Oversize brake housing (6 mm), cable (2 mm) and ends (7.75 mm) for vintage MTB
07-27-20, 03:15 PM
#1
Disraeli Gears
Thread Starter
Oversize brake housing (6 mm), cable (2 mm) and ends (7.75 mm) for vintage MTB
I recently bought a 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper (Sport) in beautiful condition, and am refurbishing it for my cousin. While the existing brake cables are working OK, the housing and cable ends are a bit gnarly, and they're old-style equipment: unlined housings and cables that are not particularly slick like modern ones. They're (as I've just learned) oversize cables with oversize housings and ends, The brake levers on this bike are a Shimano version of the Magura motorcycle levers that were on the original year Stumpjumper.
If I want to replace them as OEM, I can probably find 6 mm housings and 2 mm cables, though maybe not in the US. They'd look original (good) and work like it too (okay, but not optimal).
OTOH, I could go with standard modern cable and housing -- this bike is never going to be ridden hard and put away wet -- and compensate by using heat-shrink tubing or tape to increase diameter at the ends and the braze-ons, and some kind of partial sleeve to augment the diameter of the cable terminals.
What would you all do?
You can see the bike here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/131757...57714934167376
There's also this later-model Hard Rock that I've refurbed and given to his spouse (already being ridden): https://www.flickr.com/photos/131757...57714935060592
If I want to replace them as OEM, I can probably find 6 mm housings and 2 mm cables, though maybe not in the US. They'd look original (good) and work like it too (okay, but not optimal).
OTOH, I could go with standard modern cable and housing -- this bike is never going to be ridden hard and put away wet -- and compensate by using heat-shrink tubing or tape to increase diameter at the ends and the braze-ons, and some kind of partial sleeve to augment the diameter of the cable terminals.
What would you all do?
You can see the bike here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/131757...57714934167376
There's also this later-model Hard Rock that I've refurbed and given to his spouse (already being ridden): https://www.flickr.com/photos/131757...57714935060592
07-27-20, 04:14 PM
#2
Full Member
I finished a rebuild of a similar SJ sport recently.
check out the pork chop BMX cables. They are 5MM
on my build I used a Modern jag wire set, and the results were good.
In my brake levers there was an additional oversized stop that made fitting the cable to the adjuster more snug. I think it came with the levers.
also on the ball ends to the brake cables had A brass crescent shape shim. I would save these if you have them. Made the ball ends fit better in the levers.
pic:
Specialized STUMPJUMER Sport
check out the pork chop BMX cables. They are 5MM
on my build I used a Modern jag wire set, and the results were good.
In my brake levers there was an additional oversized stop that made fitting the cable to the adjuster more snug. I think it came with the levers.
also on the ball ends to the brake cables had A brass crescent shape shim. I would save these if you have them. Made the ball ends fit better in the levers.
pic:
Specialized STUMPJUMER Sport
Last edited by intron; 07-27-20 at 04:21 PM.
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07-27-20, 04:29 PM
#3
Ride, Wrench, Swap, Race
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I've got quite a few of the complete, original oversized brake cable sets, Specialized brand. PM if you'd like me to dig them up.
07-27-20, 05:55 PM
#4
Disraeli Gears
Thread Starter
Sure! PM sent. Black housing?
07-28-20, 10:02 AM
#6
Disraeli Gears
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I just appreciate the humor, and knew this before I ever ran into Sweatman's collection.
07-28-20, 10:54 AM
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Boulder Bicycle had some NOS a while back. And Ebay sometimes too.
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I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.
01-15-22, 11:25 PM
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01-16-22, 12:03 AM
#9
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01-16-22, 12:34 AM
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01-16-22, 09:40 AM
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The 2mm inner & 6mm outer Cables that were used on 1st gen Shimano XT Levers is the same as most Motorcycle cables. I have a bunch of NOS cables somewhere out in the shop, I have used lined motorcycle brake & clutch outer housing in the past. They used to make ( Maybe still do ) all the adapters to use the now standard 5mm housing and matching inner cable. I just finished rebuilding a 89 Pug Canyon Express that has the Suntour 4 fingered Brake levers and much to my surprise had the orig adapters for both the 5mm to 6mm housing end that fits in the adjuster and the Barrel end ( Half Moon shape) that fits into the lever.
01-25-22, 12:14 AM
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DDDD if you are willing I would like to buy one of these cable sets from you. I can't DM you because I have less that 10 posts but I would appreciate if you could help me out. I've been looking for these everywhere. My email is colburndavis@gmaildotcom
03-23-22, 10:31 AM
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im Also I’m Northern California where are you located maybe I can just pick up if still available.
03-23-22, 07:08 PM
#14
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The 2mm inner & 6mm outer Cables that were used on 1st gen Shimano XT Levers is the same as most Motorcycle cables. I have a bunch of NOS cables somewhere out in the shop, I have used lined motorcycle brake & clutch outer housing in the past. They used to make ( Maybe still do ) all the adapters to use the now standard 5mm housing and matching inner cable. I just finished rebuilding a 89 Pug Canyon Express that has the Suntour 4 fingered Brake levers and much to my surprise had the orig adapters for both the 5mm to 6mm housing end that fits in the adjuster and the Barrel end ( Half Moon shape) that fits into the lever.
03-24-22, 07:35 AM
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The cables I have are lined, most of what I have were for Dirt Bikes of the 70's & 80's so Modern? Yes the inner cables were slick not like the Bicycle 2.0 which look coarse when compared. I still have a huge amount of used Motorcycle Cables from my motorcycle repair days and while there are different Dia's most are 6mm .
03-24-22, 07:58 AM
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