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-   -   Drum brake installation - cable guides on fork? (https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/936038-drum-brake-installation-cable-guides-fork.html)

agmetal 02-27-14 11:03 PM

Drum brake installation - cable guides on fork?
 
I'm approaching the end of a build, and the last thing to do is build the drum brake-equipped front wheel once my XL-FD hub arrives. I've never had a bike with drum brakes before, and I'm trying to figure out what'll keep the cable from flopping around on its run from the brake lever to the reaction arm on the hub. It'll be going onto a Panasonic Sport 500, an early '80s 10-speed. I'm hoping for something a bit nicer than just zipties, but it seems like that's perhaps the simplest option? I looked for pictures of these hubs installed, but everything was a close-up of just the hub, or if it showed more of the fork, it was usually on a bike that had brazed-on cable guides from the factory.

Jeff Wills 02-27-14 11:24 PM

Zip ties are how I did it 30 years ago. The cable attachments used for disc brake cables might also work:

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...&category=1613

http://www.universalcycles.com/image...dium/40212.jpg

mconlonx 02-28-14 09:02 AM

I've only ever used zip ties to secure drum brake cables on forks which do not have a built in cable guide, but there are cable guides out there which might be pressed into service. Might have to do some bending to get them to work on ovalized fork tubes.

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-3773699..._2268_94940684

Or, in the Sturmey Archer catalog, check out the cable guides on p. 46. One of what they have listed as top or down tube might fit, or the one for chain/back stay. Says you need the little plastic widget if you want it to be a cable stop, but ignore that and you've got an assortment of cable guides from which to choose.

noglider 02-28-14 11:34 AM

You might want to try routing the cable on the hidden side of the fork. Put two or three dabs of silicone on, and embed the cable before the silicone dries fully.

mconlonx 02-28-14 01:22 PM

Doesn't really apply in the OPs case, but I tend to like running drum brake cable/housing through the headset of a threadless setup using BMX-style through-the-headtube hardware. Answer makes one, there are others out there. Cable/housing runs out the bottom of the fork and I'll usually use one zip tie somewhere on or very near the fork crown area. Visually, cleans things up by hiding the big run of floppy cable/housing, and routes it to where it can be more or less hidden.

This is going to a disk brake and the fork actually has a cable guide, but you get the idea:
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...3&d=1369830515

Not through the headset, but cable run under the grip, routing unsecured until it hits the drum cable stop:
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...2&d=1359392870

agmetal 02-28-14 01:40 PM


Originally Posted by mconlonx (Post 16534951)
I've only ever used zip ties to secure drum brake cables on forks which do not have a built in cable guide, but there are cable guides out there which might be pressed into service. Might have to do some bending to get them to work on ovalized fork tubes.

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-3773699..._2268_94940684

Or, in the Sturmey Archer catalog, check out the cable guides on p. 46. One of what they have listed as top or down tube might fit, or the one for chain/back stay. Says you need the little plastic widget if you want it to be a cable stop, but ignore that and you've got an assortment of cable guides from which to choose.

I measured my fork blades near the top, looks like they're 1-1/8" x 5/8". Not looking too promising for those clip options. I'll have to look into those adhesive ones...I'd be worried about them coming off in wet/cold weather.

agmetal 02-28-14 01:44 PM


Originally Posted by mconlonx (Post 16535958)
Doesn't really apply in the OPs case, but I tend to like running drum brake cable/housing through the headset of a threadless setup using BMX-style through-the-headtube hardware. Answer makes one, there are others out there. Cable/housing runs out the bottom of the fork and I'll usually use one zip tie somewhere on or very near the fork crown area. Visually, cleans things up by hiding the big run of floppy cable/housing, and routes it to where it can be more or less hidden.

This is going to a disk brake and the fork actually has a cable guide, but you get the idea:
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...3&d=1369830515

Not through the headset, but cable run under the grip, routing unsecured until it hits the drum cable stop:
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...2&d=1359392870

The stem idea is interesting, but you've correctly assumed that it won't work on my bike (quill stem). In the second picture, that looks cleaner than I'd expected (although I have my right hand controlling the front brake, so it would be crossing in front of the headtube). Do you run into any issues or excessive noise with the cable bouncing around?

dsbrantjr 02-28-14 02:01 PM

"I'd be worried about them coming off in wet/cold weather."
I'd be more worried about them coming off in hot weather when the adhesive softens and creeps.

You could also use self-fusing silicone tape in a matching or contrasting color (or clear) to strap the cable to the fork; it won't come loose and since it only sticks to itself it can be easily removed without leaving a sticky residue behind.

mconlonx 02-28-14 02:30 PM


Originally Posted by agmetal (Post 16536031)
The stem idea is interesting, but you've correctly assumed that it won't work on my bike (quill stem). In the second picture, that looks cleaner than I'd expected (although I have my right hand controlling the front brake, so it would be crossing in front of the headtube). Do you run into any issues or excessive noise with the cable bouncing around?

It was actually staying in place quite nicely. You can't see it from this angle, but the bolt-on fork bracket for the brake torque arm provided a nice place to tuck the housing in a way which kept it more stable than you'd think. I fully expected to have to zip tie it up near the crown, but never got around to it and it was never an issue. Might be a bit of trial and error, but if you got the correct housing length down, you might not even need to anchor the housing to the fork.

agmetal 02-28-14 02:34 PM

Cool...I'll probably try that to start, and see how it works out. If only the damn hub would hurry up and get here!

surreal 02-28-14 09:06 PM

I used electrical tape, b/c i'm classy. Plus, i've got front drums on bikes with black forks....

JohnDThompson 02-28-14 09:24 PM

You just need a braze-on :innocent:

http://www.os2.dhs.org/~john/commuter/05.jpg

surreal 02-28-14 09:27 PM


Originally Posted by JohnDThompson (Post 16537210)
You just need a braze-on :innocent:

Brutally trick.:thumb:

fietsbob 03-01-14 12:59 AM

I made a guide, its bolted to the backside of the fork crown, and has a P clamp to loosely hold the housing.

Matariki 03-01-14 05:59 AM


Originally Posted by Jeff Wills (Post 16534251)
Zip ties are how I did it 30 years ago. The cable attachments used for disc brake cables might also work:

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...&category=1613

http://www.universalcycles.com/image...dium/40212.jpg

I have these on my bike. I liked the look until they pulled away from the fork. The cable springiness slowly peels them off. I am using a zip tie now at the top of the fork. Whenever I repaint, I'll be adding some braze-ons.

Chesterton 03-01-14 08:25 AM


Originally Posted by mconlonx (Post 16534951)
Or, in the Sturmey Archer catalog, check out the cable guides on p. 46.

Just wanted to thank you for posting the catalog link. I need to replace my cables and housing and have been having a hard time figuring out what my options are, so this is very helpful.

noglider 03-01-14 12:26 PM

Yeah, great catalog. I really like what the new Sturmey Archer has become. It's a bike geek's dream company.


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