# What are these joins in my hydraulic brake cables? **URL:** \ **Category:** Equipment\ **Created:** [December 29, 2019, 1:05am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/what-are-these-joins-in-my-hydraulic-brake-cables/26638 "2019-12-29T01:05:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DaveQB](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/daveqb/32/617_2.png) [@DaveQB](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/DaveQB)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2019, 1:05am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/what-are-these-joins-in-my-hydraulic-brake-cables/26638/1 "2019-12-29T01:05:35Z")
I can’t find anything, by searching online, as to what is the purpose of these joins. Maybe to make it easier to run through internally routed handlebars? So far they only seem useful in scratching my frame so I am very tempted to replace the cables. Thanks. ![20191229_101437](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/original/3X/3/8/38e64654e15cae03c027ea5377f4310a8414a626.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![donlee](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/donlee/32/2760_2.png) [@donlee](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/donlee)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2019, 1:27am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/what-are-these-joins-in-my-hydraulic-brake-cables/26638/2 "2019-12-29T01:27:29Z")
They are connectors so that when the manufacturer shipped the bike they could detect and easily reattach the handlebars from the factory ---
**Author:** ![handynzl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/handynzl/32/13562_2.png) [@handynzl](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/handynzl)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2019, 2:35am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/what-are-these-joins-in-my-hydraulic-brake-cables/26638/3 "2019-12-29T02:35:16Z")
As access to the master cylinders and hose attachment requires quite a bit of effort (i.e. unwrapping the tape), it allows for LH/RH switcheroos do be done swiftly. Not an issue on MTB’s as all master cylinders are very accessible. ---
**Author:** ![DaveQB](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/daveqb/32/617_2.png) [@DaveQB](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/DaveQB)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2019, 9:43am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/what-are-these-joins-in-my-hydraulic-brake-cables/26638/4 "2019-12-29T09:43:55Z")
Thanks. But the gear cable would still need installing and a full brake bleed, right? ---
**Author:** ![DaveQB](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/daveqb/32/617_2.png) [@DaveQB](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/DaveQB)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2019, 9:46am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/what-are-these-joins-in-my-hydraulic-brake-cables/26638/5 "2019-12-29T09:46:24Z")
Thanks. Wouldn’t you just slide the shifters off and switch without undoing any cables? ---
**Author:** ![bobw](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/bobw/32/24759_2.png) [@bobw](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/bobw)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2019, 9:52am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/what-are-these-joins-in-my-hydraulic-brake-cables/26638/6 "2019-12-29T09:52:39Z")
The shifters are “handed” so not possible. If the joins are scratching your frame just get some helicopter tape and apply in appropriate locations. Most bike shops sell pre-cut kits for just this purpose. ---
**Author:** ![DaveQB](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/daveqb/32/617_2.png) [@DaveQB](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/DaveQB)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2019, 12:48pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/what-are-these-joins-in-my-hydraulic-brake-cables/26638/7 "2019-12-29T12:48:22Z")
Oh of course 🤦‍♂️ I think I’ll just replace the cables. Done once and forget.