Why is there (or what uses) a double nippled gear/brake cable?
Is the answer so obvious that you just snip off the end you don't want?
Yep
Hate those things, I used to cut then apply superglue before using a diamond file to remove any sharp edges, the thought of putting a fresh cut inner into new outer is just asking to scratch the inside of the outer cable imho, maybe I'm overthinking it, but sometimes a cut inner is sharp enough to draw blood even using quality cutters.
They are specifically made for Bond villains....
Clarks cables from Halfords have this ‘feature.’
Isn't the idea that they can be used either as a brake cable or a gear cable, so you don't need to double up, just trim off the end you don't need.
brake cable or a gear cable
Normally it gives the option of road or MTB brake nipple.
Isn’t the idea that they can be used either as a brake cable or a gear cable, so you don’t need to double up, just trim off the end you don’t need.
Partly.
The real reason is that you snip the end you don't want off. Then feed it through the outer. Then when it pops out you find a single strand has detached and unspooled itself and no matter how hard you try to get it right again you just keep making things worse.
You then take that one out and throw it away (or rather, you throw it in your overflowing knackered parts bin because surely it's still useful for something?) and try again with the other one. The same process is repeated.
You then go and buy two more single ended ones, thus doubling the profits of the cable making companies.
The real reason is that you snip the end you don’t want off. Then feed it through the outer. Then when it pops out you find a single strand has detached and unspooled itself
Tell me you use pliers, without telling me you use pliers 😉 . I bought a pair of expensive (£25) cable cutters for just this job and have never looked back. I also cut brake housing but keep an old cable inside prior to cutting so as to avoid crushing. As for finishing, my bikes now sport shrink wrap over the exposed end when finished. No unwrapping and no crimping needed.
Nope, I used the fancy Park Tool cable cutter.
I found just not buying cheap double ended cables to be the most efficient solution.
Nope, I used the fancy Park Tool cable cutter.
Fancy because it's blue and says park on it? Or because it's actually any good.
Fancy because it’s blue and says park on it? Or because it’s actually any good.
It's good. Or at least, it's good enough.
The issue is that trying to feed the unsealed end of a braided steel cable through a plastic tube is a stupid idea. Steel is harder than plastic and if those strands can go through the skin on my finger they can dig into the plastic of a brake outer quite easily.
I'm sure there is a procedure that can be used in order to make the operation successful, but I prefer to just buy a single ended cable.
Funny, the wear cutter i have has never caused that issue. Just slices though with (virtually) no crushing to damage the end.
*WERA obviously...
Funny, the wear cutter i have has never caused that issue. Just slices though with (virtually) no crushing to damage the end.
I've yet to find a cutter that both cuts and solders the end shut with a single snip.
You can have the best cutter in the world, you will still be left with the unsealed end of a braided cable. Not something that is known for keeping itself in good order naturally.