Classic & Vintage - Installing Vintage Levers

I'm using vintage Dia-Compe Gran Aero brake levers (all white, they're sweet ). But they don't have the "quick release" button on the levers so I can't get any slack when setting up the cable on the calipers. I cannot get the rear brake tight enough at all. I pull the lever and it isn't enough power to do anything to the wheel in any meaningful way. I have been thinking I might use some locking needle nose pliers to hold the cable inside the brake hood/body, set up the caliper and pulling the cable out the front and sliding it into the cable stop holder (it has a slit in it). If you haven't already noticed, I'm not exactly familiar with all the terms.

Thoughts?

Either use a "third-hand" type tool (or strap the brake closed on the rim) or take the wheel off and on while adjusting the brake. You'll probably have to deflate the tire to do so.

I always just hold the brake so the pads are tight against the rim, then pull the cable as tight as I can with a pair of pliers before tightening. An assistant makes this easier, but you can do it on your own. When you let off the caliper, it always takes enough slack out of the cable to pull itself away from the rim.

I found a cheap little set of tools a walmart it had a spoke wrench and a brake clamp to hold the brake closed for you. The brake tool makes things a lot easyer, clamp it on and pull the cable tight with a pliers while you tighten the nut. The set had a couple other things too, for about $5 it was a good useful buy. Not that we like walmart bikes around here

I always just hold the brake so the pads are tight against the rim, then pull the cable as tight as I can with a pair of pliers before tightening. An assistant makes this easier, but you can do it on your own. When you let off the caliper, it always takes enough slack out of the cable to pull itself away from the rim.

That's what I do too...I should really buy one of those third-hand things, as my wife usually fills that role and is generally annoyed by having to do it. At any rate, though, it works well.

Not that we like walmart bikes around here

Perhaps the GMC Denali is destined to become a classic bike?

East Hill

Along with the third hand tools, there is also the fourth hand tool that does a nice job of pulling the cables tight and really snugging down zip ties.

For a substitute 3rd hand tool if you can't find a cheap one at a discount store, look at your local hardware megastore for a mini bar clamp. They work fairly well as a third hand tool, and cost much less than a major cycling tool company's option...

Or a "C" clamp will work if you have one laying around.

Park invented a C-clamp 3rd hand tool. I wonder if they still sell them. Glorified 3rd hand. I still use my toe straps, works better than my 3rd and 4th hand tools.

For a substitute 3rd hand tool if you can't find a cheap one at a discount store, look at your local hardware megastore for a mini bar clamp. They work fairly well as a third hand tool, and cost much less than a major cycling tool company's option...

I use one of those nylon bar clamps; once in awhile it'll slip off the brake shoes if I haven't tightened down right, but it usually does the job. A 4th-hand tool for pulling the cable tight is nice for centerpull brakes, but not essential. The cable should be able to move fairly freely in the housing, freely enough for you to pull on it with your fingers and get the slack out. If not, you might clean up the ends of your housing.

Neal

I used to use a Vise Grip "quick clamp" until I bought the Park tool.

The quick clamp works better...... :eek:

Looks like this:

http://www.tooltopia.com/ProductImages/55/VGP00506.jpg

I used to use a Vise Grip "quick clamp" until I bought the Park tool.

The quick clamp works better...... :eek:

Looks like this:

http://www.tooltopia.com/ProductImages/55/VGP00506.jpg

That's what I use! Thanks for the graphic, BBM.

Neal

I used to use a Vise Grip "quick clamp" until I bought the Park tool.

The quick clamp works better...... :eek:

Looks like this:

http://www.tooltopia.com/ProductImages/55/VGP00506.jpg
+1

to the OP, that is the kind of clamp I had in mind when I responded to your similar post in the mechanics forum.

Make sure you have a large enough cable ferrule at the lever end of the housing with those ADC levers. It has a big entry hole and your housing may be slipping into the interior of the lever.

Until I get a third hand, I'll continue to use this method: Clamp a heavy pair of vise grips to the end of the cable and let them hang down(carefull they don't bang against the frame). The weight will keep the cable tight as you use one hand to set the pads were you want them and the other to tighten the nut. Easy, and it works well for me.

The vise grip method above was used by Cuda til he got married!:D

I always just hold the brake so the pads are tight against the rim, then pull the cable as tight as I can with a pair of pliers before tightening. An assistant makes this easier, but you can do it on your own. When you let off the caliper, it always takes enough slack out of the cable to pull itself away from the rim.


What Sammy said!:D

Tie wrap/cable tie or whatever you call them in your part of the country.... Loop one through
the brake shoe slots, and zip it tightly until the shoes sit flat on the rim. Never fails to work,
although sometimes it's too tight. I have a Pedros cable pulling tool, but it's more annoying
and takes longer than a tie wrap.,,,,BD