Bicycle Mechanics - Cable housing on top tube

While building up an older bike frame I realized I didn't know how to string the rear brake cable through the three double rings along the top tube. The cable housing with ferrule goes right through, so that can't be right. How the heck does the brake cable and housing run along the top tube?

If it matters, I'm using cantilever brakes with the levers mounted on a flat bar.

Many thanks!

The cable housing is *supposed* to go right through the three sets of braze-ons on the top tube. In the case of canti brakes, the cable housing should go all the way from the shifter to a cable stop that is either (a) built into the frame and positioned in between the seat stays, or (b) attached to the seatpost binder bolt.

Here is a high-res photo of my bike with canti brakes. The housing goes all along the top tube and there is a stop between the seat stays. If you bike doesn't have that cable stop between the seat stays, you'll need the seatpost canti adapter. Nashbar sells 'em!

http://myxo.css.msu.edu/danimal/bike/steely_dan_aug2006.jpg

Aha! So that's how it goes (guess I'll have to buy new cable). Mox ... many thanks for coming through for me again for me. I truly appreciate the outstanding effort you make on this forum.

Mox: The more I look at your bike, the more it resembles the one I'm building up (for example, same type of stop bridge between cable stays). You've solved more than one problem as a result. Props to you.

Glad to help... it sure beats getting work done :) :) Hope you'll enjoy the bike your building. I love mine to death.