Trying to figure out brakes
06-16-17, 02:43 PM
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Trying to figure out brakes
Apologies for very newbie question here.
I bought some handlebars from a guy on craigslist. They came with brakes, handlebar tape and some housing and cables. However, I cannot figure out what is the deal with the cable/housing. There are some poor photos here, but you should be able to get the general idea. There is no way I can use the existing rear brake cables on my bike, correct? The housing is really short, but the rest of the brake cable is real long. Or is there something I am missing here?
I bought some handlebars from a guy on craigslist. They came with brakes, handlebar tape and some housing and cables. However, I cannot figure out what is the deal with the cable/housing. There are some poor photos here, but you should be able to get the general idea. There is no way I can use the existing rear brake cables on my bike, correct? The housing is really short, but the rest of the brake cable is real long. Or is there something I am missing here?
06-16-17, 03:01 PM
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Looks like you need a new, longer housing. The bike it came off of probably had cable mounts that allow the cable to run a distance without a housing, then another short piece of housing from a stop to the rear brake mechanism.
I'd just buy a new cable and housing and cut it to fit.
I'd just buy a new cable and housing and cut it to fit.
06-17-17, 07:01 AM
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Or just some electrical tape. I've run that for a surprising number of years without needing re-tape. Electrical tape comes in white which would be less noticeable against your frame.
Something like These clamp on cable stops at Rivendell, or Origin8 and others have similar products, would allow you to run two short lengths of housing with the cable alone between. This reduces the amount that the cable housing impacts the effectiveness and feel of the brake. Probably not a big difference - also cheaper for cable housing.
Problem Sovers has cable guides to hold the cable housing as well as Cable Stops like above.
Or, like I said - white housing and white electrical tape might actually be a nice look on that bike. Most people probably wouldn't even see it.
Something like These clamp on cable stops at Rivendell, or Origin8 and others have similar products, would allow you to run two short lengths of housing with the cable alone between. This reduces the amount that the cable housing impacts the effectiveness and feel of the brake. Probably not a big difference - also cheaper for cable housing.
Problem Sovers has cable guides to hold the cable housing as well as Cable Stops like above.
Or, like I said - white housing and white electrical tape might actually be a nice look on that bike. Most people probably wouldn't even see it.
06-18-17, 09:18 PM
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Thanks guys! I ordered a set of cable/housing and I will look into these clamps.
06-19-17, 05:17 AM
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The rear brake cable housing needs to be long enough to allow you to turn your handlebar all the way till it hits the top tube without causing the cable to pull the brake.
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06-19-17, 05:30 AM
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The housing would have ended at the cable stop under front cable stop. The bare cable would run between the front and rear cable stops, and there should be a short piece of housing from the rear cable stop to the brakes. If your bike has no cable stops you will have to get a long piece of housing running from the levers to the brakes. It would be preferable to the clamp on cable stops. This is the setup I have on my 80's steel bike.
