Bike cables are made out of stainless or galvanized steel and are under tension when you pull on the brakes or change gear. Despite what some say, bike cables (especially the derailleur cables) do wear over time. This will result in poor shifting and the possibility of snapping a cable. Some of this may be stretching of the cable but more likely may be related to small breaks in the cable weaving, especially at the points of maximum cable deformation such as the cable anchors that attach the cable to the derailleur cables or the brake cables. The idea is to change bicycle cables periodically to keep smooth shifting and smooth braking!


Brake Cables - What you might notice while cycling:
1. When braking is no longer smooth or they feel "sticky" or "sluggish", it's time to replace the brake cables (and housing).
2. Look for a frayed cable at anchors points
3. Cracks in the brake cable housing.


Summary: How often should I replace cables & housing if I'm not having any problems?
When to replace bicycle derailleur cables and housing is a hotly debated item when you examine the various bicycle forums on the internet. I looked at this with my trusted expert at the Clinton Bicycle Shop in Clinton, NJ. He, like myself, is an advocate of preventive maintenance before you get stuck at the side of the road on a country road.

Cables: Brake cables (along with the brake housing) should probably be replaced every 2 to 3 years to prevent problems and allow for smooth braking. Sooner if you notice any of the above problems.

Housing: Brake housing should be replaced when you replace your brake cables every 2 to 3 years and sooner if you notice any of the above problems.

There is no complete rule of thumb. For me, I like to be pro-active and change replace cables and replace housing before I have a problem during bike maintenance or bicycle repair rather then try to fix a problem out on the road. Prevention is the name of the game.