the cable is crimped onto the derailleur and it's frayed after the bolt then you should be fine. Mine was broken off for a year or so... that's why you can't see it on the Pipedream in this video, haha. You won't be able to route it through the housing if you ever undo it and you'll need to replace it at that point.

[@alexmartinez-wp2oh]

@A.T.TrailWorks I had undone it so n tightened it to hard and was using the wrong pliers at first so after you remove it your saying you can't put it back on there if it's frayed ?

[@A.T.TrailWorks]

Sorry for the late reply. Yeah, you'll have a hard time getting it back through the housing.

[@HungryPanda3287]

great video brother, exactly what I was looking for! :D

[@A.T.TrailWorks]

Glad I could help!

[@mikediazong]

can i use a chain lube instead?

[@A.T.TrailWorks]

Yep. Anything but WD-40.

[@SKNZ2727]

Nice Pipedream, great lube cheat too.

[@A.T.TrailWorks]

Thanks! It’s an absolute blast to ride. I got a few more tricks up my sleeve that could be potential videos in the future. Glad you liked it!

[@Chiby2510]

Nice diamond back.

[@A.T.TrailWorks]

26 inch isn't dead to me.

[@jameselder3514]

Pure gold!

[@A.T.TrailWorks]

I wasn’t using “bike” lube either 🤫

[@addisoncaren7987]

p̲r̲o̲m̲o̲s̲m̲ ✋

[@A.T.TrailWorks]

Thanks!