Alterego818

Hi, all! I am trying to rebuild an old Nishiki road bike, but the brake and shifter cables are pretty old and should probably be replaced. Any thoughts as to which ones (brand, thickness, etc.) would work? I've attached a few photos. Thank you in advance for any help you can provide!

ClydeClydeson

The modern derailleur cables sold at your LBS for Shimano and Sram components will work. Nothing special is required. And any modern 'road' brake cables will work too, or 'universal' brake cables that come with road and MTB heads and you cut off the head you don't want before assembly.

You should also get new cable housing and ferrules (the housing end caps) while you are redoing the cables. On your older bike you can do it all (both brake and shift) with whatever brake cable housing you can get (preferably lined) - modern bikes with indexed shifting require specific cable housing but you won't need that.

You will re-use the triangular cable 'yokes' and the existing two headed 'straddle cables' with your new brake cables.

Alterego818

Thank you so much for the advice!

jdawginsc 

I try to go to a particular LBS when I can, but it is 20 miles away. Search for jagwire cable kit on ebay.

A certain seller, is the one I use. Awesome service and quick shipping. Decent selection and cable kits for $17.00 shipped.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/25423468514...kAAOSwUP1gwDGG

repechage

By the graphics and pump pegs, 1971-72.
Panaracer paselas in your future for tires I think.
Could use a thorough de-rust but should be a decent bike when done.
Will need a saddle.
If there is a bike co-op anywhere near, be sure to service the bottom bracket.

Andy_K 

I would have said 1973, but I'm not sure. I've got the non-step through version of the same bike sitting right behind me as I type this. It originally had the same color and graphics as the OPs, and for some reason that I can't remember I had decided at some point that it was a '73. It may have been based on reading somewhere that they were called "Olympiad" before that.



My priority, very closely after cables, would be new brake pads. I'd also seriously consider replacing the steel wheels. I know that can add a lot of cost to what would otherwise be an inexpensive bike, but I think it's worth doing. The rear caliper would easily handle a switch to 700c wheels, and if the front doesn't a cheap replacement could be found that does. That would open up the tire options considerably.

Road Fan

For cables, anything of sound quality and condition of the correct diameters and lengths, will usually work.

gugie 

That's quite a step down from the rest of your quiver. I assume you're fixing it up for someone? Or you turning into a Neal Lerner flipper?

Andy_K 

It was my 2020 Clunker 100 build. I just haven't gotten around to finding a new home for it yet. It's actually not a bad bike now that I've cleaned it up a bit.

nlerner

Hold on now. You know a flipper’s gotta flip. And some projects are simply a sequence in an ongoing performance art project.

gugie 

Twin brothers from a different mother.

Chombi1 

Yup!, brake and shifter cables on bikes can become brittle and fray and break from age, especially where they flex around guides.
I found that out with my 84 Peugeot PSV that I took out of storage some tears ago. The cables started breaking on me the first few rides I did on it, after close to 20 years of it just sitting.

Miele Man

Please check your stem and find out how much of it is still in the headtube. That stem looks might high. I don't think there's the minimum 2 inches inside the headtube. Look for a minimum insertion mark. A stem that's too high can break in use.

Cheers

dedhed

Honestly, I'd just run a Bell kit on that bike and spend the money saved on Kool Stop continental brake pads.
https://www.acehardware.com/departme...sories/8305336

​​​​​​https://www.biketiresdirect.com/prod...oaAtOKEALw_wcB

Alterego818

Wow! Thanks again for all the useful info everyone. I really, really appreciate it!