Bicycle Mechanics - Frozen cable? (literally)

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bullethead
02-20-06, 12:44 PM
On my last two cold rides my right brake lever will just not move. When brought in the house after it frees up. The only thing I've been using on it with any regularity is wd40. I'm guessing there is a little water in the cable that is freezing. The bike is in my house when not riding. Is there a solution other than replacing the cable? I was thinking maybe a solvent of some kind, but I don't want to make thing worse. Any advice appreciated.
Retro Grouch
02-20-06, 01:17 PM
Have you tried pulling the inner wire and blowing out the cable housing?
bullethead
02-21-06, 04:20 AM
Have you tried pulling the inner wire and blowing out the cable housing?
No, I hadn't. That's a good idea. I'm sure it sounds obvious, but I didn't think of it. I appreciate you taking the time to help me out. I bet it fixes it :) Many thanks.
Most likely moisture condensed inside the cable housings when you brought the bike into the warm house after a cold ride (and WD-40 evaporate pretty quick so it doesn't last long enough to repel it) so when you go back out it all freezes up.
Try pulling the cables and lubing them lightly with chain lube or something else that will last.
concernicus
02-21-06, 09:43 AM
does anyone know what the freezing point of wd-40 is?
phantomcow2
02-21-06, 09:48 AM
does anyone know what the freezing point of wd-40 is?
You can probably find a msds for WD40, that will tell you.
I've found tri flow in the cable housing to work well, and if you can get ahold of an air gun and blast it, that will remove the water.
AndrewP
02-21-06, 10:28 AM
There are spray lubricants that contain silicon, which will provide lubrication after the solvents have evaporated.
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