Bicycle Mechanics - Brake cables under tape

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Booger1
10-05-07, 04:46 PM
Can the brake cables be run under the handlebar tape with old style brake levers (1970-80ish) or does it take a newer style lever to do that?

Booger1

supcom
10-05-07, 05:06 PM
Your levers must be designed for it.
operator
10-05-07, 07:36 PM
Your levers must be designed for it.

New levers designed for under bartape routing are < $20.

Rev.Chuck
10-05-07, 09:45 PM
There is also the trick of looping them back around to the bar and running the housing like a modern aero the rest of the way, under the tape. You end up with a short exposed loop but it is not bad looking.
Booger1
10-05-07, 10:56 PM
I tried the loop thing but it seems I would have to loop to the outside of the bar then back under and that's where I do all my riding.Thanks Everyone...Going to the LBS tommorow,I'll check out some levers.
capwater
10-06-07, 04:43 AM
What you have are called non-aero brake levers, you need aero brake levers to have the cables routed under the tape. Did that recently to a 1983 Trek 410. New Tektro levers at Nashbar (as well as other places) were about 20 bucks, pretty simple swap.
tellyho
10-06-07, 06:54 AM
The Tektro levers are nice. Got mine for $16 + $4 shipping thru Amazon. Niagara Cycle, maybe?
Old School
10-06-07, 12:32 PM
What you have are called non-aero brake levers, you need aero brake levers to have the cables routed under the tape. Did that recently to a 1983 Trek 410. New Tektro levers at Nashbar (as well as other places) were about 20 bucks, pretty simple swap.

Exactly!
bluenote157
10-06-07, 02:46 PM
I just got some tektro off of ebay all for under $25 bucks... came with new cables as well. If you are going to salvage your older calipers and cables, i would recommend that you grease the cables before you slide them into the housing.
Booger1
10-06-07, 03:38 PM
Just got back from a ride to the beach and hit up the shops along the way.One place had a NOS set of shimano levers/with covers,let me have them for $10,lucky day I guess.

Thanks again everybody.