Top tube housing clamp spacing?
04-01-23, 09:30 AM
#1
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Top tube housing clamp spacing?
Is there a "preferred" location for top tube brake housing clamps? Looking at a bike right now, I am contemplating mounting three at the 1/4, 1/2 & 3/4 points based on the length of the top tubs, lug-to-lug.
I was a wee bit surprised I did not find a topic already (or I chose the wrong search criteria).
I was a wee bit surprised I did not find a topic already (or I chose the wrong search criteria).
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Larry:1958 Drysdale, 1961 Gitane Gran Sport, 1974 Zeus track, 1988 Masi Gran Corsa, 1974 Falcon, 1980 Palo Alto, 1973 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1974 Legnano. Susan: 1976 Windsor Profesional.
Larry:1958 Drysdale, 1961 Gitane Gran Sport, 1974 Zeus track, 1988 Masi Gran Corsa, 1974 Falcon, 1980 Palo Alto, 1973 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1974 Legnano. Susan: 1976 Windsor Profesional.
04-01-23, 11:30 AM
#2
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Oh boy, an opportunity for another pointless argument about meaningless obscura! 
I truth, I never gave it too much thought as long as they are reasonably symmetrical; I'm usually more concerned about not dropping the little screws and getting the damn things started in the nut. Thank God they started attaching the nuts to the clips or I'd go through three or four sets per recableing.
That said, I put the middle one as close to dead center as my eyeballing and patience permit. I kind of let function place the other two (enough room to allow for any needed bends), symmetrical enough as my eyeballing and patience permit. I do tend to place the for and aft ones as far forward and aft as function permits. Inevitably, I reach what I call the "state of f*** it" and call it a day.
Keep in mind, however, that I am not and never have been an "Influencer" or the height of fashion. (Life's easier that way.)
I truth, I never gave it too much thought as long as they are reasonably symmetrical; I'm usually more concerned about not dropping the little screws and getting the damn things started in the nut. Thank God they started attaching the nuts to the clips or I'd go through three or four sets per recableing.
That said, I put the middle one as close to dead center as my eyeballing and patience permit. I kind of let function place the other two (enough room to allow for any needed bends), symmetrical enough as my eyeballing and patience permit. I do tend to place the for and aft ones as far forward and aft as function permits. Inevitably, I reach what I call the "state of f*** it" and call it a day.
Keep in mind, however, that I am not and never have been an "Influencer" or the height of fashion. (Life's easier that way.)
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04-01-23, 11:44 AM
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I put the rear one in the best place to route the cable housing, same with the front. Middle one goes exactly in between.
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04-01-23, 11:56 AM
#4
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I like to orient mine slightly off center toward the side of the bike corresponding to the brake lever being used and or the location of the cable stop on a side pull caliper.
From my observation bicycle manufacturers of old didn’t really have a consistent standard of spacing these.
From my observation bicycle manufacturers of old didn’t really have a consistent standard of spacing these.
04-01-23, 12:14 PM
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Most important to me is that the middle one is equal distant to the other two.
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04-01-23, 01:14 PM
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Most important to me is placing them where they will not interfere with a carry in case I have to shoulder my bike. Other options are wither to place the cable on top or on the bottom of the tube. I see most touring bikes with the cable on the bottom and a few Gravel bikes with the cable on top.
All in all its a mater of esthetics after function. As long as they don't interfere with my Streamers I am OK...
All in all its a mater of esthetics after function. As long as they don't interfere with my Streamers I am OK...
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04-01-23, 01:25 PM
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04-01-23, 01:25 PM
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04-01-23, 01:33 PM
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To maintain authenticity, make sure to clamp over fragile decals, never use under clamp protective tape and for bonus points judging, leave a few scratches.
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04-01-23, 02:37 PM
#10
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Tradition calls for three, but tradition be hanged. I only use two. Front clamp is 4cm back from head tube, rear clamp is 4cm back from seat tube. I sit on the top tubes quite often when yakking it up with people and don't want to deal with the middle clamp.
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04-01-23, 02:55 PM
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Yeah, the cable is going to start curving right at those two end guides, so the critical thing is that the housing curve looks correct coming from the unguided side... that could depend on what kind of brake levers and calipers you have. The middle one just keeps things tidy, so go rogue if you want to.
04-01-23, 02:56 PM
#12
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Anyway, I have the clamps as stated in post #1... if I see a preferred version, I am willing to move them.
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Larry:1958 Drysdale, 1961 Gitane Gran Sport, 1974 Zeus track, 1988 Masi Gran Corsa, 1974 Falcon, 1980 Palo Alto, 1973 Raleigh Gran Sport, 1974 Legnano. Susan: 1976 Windsor Profesional.
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04-01-23, 04:15 PM
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pics ! or it didnt happen :-)
04-01-23, 04:36 PM
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On the one bike where I use just two clamps, which is how this little Torpado came to me, every once in a while, I'll hear a little "ding ding ding" as the housing taps against the middle of the top tube.
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I just assume an angel is getting its wings.
.
I just assume an angel is getting its wings.
Last edited by SurferRosa; 04-01-23 at 05:21 PM.
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04-04-23, 08:41 PM
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I look for the scratches made from the previously installed clamps. I only purchase framesets with symmetrically-spaced top tube scratches.
Obviously this rules out non-scratched frames.
Obviously this rules out non-scratched frames.
