Bicycle Mechanics - Can I use a brake cable as a straddle cable?

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.



PDA
atelierf.lab
09-30-10, 07:40 PM
(This is also posted in the cyclocross forum, to which the brakes in question pertain.)
I want to try setting my straddle cable a bit longer on my Empella Frogleggs (old-school style wide cantilevers) but the one I have has been cut pretty short. Has anyone tried using a piece of brake cable instead of the dedicated straddle cable from Empella? Brake cable might be a bit thinner, and the metal nub on the end is a slightly different shape but if I am hoping it can work.

Unless it slips out of the barrel adjuster, or something else catastrophic happens, of course. Anyone have any experience with an improvised setup like that?

BCRider
09-30-10, 07:51 PM
If the ball end is the right shape and size so that it fits nicely into the claw and assuming the clamp on the other arm doesn't have too big a groove it'll be fine. The ball end at the claw is the biggest issue. If the barrel shaped MTB end fits well then you can finangle the pinch clamp. But first try pinching the cable in place without cutting it and pull harder than you ever would on the lever. If it doesn't slip you're gold.
Braydon
10-02-10, 12:28 PM
The ball end at the claw is the biggest issue. If the barrel shaped MTB end fits well then you can finangle the pinch clamp. But first try pinching the cable in place without cutting it and pull harder than you ever would on the lever. If it doesn't slip you're gold.
online cable store (http://www.discountcablestore.com/)

TurbineBlade
10-02-10, 03:29 PM
I've done it on a lot of my own bikes and it works just fine. The only 'issue' is that you may have the head of the cable more deeply in the arm and you may not be able to release the brake as easily.
atelierf.lab
10-02-10, 03:39 PM
Thanks everyone. The Frogleggs seem quite forgiving of the type of cable--all you need is a stop at one end (it sticks out in an unsightly manner, but that is life) and cable thick enough that the grub screw on the other end will hold it. Brake cable seems to be working fine.

Sadly, a long straddle cable has not cured the crazy chatter of the steel forks on my Kelly. Back to the drawing board.