Removing gear cable for rear mech?

[ambuletz]

I may know the answer to this already but I want to be sure.

Afew weeks back for some reason my gear selector cable snapped right at the point where it goes into my front-right handle bar (road bike). it didn't bother me as the bike was stuck in it's highest gear and most roads are flat with the exception of 2 small hills that go over train tracks (which I can manage fine on).

I figure instead of bothering to repair/replace the cable I just want to take it all off in the event it gets any looser and tries to lunch itself in my gears with it being so slack, and deal with riding everywhere in top gear.

Nothing wrong in doing it right?

[frisbee]

The rear mech tensions the chain, bikes with no rear derailleur have other methods to adjust the axle position or maintain the chain tension.

[outnumbered]

If you're stuck in 52x12 then the bike won't mind, but it's unlikely to do your knees any good.

[Magic919]

With the cable broken, the rear mech just moves to the limit screw. I'd probably just tape the broken end to the frame and use the limit screw to select a lower gear.

Removing the inner cable might require you to remove the outer cable too and I wouldn't bother with all that.

[ambuletz]

frisbee said:

The rear mech tensions the chain, bikes with no rear derailleur have other methods to adjust the axle position or maintain the chain tension.

so is that a yes or no?

outnumbered said:

If you're stuck in 52x12 then the bike won't mind, but it's unlikely to do your knees any good.

stuck on the highest gear (smallest cog) at the rear. most of my journeys are 1-2 miles anyway. I do feel a slight tingle sensation in my knees whenever the weather gets into lower single digit figures though.

Magic919 said:

With the cable broken, the rear mech just moves to the limit screw. I'd probably just tape the broken end to the frame and use the limit screw to select a lower gear.

Removing the inner cable might require you to remove the outer cable too and I wouldn't bother with all that.

That's what I've done up until now, I have the whole cable taped up against the frame. Perhaps I'll leave it as is until I can be bothered!

[idiotgap]

Should be easy once the cable is broken to just pull the inner cable through and remove the outers. Keep the little end caps on the outers. If the outers are not too old or visibly rusty and the inner cable doesn't look too rusty keep the outers too. A new cable inner is a couple of quid from ebay or £3/4 maybe from a bike shop and youtube will show you how to put it right, it's quite a satisfying job to do.

If you can't be bothered, just remove the inners and outers which will take seconds just pulling at them once the cable has snapped. Better to do that rather than have it all flapping about.

[frisbee]

ambuletz said:

frisbee said:

The rear mech tensions the chain, bikes with no rear derailleur have other methods to adjust the axle position or maintain the chain tension.

so is that a yes or no?

I interpreted your post as wanting to remove the whole derailleur, not just the cable.

There is no problem with taking the whole cable off, it'll just sit in the smallest cog.

[BenGismo]

It takes VERY little time to put a new inner cable in and they cost £2-3!

You can then use your rear gears and you dont have to ride everywhere in hardcore mode...lol Of course you can if you still want to.