Cable Cutter

[tuxbailey]

So, I think my Jamis needs to have its cables replaced since the RD is not working well and it takes many tries moving the shifter (Tiagra 9 speed) to execute a shift.

No surprise since the cables haven't been replace since I bought the bike (2001) :o

need to get a cable cutter and i was looking at eBay. Park Tool version is pretty steep at $35.

Then there is this one which looks good and I was wondering if anyone has any experience with it:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bike-Bicycle-Professional-Cable-Cutter-/271987398817?hash=item3f53b658a1:g:WYAAAOSwQTVV-Klp

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/WYAAAOSwQTVV-Klp/s-l500.jpg

And then there is one for around $5. Looks kind of iffy to me but I am curious why it is only for Mountain bike cables? Anyone has experience with this one?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bicycle-Mountain-Bike-Outer-Brake-Shifter-Cable-Cutter-Repair-Kit-Tool-/262188220859?hash=item3d0ba2c1bb:g:flMAAOSwMmBVpjh y

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/flMAAOSwMmBVpjhy/s-l1600.jpg

[Blown Reek]

Just get the Shimano cutters and be done with it. And while you're at it, get a Hozan brand 4th hand tool. They'll last forever, give you the correct cut (and pull) and everything else is just everything else.

[dzxc]

The Park Tool one is great and worth the money on sale imo. The second one looks like it would probably work. You just need a strong one that surrounds the cable before cutting, like the Park Tool one and (it appears) the one in the first link.

The second one you linked I think is a nail clipper for dogs.

[tuxbailey]

Just get the Shimano cutters and be done with it. And while you're at it, get a Hozan brand 4th hand tool. They'll last forever, give you the correct cut (and pull) and everything else is just everything else.

Will the Shimano tool work for Campy cables too?

[crashnburn]

I have both the Park Tool and Jagwire cutters (which was a gift).
The Jagwire gets more use but I find the Park tool cuts cleaner housings.

[tuxbailey]

I have both the Park Tool and Jagwire cutters (which was a gift).
The Jagwire gets more use but I find the Park tool cuts cleaner housings.

Thanks. Maybe I will wait for a performance sale. How about their house brand Spin Doctor? Seems to get good reviews.

[Cicli]

Will the Shimano tool work for Campy cables too?

Yes, unless your Italian.

[tuxbailey]

:beer:Yes, unless your Italian.

[cdn_bacon]

Just go to home depot and buy diagonal flush (side) cutters. they work just fine. Never had a splayed cable end with mine. AND.... you can sharpen them

[oldpotatoe]

Will the Shimano tool work for Campy cables too?

Funny, it complains but works. Also Felco, i have used mine(shop) for over 15 years.

[alancw3]

felco is the best imho.

[dave thompson]

Tux, don't cheap out on tools. Buy the very best you can afford. Cheap/light cable cutters will dull fairly quickly and possibly ruin a recabling job. A good one will last a long time and stay sharp.

I have both the Park and Shimano cutters. I got the Park when I first started in bicycles and later switched to the Shimano. Both are good and work well, I just like the way the Shimano works and feels.

If I was back in the states I'd donate my Park to you.

[benb]

You're going to want to crimp cable ends & such and cut housing as well, just get something good.

I got my Park one sometime around 2001 and it has been working great ever since. IME it works much better for crimping than regular pliers. I have a normal set of cable cutters as well (non bicycle specific) and they really don't work very well for housing. It can be tricky to get a really good cut on brake housing that ensures minimal friction.

Pointless to complain about tools if you're riding around on many thousands of dollars of bike(s).

[xjoex]

I like the Knipex Cable Cutters (95 61 190 Wire Rope Cutters) . Haven't dulled in years of use.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zc_Gny9424I/TnU5vLY1XGI/AAAAAAAAD14/TFhDzKbsh-Y/s600/IMG_1653.jpg

-Joe

[tuxbailey]

Thanks for the advice. I think I will look for a Park or something similar.

[benb]

New Cable & Housing job around here at most of the LBSes probably runs north of $100. :rolleyes: Even the most expensive tool will pay for itself quickly. (There's gotta be some $200 Effetta Mariposa or Silca cable tool right? :banana:)

[Tony T]

Thanks. Maybe I will wait for a performance sale. How about their house brand Spin Doctor? Seems to get good reviews.

Spin Doctor worked well for me. Decent quality for a tool I rarely use.
Now on sale for $20 at Performance (http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1030380_-1___000000)

[tuxbailey]

Spin Doctor worked well for me. Decent quality for a tool I rarely use.
Now on sale for $20 at Performance (http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1030380_-1___000000)

yeah I was checking the review and they say it cuts well. But it doesn't have the crimping tool for end caps, etc.

[dave thompson]

yeah I was checking the review and they say it cuts well. But it doesn't have the crimping tool for end caps, etc.

Crimping tool really not needed, gentle use of diagonal cutter or needle nose works well enough.

[Fatty]

Crimping tool really not needed, gentle use of diagonal cutter or needle nose works well enough.

Quite true .
You will need an awl to poke the cut end of the housing to make it nice and round again .

[Tony T]

Even the most expensive tool will pay for itself quickly.

Depends. For example, the cost of the Campy chain tool was worth the cost (for me), as I change about 2 chains each year.
For the cable cutter, I bought the spin doctor cutters when I did my last build 3 years ago (and haven't used it since)

[unterhausen]

I keep thinking about getting a Knipex, always forget people like the Felco and Shimano. I have a Pedro's cutter, and it always does the job.

[bicimechanic]

Knipex is all I use at the shop anymore. Best around. I've been replacing all my old cutters, side cutters, pliers recently with Knipex and I've been very happy with them. Buy good tools. So worth it in the long run.

[RFC]

The Performance cable cutter is one of the better of their line of tools. BTW, I'm sold on having a cable cutter. And, I've also used it to cut bicycle lock cables.

[jlwdm]

Felco, end of discussion.

Jeff

[alessandro]

Dude, totally ditch Comcast and use interweb for all your streaming needs. Who needs cable?

[Louis]

Felco, end of discussion.

+1

Or, use a Dremel tool, which is what I sometimes do if I have a bunch of wires to cut.

[Gsinill]

Anything pliers related Knipex for me.

[tlittlefield]

I have been using the Pedros version for the last couple of years.

Recently came in handy for re-wiring my home theater system as well (-;

[EPIC! Stratton]

I have the Pedro's cutter and love it. Works great. No issues.

That said the SRAM one looks nice with the integrated awl for prepping housing.

[Geeheeb]

I use a dremel with a big cutting wheel. Multitasker.

[ctcyclistbob]

Also Felco, i have used mine(shop) for over 15 years.

felco is the best imho.

Felco, end of discussion.

I have and use a Felco also. It was bought used on ebay, but I can't remember the exact seller. Just guessing here, but there may be (regulated?) industries out there who routinely have to rotate out their tools and they end up for sale at places like this:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/cutters4u/m.html?item=151648712758&hash=item234ef7b836%3Ag%3AiwQAAOSwBLlVLALC&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

[crankles]

bought a pair of Falco's over 30 yrs ago. still in use.

+1

Or, use a Dremel tool, which is what I sometimes do if I have a bunch of wires to cut.

[guyintense]

Parks for the cable, Shimano for the housing.

[jeffwidman]

Agree with everyone else, cable cutters are not a place to cheap out on.

Knipex makes great (non-bike-specific) cable cutters, you can sometimes find ones on ebay for $15-$20. Park Tool also solid. I have both and they both work fine, just make sure if you go the Knipex route that you get ones rated for cutting piano wire--some are intended for lighter weight jobs.

It's also worth keeping the blades coated with a light oil so they don't rust.

[Doug Fattic]

I use a Park cutter in our frame/repair shop in Ukraine and every time I use it I wish it was the Felco cutter I have in my frame shop in Michigan. The Park one works okay but is not as nice as the Felco.