New to tandem bikes
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New to tandem bikes
Hi everyone, I just picked up a 2016 Trek t900 tandem bike. I’ve been going thru all the mechanics and everything looks good accept the cables are rusty. I don’t think they were stainless steel. Any suggestions on what replacement cables I should be buying or at least what length? If I replace the shifters with a brake/shifter combo it will come with brake cables, will the rear brake cable on the new combo be long enough to reach? Will I need 3 cables?
plus are brake cables the same as shifter cables?
thank you in advance
David
plus are brake cables the same as shifter cables?
thank you in advance
David
Last edited by Phillips66; 10-29-20 at 03:33 PM. Reason: Another question
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Jag wire has tandem spec length and while your at it replace the housing too. LBS can cut you stuff for the lengths you might need as they get that stuff in bulk rolls. They might not have tandem length shifter and brake lines but Precision Tandems or Tandems East will definatly have what you need. And yes there is a differance in shifter and brake lines, as well as the housing. Good luck on your new ride. Our first tandem was a 86 myata It is still kicking but i also went through the whole thing and replaced lots of stuff and repainted it too. All my kids have had at least one or two tours as my stoker. Have fun ;-}
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Where are you located? It would be extremely unlikely that a store bought brake/shifter combo would have the 2700 - 3000mm tandem length cable cores for the rear derailleur/brake caliper. I am about to take a set off a cargo bike I just bought. Should be long enough for a tandem. Personally I would buy separate Tektro levers and Shimano shifters if I was going through the trouble. And yes, Jagwire should have both the cores and the housings for the brakes and derailleurs.
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my LBS wouldn't have the long cable cores either, that is why i suggested getting them from Precision or Tandems east. I suppose you could get them from other sources (amazon) but I like to support guys that are part of the greater tandem community when you can't get stuff from your LBS. At the time i lived not far from Gear to Go tandems and he had everything for my reconditioning.
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I’m in Illinois, I’ll look them up and see about ordering some. I’m just disappointed that how this bike has rusted parts on it, I’m sure it’s how the guy had it stored. Even the spoke ends have corrosion on them.
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my LBS wouldn't have the long cable cores either, that is why i suggested getting them from Precision or Tandems east. I suppose you could get them from other sources (amazon) but I like to support guys that are part of the greater tandem community when you can't get stuff from your LBS. At the time i lived not far from Gear to Go tandems and he had everything for my reconditioning.
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Another option for cables is to go with single length cables, and couplers, like those used on travel bikes.
You have to use two cables for the rear brake and derailleur, but it has the advantage that if you break a cable you can replace it with an easily sourced single cable, which can be a real advantage in a pinch, particularly if you travel with the bike
You have to use two cables for the rear brake and derailleur, but it has the advantage that if you break a cable you can replace it with an easily sourced single cable, which can be a real advantage in a pinch, particularly if you travel with the bike
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We have a Trek T900 that is a lot older than yours. It's a good bike. We also have a DaVinci Grand Junction. When I have purchased new grip shifters, the cable they come with is not long enough for a tandem. I just bought shifter cables: Jagwire Slick Stainless Derailleur Wire 3100mm Shimano, $6.49 each from Ben's Cycle online (free shipping). I find no LBS in New Orleans keeps shifter cable that long in stock. I find it wise to order 1 or 2 extra in case for some reason you run into trouble and have to pull one back out and it frays on you. Bummer about your previous owner who let it rust.
Last edited by jethro00; 11-03-20 at 10:36 AM.
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Phillips66, I will add that I have found it helpful before pulling out cables to take a series of pictures of all connecting points and parts on the cable. That way, when some of those small parts fall off when you remove the cable, you will have something to go by when you install the new cable.
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Good idea and thank you, I ended up just replacing the shifters. It had tektro brake handles on it and I couldn’t see replacing those.
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Just to point out if it isn't obvious - The front brake cable and housing are standard length. Any normal ~1 meter (1000mm) type of size cable will fit fine.
For the rear brake and shifters sometimes cables are not called out as 'tandem' cables. Just look for something in the 2.5m - 3.0m (2500mm-3000mm) length. You can use your old cable to determine a more precise length. Buying a cable that is too long is always better than buying one that is too short. =)
For the rear brake and shifters sometimes cables are not called out as 'tandem' cables. Just look for something in the 2.5m - 3.0m (2500mm-3000mm) length. You can use your old cable to determine a more precise length. Buying a cable that is too long is always better than buying one that is too short. =)
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Bikes: Co-Motion Cappuccino Tandem,'88 Bob Jackson Touring, Co-Motion Cascadia Touring, Open U.P., Ritchie Titanium Breakaway, Frances Cycles SmallHaul cargo bike. Those are the permanent ones; others wander in and out of the stable occasionally as well.
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my LBS wouldn't have the long cable cores either, that is why i suggested getting them from Precision or Tandems east. I suppose you could get them from other sources (amazon) but I like to support guys that are part of the greater tandem community when you can't get stuff from your LBS. At the time i lived not far from Gear to Go tandems and he had everything for my reconditioning.
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Bikes: Co-Motion Cappuccino Tandem,'88 Bob Jackson Touring, Co-Motion Cascadia Touring, Open U.P., Ritchie Titanium Breakaway, Frances Cycles SmallHaul cargo bike. Those are the permanent ones; others wander in and out of the stable occasionally as well.
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Another option for cables is to go with single length cables, and couplers, like those used on travel bikes.
You have to use two cables for the rear brake and derailleur, but it has the advantage that if you break a cable you can replace it with an easily sourced single cable, which can be a real advantage in a pinch, particularly if you travel with the bike
You have to use two cables for the rear brake and derailleur, but it has the advantage that if you break a cable you can replace it with an easily sourced single cable, which can be a real advantage in a pinch, particularly if you travel with the bike
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My LBS didn't have 'em in stock, but were able to get them in a day or two.
We do have a great tandem specific shop in the area, though, and consider ourselves lucky about that. He, of course, has 'em in stock pretty much always.
Got another set from him, as I'm planning to re-cable the Santana soon, with new bar tape as well.
We do have a great tandem specific shop in the area, though, and consider ourselves lucky about that. He, of course, has 'em in stock pretty much always.
Got another set from him, as I'm planning to re-cable the Santana soon, with new bar tape as well.