Repairing a cantilever brake cable, in a pinch
#1
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Repairing a cantilever brake cable, in a pinch
My front cantilever cable broke - one of the "arms" the stirrup cable, also known as straddle cable, broke. This cable is, in my case, fixed to the actuator cable with some sturdy plastic piece. I don't have any way to disassemble that piece of plastic (it seems to be fused). Can I fix the brake with a piece of cable that I will tighten/clamp to both brake arms and just straddle it over that piece of plastic?
My cable/brake setup looks almost identical to this one:
The part that broke is the one enveloped in that plastic tube you see going to the right brake arm.
My cable/brake setup looks almost identical to this one:
The part that broke is the one enveloped in that plastic tube you see going to the right brake arm.
Last edited by wroomwroomoops; 06-26-15 at 09:24 AM.
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My front cantilever cable broke - one of the "arms" the stirrup cable, also known as straddle cable, broke. This cable is, in my case, fixed to the actuator cable with some sturdy plastic piece. I don't have any way to disassemble that piece of plastic (it seems to be fused). Can I fix the brake with a piece of cable that I will tie to both brake arms and just straddle it over that piece of plastic?
My cable/brake setup looks almost identical to this one:
The part that broke is the one enveloped in that plastic tube you see going to the right brake arm.
My cable/brake setup looks almost identical to this one:
The part that broke is the one enveloped in that plastic tube you see going to the right brake arm.
Seriously, you need to clamp the existing cable, with a sizable piece of cable sticking through the mounting bolt, or replace it. In your case, replacement sounds like the only option.
#3
Banned
The Main cable coming from the Brake Lever is the one passing through the steel with a plastic coat tube.
You Need to Buy a Brand New Brake Cable .. Get 2 to have a Spare on Hand.
You Need to Buy a Brand New Brake Cable .. Get 2 to have a Spare on Hand.
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I realized that 15 minutes ago, so fixing my problem would have been trivial, by replacing the brake cable (which is standard and I have plenty). But I didn't fix it that way: I found a canti brake saddle with which I am more familiar, tightened it on the actuator cable, and used a second piece of brake cable - luck would have it so that it was a short, discarded piece with the little "barrel" still attached - to connect the two brake arms. And now it works like new, or even a bit better.
#5
Banned
Those pieces, pictured, were solving the MTB accidents caused by the Brake cable breaking,
then having the transverse cable 'clothesline ' beween the tire Knobbies , pulled down By the Cantilever return springs
stopping the wheel , Flinging the rider , face planted onto the road or trail ..
The Shimano ones, shown, failed Open, when the main cable broke.
going over mudguards , or leaving a reflector bracket there , was solutions that made the older scheme safer..
As would pre emptive cable replacement..
then having the transverse cable 'clothesline ' beween the tire Knobbies , pulled down By the Cantilever return springs
stopping the wheel , Flinging the rider , face planted onto the road or trail ..
The Shimano ones, shown, failed Open, when the main cable broke.
going over mudguards , or leaving a reflector bracket there , was solutions that made the older scheme safer..
As would pre emptive cable replacement..
#6
Senior Member
Not sure if the OP means he wants to fix the brake or the straddle wire. The brake is fine; the straddle wire needs to be replaced. Tektro makes z-link wires in various sizes; measure the one you have (or take it to your LBS). Alternatively, you can use a straddle cable and cable hangar.
Edited: Though as fietsbob points out, the straddle cable + cable hangar route is not without risk.
Edited: Though as fietsbob points out, the straddle cable + cable hangar route is not without risk.
Last edited by dubes; 06-26-15 at 11:13 AM. Reason: Add content
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Those pieces, pictured, were solving the MTB accidents caused by the Brake cable breaking,
then having the transverse cable 'clothesline ' beween the tire Knobbies , pulled down By the Cantilever return springs
stopping the wheel , Flinging the rider , face planted onto the road or trail ..
The Shimano ones, shown, failed Open, when the main cable broke.
going over mudguards , or leaving a reflector bracket there , was solutions that made the older scheme safer..
As would pre emptive cable replacement..
then having the transverse cable 'clothesline ' beween the tire Knobbies , pulled down By the Cantilever return springs
stopping the wheel , Flinging the rider , face planted onto the road or trail ..
The Shimano ones, shown, failed Open, when the main cable broke.
going over mudguards , or leaving a reflector bracket there , was solutions that made the older scheme safer..
As would pre emptive cable replacement..