Was talking to an old timer at the bike co-op in Eugene who said he hasn't used cable cutters in 20 years

So I'm volunteering at this co-op last Saturday, sorting through a bin of old housing. This guy Bill, probably 70 years old, he's been wrenching since the 70s. I pull out my Park Tool cable cutters to trim a brake cable and he just shakes his head. Says he uses a sharp pair of side cutters and a file. I laughed it off at first but then he showed me. He files the end of the cable before cutting, says it prevents fraying way better than the expensive cutters. I tried it on a shifter cable that's usually a nightmare and it worked perfectly. Been using those $40 cutters for years thinking they were the only way. Has anyone else switched to a different method for cables?

2 comments

2 Comments

miller.susan15d ago

Oh man, that's a good reminder that half my "pro" tools are probably just covering for my lack of actual skill. I bet Bill could probably cut a cable with a rusty butter knife and still make it look clean.

eric35915d ago

File trick works, cutters are overhyped. Bill sounds like he knows his stuff. Might ditch the Park Tool and give it a shot.