Front Gear Cable Snapped - 10 speed Tiagra

[Jim77]

Hi all

I replace a snapped from gear cable in my 10 speed Tiagra. The new cable snapped in the same place (within the shifter) only after about 20 miles. This has never happed to me before after such a short period. My only thoughts are that there must be a sharp edge in the shifter that caused it to snap so soon?

Has this happened to anyone else?

Regards

Jim

[peetee]

Which generation of Tiagra, concealed gear cables or exposed?
(I think I know the answer )

[Jim77]

Concealed…

[CyberKnight]

could be a dodgy cable ?
i know tiagra 4700 is notorious but i had the same happen as i was putting in a cable with rival 22, head snapped as i was tensioning the cable for set up

[Cyclothesist]

I've had this happen but not after just 20 miles! Both 4700 Tiagra and 5700 105 shifters are prone to this because of the tight radius cable path in the shifter IME. I now have a yearly diary alarm set reminding me to change the cable since it's easy to forget when all is working well. It can be a right pig to pick all the frayed bits of cable out of the shifter. I'm sure you've already done this but I'd carefully inspect the cable path for any remaining debris before fitting another. Use a good section of cable to probe the path and ensure it's clear of debris. Make sure you have a good look with a headlight or similar. I'd also give it a good flush out with GT85 before fitting a new quality stainless steel cable.

[Jim77]

Thanks for the advice - I will be extra vigilant when installing the next cable.

[Jim77]

It looks (to my untrained eye) that the plastic has worn away and this is causing a rough edge?

[Cyclothesist]

I don't see anything in the photo that looks like it would eat through a cable in a 20 miles ride. Maybe as Cyberknight said you were unlucky with a faulty cable?
Do you have a pic of the snapped cable?

[Cyclothesist]

I'd give it a clean out, flush with GT85 and fit another good cable.

[Jim77]

Ok thanks - I will give it a go.

[Brucey]

for it to happen so soon there has be fault of some kind however it is not clear if it is the shifter, the cable, or you at fault here.

[jb]

From a gentle curve it's worn to a sharp edge. Whilst the plastic cannot fray the cable the sharp change in direction would fatigue it fairly quickly.

[Jim77]

So there is no way to repair the damage other than get a new shifter? I have heard that SRAM shifters have a less steep curve which causes less breakages?

[peetee]

Extra-flexible gear cables are available. I have seen them made by a company called Elvedes.

https://www.wheelspincycles.com/2207/pr ... nless.aspx

I can’t vouch for their effectiveness but I have experience of many of their other products and they are good quality.

[Audax67]

Extra-flexible gear cables are available. I have seen them made by a company called Elvedes.

https://www.wheelspincycles.com/2207/pr ... nless.aspx

I can’t vouch for their effectiveness but I have experience of many of their other products and they are good quality.

Chap I know who runs an LBS swears by them. I'd forgotten the name, so thanks for posting it. I'll get a few for my next bike service.