Housing and Cables

At the change of each season of the year, inspect the cable housings and replace those that are broken, bent or cracked. Damaged housing causes undue stress and wear on the cables (necessitating more frequent replacement), detracts from shifting and braking, and, when undetected, can cause you to fruitlessly service all the other components on your bike in an effort to fix the clumsy shifting or braking.

Although many cyclists think that frayed ends are merely unsightly, the weakened cable is actually more likely to break. In addition, when you're fidgeting with a barrel adjuster or cleaning your bike, you can stab your thumb on one of the tiny, rusty wires that stick out. Don't twine the strands back together and put on a new cap; ensure structural integrity by buying and installing a new cable. To maintain smooth operation, we recommend replacing cables once a year or whenever you spot rust.

Looking for more information? Check out these articles:
DIY: Repair, Reuse, Recycle
Essential Tools
Park Tool Tips
Chain