Repair guides › Drivetrain
Replace cable in STI levers
Drop-bar levers that brake and shift. Swinging the whole brake lever inward pulls cable (bigger cog, easier gear); the small paddle behind it releases cable (smaller cog, harder gear). This is Shimano STI; SRAM and Campagnolo work differently.
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Tools
- Ball-end hex key set (1.5–10 mm): Park Tool HXS-1.2 Professional L-Shaped Hex Set ($$)
- Cable & housing cutter: Park Tool CN-10 ($$)
- Brake + shift cable/housing kit: Jagwire Sport brake + shift cable kits ($$)
- Cable puller ("fourth hand"): Pedro's Cable Puller ($$)
- Housing awl / pick set: GEARWRENCH 5 pc. hook and pick set 3121D ($)
- Repair stand: Park Tool PCS-9.3 Home Mechanic Repair Stand ($$$$)
Compare Good, Better and Best for each tool
Steps
- Shift to the smallest cog.
- Peel back the hood; push the cable out of the lever's cable entry.
- Feed the new cable, route housing under the bar tape.
- Anchor and index at the derailleur.
Signs it needs doing
- Missed shifts
- Lever stuck