How To Replace Shift Cables On Bike With Friction Shifters 

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That’s a sweet Fuji frame.

Another great video. It might be worth noting for total beginners like me that the shifters need to be tight otherwise the derailleur with keep returning to the small ring. I learned the hard way.

RJ Thanks for all your video's, I bought a $15 Schwinn continental and with your help I have replaced all the bearings, cables and cleaned all the chrome. This is my first time doing this at the age of 70+ so I have to revisit your videos several times to get it right! Thanks so much, I just hope I get it done before the snow flies!!

RJ - your voice has been the soundtrack to my bike refurbs over the last couple of years. Great work. :)

Wow, so helpful and thanks for making this! I was lost when it came to these things and couldn't find any good videos out there. Glad to see it looks fairly simple! Thanks again!

Been looking for something like this for ages, to the point, no waffling and clear explanation. Thanks RJ the bike Guy 👍👍

These are definitely the best bike maintenance and repair videos on RU-vid. I'm just finishing off my 1984 Colnago Profil CX build and this was really useful. Especially the bit about using brake cable housing, and not indexed gear cable housing, for friction shifting. Thanks RJ.

That video was exactly the instruction that I needed. Thank You! I just changed the cables on my daughter's 1985 Bianchi. The job was easy, fun and now its shifting is perfect. You do a really good job with your videos.

NIce Video RJ, Fairly straightforward procedure there, I've not come across these yet but great to have this info at hand, thanks for your time.

Thanks RJ, useful as always. Clear, concise. Great vids!

Thanks for this. I'm going to change to friction shifters after watching this. Much simpler. 👍

Great Job! Bring back friction shifting!

Great video again. Thanks RJ

I love that generation of Japanese bikes. I'm almost totally back to friction shifters, Rivendell, Soma, and old Simplex Retrofriction are my favorites, and I'm just as fast as I am on indexed. In long mud and gravel rides, it's nice not to worry about shifting issues.

Did this today. Easy with your Tutorial. Very helpful video, thank you!

Love ya bro, helping me through my Follis restoration ☺️!

Wooooohoooo!!! Ive been needing this video! Your awesome, and thanks!

Thanks for the demo!

Just thought I'd come back to this having now fitted friction gear levers to replace the indexed twist grip shifters that were on the bike and would never work properly. I can't believe how easy it was and how much better the friction shifters are than the indexed ones. I can now use all my gears and don't know why anyone uses indexed shifters when friction ones are so much easier and better, so this is just a quick thank you for your video showing how to do it. My bike is now fully functional and I'm back on the road again, so massive thanks from over here in Staffordshire, UK, you're an absolute star, you've literally fixed my bike from thousands of miles away across the pond and I'm extremely grateful. 👍✌️

Very detailed and helpful vid. Cheers RJ :)

RJ your the best! Thank you!!!

Great video, answers a lot of questions I had. Thank you!

Super useful - thanks, it's just What I was looking for!

I am new on it Restoring a bike Your video is very handy I really appreciate your knowledge Was simple, clear and transparent no tricks on it Thankssssssssssssss

My first day working in a bike shop I made the mistake of using indexed cable housing on friction shifters. Hopefully this reaches a few people before they make the mistake I did.

My Dad handed down his Raleigh Elkhorn Mountain Tour (1975?) to me a few years ago. Suntour shifters and derailleurs I believe. Bull moose handlebars. Bear trap pedals. It needs a cleaning and after the cleaning, I'll need a tune up. This tutorial is huge for me. The bike (in my opinion) is in good condition given the years of age. It rides so damn smooth. Not the lightest machine, but damn do I love the friction shifters compared to new shifters. Being able to fine-tune your derailleurs as you ride is really nice.

Great job you do !! Thank you

Big help. Thanks

Thank you always interesting and easy to understand.

Very useful! Thanks a lot! 😊

very nice and simple explanation .thanks

Thank you SO MUCH for showing us how to do this ourselves.

I only use friction shifters. Great video!

Nice demonstration...

Thanks mate , exactly the info I needed ! Cheers from downunder

Nice video, picked up a 20-something year old Cannondale R500 a little while back and I'm gonna give it a little TLC

Excellent again. Thank you very much! 😊

Thank you, this is handy, I have a 92 Schwinn Paramount I am replacing cables on, it has SIS rear, but friction for the FD.

Nice info 👍🏻 thanks from indonesia

I have an old Fuji sagres bike and a lot of the hardware and parts on your Fuji league are the same so this video helped

Nice one R.J.

Simply clear

great video straight to the point

Hay RJ I've watched your videos and enjoyed everyone. Recently I completely refurbished my Marin 93 MTB, fixed the hanger using your methods. I have had the MTB from new, and I can say its like new again - changes gear (rapid fire) and its quiet and smooth. Thanks for the very informative, educational videos. Much respect coming out from the UK. ~Trooper

Great video !! Now all the boys and girls will know how to adjust there bike deraillors. And put on knew shift cables.

great instruction... ty

Nice job!! My favourite bike channel!

Great video. Defiantly a 1985 or 1986 "League Fuji"

Nice Fuji!!

mAN i love your videos. Very very helpful..

Great. 👍

Yup. Just snapped a rusty original on my 1987 Schwinn Mirada. Will replace both. Older bikes seem easier to fix. Video downloaded! Thanks.

Beautiful

That is one good looking steel Fuji frame. I am practicing bicycle repair on junk bikes I find at the dump.

Another great video, thanks RJ!. Suggestion: With use, some air forks (I have seen Fox and Suntour) when compressed down and fast they make a type of hissing, squeezing/squishy noise (not the knocking of bottoming out), like an old shoe. I searched everywhere but there is nothing that discuses the topic. Maybe a new video covering this topic? Thanks!

Thanks for the Video RJ, worth noting that Campy shift cable heads have a different size (smaller) that Shimano/Suntour. If someone uses Shimano cables with campy friction shifters they are a pain to remove - ask me how I know LOL.

Cleaning up a vintage Fuji Sagress and found this. All the components are the same. Always good when that happens.

Thanks so much for the help, RJ! I replaced cables/housing but am still having an issue with shifting being too stiff (specifically on the rear cog when trying to shift into higher gears). Anything that I can do about this? I tried cleaning/greasing the shifters but that didn't seem to do it either. If I loosen the screw on the side of the shifters too much, the gears slip, so that doesn't seem to be a solution either.

Thanks so much for the video! Two questions: Do you use brake cable for friction shifters? (you said you use brake cable housing) and do you lubricate the cable through the guides down by the bottom bracket (or is that better running dry)?

I did find it useful. It got me to thinking could you do an old ten speed to gravel bike conversion . secondly it looks like the older ten to fourteen speeds were easier to work on

Nice video. Was surprised you didn't pump a little triflow into the housing before sliding the cable in. Can't remember if you mentioned that the shifters and chain need to be in position for the smallest cog/ring before you tighten down the derailleurs' nuts on the cable.

Those Suntour shifters look to be 1000 times better quality than my simplex. I love the whole bike as well, a nice clean and well thought out design with everything you need and nothing you don't. pleasing to the eye as well.

Hi RJ. I want to replace the shift cables on my old suntour friction shifters. What kind of inner cable do you use in this video? I bought a universal shift cable but the barrel at the end of the cable and the cable itself are thinner than the original ones on the bike. Very helpful channel by the way!

I would be tempted to run a bit of cable housing where the cables change direction above the bottom bracket. Looks like a high friction point, especially if some gunk got stuck there. Your thoughts?

Great demonstration. I have a centurion Cavalleto (82) bike. Love the large frame. I understand that they don't make chains for these bikes anymore. I bought a new chain. When the shifter (friction) in back goes on the small ones, it skipps. Is this adjustment or need a special chain? Thanks man.

rj do you ever buy replacement stickers for bikes? I have this bike and wondering if there were replacement decals for it

Hello RJ, really enjoy learning from your videos. I need your help. My LBS only has larger cable head. Where may I purchase smaller head stainless steel cables?

Newbie question - I have a 2017 Trek 520 with bar end shifters. Does it mean to replace the handlebars I'm going to have to cut and install new cables? Thank-you!

Great video and demo/explanation. Thank you very much. I am totally new to the bike repair .Please tell me the proper name for the clamp that operates the front gear switching back from small to big and vise verse. Mine has broken in half and needs replaced. Thank you very much !!!!

Very helpful review. I just swapped my Ironman from indexed downtube shifters to a nice set of Shimano L422 Light Action friction shifters. This video reminded me of a step I omitted. Works fine now. Might even pull enough cable to use with an 8 speed cassette, rather than the standard 7 speed freewheel these bikes used with Suntour and Shimano indexed shifters.

RJ: have 7 speed freewheel w/bolt axle, want to convert to cassette 9 speed and quick release, what derailleur to use (hanger) and would like if I can change individual sprockets eje. 30t for 28t. really enjoy ur vids, tanck you

my bike have that friction shifters and i have a problem with the front derailleur because i cannot adjust the limits correctly. I mean, when i adjust for the big ring, the small ring touch the chain and the same if i adjust for the small ring. It only happens when i put the smallest gear or the biggest gear. There is no way to adjust both limits because always will touch the chain. Thank u for the videos. They are really helpful.

It is good to grease the cables before fitting.it helps stop the cable nipples becoming stuck in the levers and run smoothly through outer at rear mechanism.Prevents rust on exposed area too.

I just re-cabled my 93 Giant Kronos and set the adjustment on the downtube shifter from indexed back to friction mode and I had no idea that brake cable housings could be used.for friction shifting. Wondering if I should change the housing? Or is it ok to leave it as is.

Hey RJ, always really enjoy your videos, and have been inspired to start a project to convert a hybrid to a drop bar Cyclo cross type bike. I’ve hit a snag though, the gearing is set up for a mtb, and I can’t get the triple sti shifter to work with the front derailleur. I’m really struggling to find a top pull road bike specific triple front derailleur. Does such a thing exist or is my project doomed?

RJ I replaced the old gear cable on a Puch Cavette II with modern line. The installation went smoothly but on my first test ride (maybe 10 miles) the freewheel line snapped at the shifter lever itself so I don't think it's a housing problem. What am I doing wrong? I will say that the modern line is noticeably thinner than the original line and I've thought about substituting modern brake line for the gear line but I don't think the brake line stop will fit flush in the shifter lever.

Hi RJ! If this were a highend bike, what cables would you use to get the most longlasting smooth shifting/braking? I've heard about shimano optislick and maybe lube with some chain wax to reduce friction. Am I crazy? 😂

Excellent video. I was hoping to see why my downshaft shift levers (left and right) always move on their own back to the top so it returns to the same one gear after about 20 seconds. Any clues would be very welcome as my 10 speed road bike is effectively a 1 speed.

Thanks mate! How do you feather the cage? - front shifter. It’s rubbing on the big cog. Cheers

Hey RJ, where do you get your replacement shifting cables? Can’t seem to find some that have a flat end like the ones on the vintage Peugeot I’m trying to restore that are the same as the ones you used in your video

Hi RJ The Bike Guy, what is your approach to replacing the downtube shifters' bosses? Mine recently fell off and I am puzzled about how they were attached. It almost looks like they were glued (Epoxy?) onto the frame (aluminium) instead of brazed on. I think glueing them back on with e.g. Scotch Weld 420 would be the cleanest solution in terms of preserving the paint of both frame and boss cover plate, however, if the bosses ever fail, I am not sure if I could get them off again. Brazing them on may give me more flexibility if ever needed. What braze filler is best? I think the bosses and covers maybe steel while the frame is aluminum. Do you have experience with choosing silver vs. bronze filler? Aluminum filler seems currently difficult to get. Every store / online is out of it. Thanks for your input! I enjoy your videos.

Hi! Question here.... do I need ferrules at the ends of the housing or are they optional? I also have a Bianchi from the 1980s.

Off topic Rj can I put modern components on retro road bike? Like the retro BB to hollow tech woth 105 crank... And also can I increase the number of speed ? Now my bike has 9 speed it may possible to upgrade it to 11 speed? Thanks bro you are the best :)

hi, i wanted to ask you can i mount a 10v sprocket on a wheel that you have the 9v pack? obviously changing the derailleur etc ...

Hey RJ, quick question -- you mention that for friction shifters its best to use brake cable housing. does it also make a difference (for friction shifters) in the type of cable you're using or is all the cabling the same?

Should I oil the cabels before installing?

Hi can I ask you what derailleurs are you using? I am working on 2x5 speed vintage bike. I need to replace both.

What about for solid wire push pull derailleur? I have a Shimano Positron 400 and the shifter paddle is very heavy and stiff... I've lubed the rear mech and shift detents but I can't see how to replace the cable housing because the housing ends have proprietary ferrules molded on with a recess for the shifter to latch onto. I wanted to take the outer housing off, clean the inner solid wire and put some standard gear outer housing back on :/

Hi, great video. Was wondering if you could help me with something. I have done everything here, but for some reason when I change gears to the large ring on the back, it comes back to the smallest. What could this issue be? Thank you in advance!!

What should I do if the bike I'm working on doesn't have precious housing to compare length (previous owner was missing one of the cables).

Can you do a video about Revoshifters? I bought a Schwinn ladys bike Its all Aluminum but the right side reads 7 speeds. The left sides reads. REVOSHIFT. There is a plus + and minus - which you can change. So, im a bit pissed that its NOT a true 21 speed. Help...I know nothing about this type shifter. It seems to peddle faster. But no real long strides like a normal 7 speed. TIA

I have an old bike with friction shifters. Should I oil these shifters?? are there parts that should not be oiled?? thanks

A question! On an 1980s friction shifter what size should the metal cables and housings be? 1.5 and 5 mm?

Is this the correct technical name of this kind of shifters: friction shifters? I always used the term ”down tube shifters”, but I realize now that this is not so accurate. Years ago, I worked in restoring an old Univega road bike which had this kind of shifters mounted up on the wedge stem, just above the headset, and a collar with two cable stops on the down tube. In the end, the owner wanted brifters on his bike and brought me a pair of 105s.

my friction shifter doesnt work, anyway to repair them, or should i buy a new one or even index

My bicycle had shimano exage derailleurs, changed to shimano acera and its always not shifting properly, then I put back the old one and it shifts smooth. Any idea? Checked for alignment, etc but still nothing. I think I will go with shimano exage , until it breaks down

There are no videos, on adjusting bikes that won't hold gears, I have a friction shifting bike, "sounds like, if you made one, you would get a ton of views ;) " but do you by chance, know how to adjust it to hold gears? I heard it is a screw, I would appreciate it!

Hi RJ! Nice to virtually meet you! How are you? I really like all your videos, always helpful and satisfying, as part of a passion that we all share! THANK YOU! I have a question that I cannot solve. I have an old vintage Giant road bike with downtube shifters and the one of the front derailleur it's a friction one. I'm having a problem with it as it keeps moving down to the smaller ring as like there's no tension in the cable even if the shifter is screwed tight all the way in and the cable is tight. As I'm riding i'm always there trying to adjust it. I hope you or someone of the channel can help me. Thanks you a lot in advance. Keep on riding!

Is there a problem using a index housing with a friction shifter?