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Q. Can your shift cable tighten in cold weather
- Thread starter jonmat
- Start date
The lubricant within the housing might be thickening in the cold, causing excess resistance to cable movement. Cleaning it up is a chore. You could try taking it all apart and douching it out with paraffin or petrol.
I think you already know the best solution to the problem.
I think you already know the best solution to the problem.
- Thread starter
- #3
Thanks Rusty, the cable is nearly 3 years old.The lubricant within the housing might be thickening in the cold, causing excess resistance to cable movement. Cleaning it up is a chore. You could try taking it all apart and douching it out with paraffin or petrol.
I think you already know the best solution to the problem.
Big Bike Basher
New Member
Put the mech in the slackest gear tension then without using the shifter push the mech while rotating the gears into the other end of the range.
This will then release the cable tension and you can slide the outer cable around and oil it. Then reseat it correctly,turn the pedals so it changes gears back onto cable tension.
Mind your fingers tho ....
The linear coefficient of thermal expansion steel is about 12 x 10-6 m/mdegC
Let’s assume that a steel cable behaves the same as a steel wire. It probably doesn’t, but it won’t be by a factor large enough to make a significant difference.
That mean that 2 meters of steel cable will shrink by less than half a millimetre over a 19 degC temperature reduction. So the length reduction will not be significant. Don’t forget that your bike frame will be contracting as well, thus reducing the impact of the cable length reduction.
Let’s assume that a steel cable behaves the same as a steel wire. It probably doesn’t, but it won’t be by a factor large enough to make a significant difference.
That mean that 2 meters of steel cable will shrink by less than half a millimetre over a 19 degC temperature reduction. So the length reduction will not be significant. Don’t forget that your bike frame will be contracting as well, thus reducing the impact of the cable length reduction.
Respectfully, good info! I’m no “Man-of-Steel” but I’m gonna apply this formula to my own body. Should explain any shrinkage.
I don’t have these issues with the AXS system's but the door opens for cold batteries.
Montana St Alum
Active member
Did you make adjustments to shifting and THEN ride at -1c getting bad shifts?
If so, maybe your initial set up was flawed. -1c isn't all that cold and isn't a huge change from 18c. in the context of metal expansion and contraction.
I know some people lube shifter cables, but if you are inclined to do so, something that is a dry lube, like silicone spray, where the carrier liquid evaporates out, might be better, but I wouldn't bother.
Probably just chance and nothing to do with the temperature.
Then there's the impact of temperature on tyre pressures. Will a change of 19 degC make a noticeable difference? 
Edit: The answer is about 7% change in pressure, up or down.
Edit: The answer is about 7% change in pressure, up or down.
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