Clothesline as brake cable housing on cheap builds?
08-31-14, 09:51 AM
#1
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Clothesline as brake cable housing on cheap builds?
Does reinforced clotheslines work as brake cable housing or is it too soft?
Bowden cable - Wikipedia
Bowden cable - Wikipedia
08-31-14, 10:18 AM
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I've never seen any clothesline that was hollow so I don't know how you'd feed the cable through, just go to WalMart and buy the Bell cable kit for six bucks and some change for a cheap build.
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08-31-14, 10:28 AM
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Seriously? Clothesline casing is attached to the inner wire. It doesn't slide inside like a brake cable would need to (i.e. not a Bowden cable). Then there's the question of how you would remove the casing while keeping it intact for the brake cable. So, no.
Don't over-think it:
Jagwire Brake Shifter Cable Housing Kit Road Mountain Bike | eBay
Don't over-think it:
Jagwire Brake Shifter Cable Housing Kit Road Mountain Bike | eBay
08-31-14, 10:30 AM
#4
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Never tried clothesline but if you're gonna do a LOT of bikes, I'd just get the big ol' roll of housing. It's good for about 100 MTBs worth of shifter and brake cables (less than that if you get a lot of bikes with full housing runs). Better to use shifter housing for indexed shifting but I think this works fine for 7-speed MTBs. Even 8-speed MTBs seems OK to me.
JAG 5mm Black BrakeHousing, 200M Shop Box
JAG 5mm Black BrakeHousing, 200M Shop Box
Last edited by LesterOfPuppets; 08-31-14 at 02:17 PM.
08-31-14, 10:36 AM
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In addition to problems with the casing not letting it fit within the cable housing, I don't know how you'll get a ferrule on the end so that the shifter can control the shift action.
08-31-14, 10:41 AM
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lined housing in basic colors is $1/ft on ebay (plus $1 shipping), costing about $8 total for a whole bike.
08-31-14, 10:49 AM
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08-31-14, 12:02 PM
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I think the OP probably should have saved this question to post on April 1...
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08-31-14, 12:08 PM
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08-31-14, 01:22 PM
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This kind of plays into that liability thing someone mentioned in the thread about a private mechanic.
If your really that desperate to save money on your flips maybe it is time to go back to being a barista.
If your really that desperate to save money on your flips maybe it is time to go back to being a barista.
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08-31-14, 04:48 PM
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I will come back with some more straight forward and expected question next time. Until then you can flip your espresso.
08-31-14, 05:26 PM
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I do think the whole "clothesline" thing refers more to the fact that old brake housing ("the proper kind!" - C&v Curmudgeon") wasn't hidden under the handlebar tape.
But yeah, there's probably some multiple use stuff, I've seen the kind of stainless braided hose used for style on choppers, and surgical tubing too on really weight weenie bikes, but never came across a clothesline that would work as a brake cable. But then again, I do need to take bettercare of my laundry.
But yeah, there's probably some multiple use stuff, I've seen the kind of stainless braided hose used for style on choppers, and surgical tubing too on really weight weenie bikes, but never came across a clothesline that would work as a brake cable. But then again, I do need to take bettercare of my laundry.
08-31-14, 05:49 PM
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Incredibly arrogant. I thought you could discuss ideas here openly. But no. The stage is set for how high you can go. I thought it was a fun idea, who knows their might be a clothesline that works as housing.
I will come back with some more straight forward and expected question next time. Until then you can flip your espresso.
I will come back with some more straight forward and expected question next time. Until then you can flip your espresso.
This isn't arrogance, its just the way it needs to work. Think it through yourself.
And yes, it's fun, but we'd hate to see anyone get hurt after trying this out for real.
And BTW, BG is one of the non-arrogant experts. Wanna see arrogance, keep watching the engineers here, such as me.
But keep up your search, carefully.
08-31-14, 06:59 PM
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Clothesline = bad idea. Stopping is very important. If a bike cannot justify around $1.50 in housing and $2 in cables, then pass on it.
Compromising braking is not a fun idea.
Best way to save is buy in bulk, and maybe split an order with a friend.
BG is incredibly giving on this forum.
08-31-14, 07:14 PM
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Incredibly arrogant. I thought you could discuss ideas here openly. But no. The stage is set for how high you can go. I thought it was a fun idea, who knows their might be a clothesline that works as housing.
I will come back with some more straight forward and expected question next time. Until then you can flip your espresso.
I will come back with some more straight forward and expected question next time. Until then you can flip your espresso.
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08-31-14, 08:00 PM
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What about brake pads from the soles of old sneakers? Maybe bar tape from that stuff they wrap your arm with after you give blood? Lots of colors!
08-31-14, 08:26 PM
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There seems to be a link to wikipedia that explains what a Bowden cable right below the picture of a package of cloths line in the op. It works and is interesting to read.
08-31-14, 08:43 PM
#18
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+1 on the Bell Walmart cable kits. Others have mentioned that you can get them even cheaper online and it's probably true but if your like me and lack the foresight and storage space to keep spare inventory around, Bell comes through for instant gratification at a cheap price.
08-31-14, 09:03 PM
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This has been an amusing thread for me.
Road Fan saved me from having to say anything more.
Road Fan saved me from having to say anything more.
08-31-14, 09:17 PM
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Never tried clothesline but if you're gonna do a LOT of bikes, I'd just get the big ol' roll of housing. It's good for about 100 MTBs worth of shifter and brake cables (less than that if you get a lot of bikes with full housing runs). Better to use shifter housing for indexed shifting but I think this works fine for 7-speed MTBs. Even 8-speed MTBs seems OK to me.
JAG 5mm Black BrakeHousing, 200M Shop Box
JAG 5mm Black BrakeHousing, 200M Shop Box
Last edited by Uncle Randy; 08-31-14 at 09:32 PM.
08-31-14, 10:20 PM
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it's good to think outside the bike store box on occasion.
09-01-14, 03:16 AM
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No, there was no arrogance in your statement. The OP's response was out of line.
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09-01-14, 05:47 AM
#23
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I won't try this on any bike, I am almost beyond meticulous. It was more like an open question, as research. You can't state every case or every reason why you ask questions. That would be extremely tedious. You have to assume that the reader has got a brain
. I am not here to get likes, I never liked preaching to the converted. I like the discussions. No questions = no answers. But this might be too hypothetical and philosophical for most.Yes Bianchigirll is an amazing source in this forum! But when stressed some shows their real character (that is not directed to Bianchigirll). Creativity is dangerous, but humour and a sober mind is even worse. Manners gents, manners ...
09-01-14, 05:59 AM
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There are no dumb questions.
I won't try this on any bike, I am almost beyond meticulous. It was more like an open question, as research. You can't state every case or every reason why you ask questions. That would be extremely tedious. You have to assume that the reader has got a brain. I am not here to get likes, I never liked preaching to the converted. I like the discussions. No questions = no answers. But this might be too hypothetical and philosophical for most.
Yes Bianchigirll is an amazing source in this forum! But when stressed some shows their real character (that is not directed to Bianchigirll). Creativity is dangerous, but humour and a sober mind is even worse. Manners gents, manners ...
I won't try this on any bike, I am almost beyond meticulous. It was more like an open question, as research. You can't state every case or every reason why you ask questions. That would be extremely tedious. You have to assume that the reader has got a brain
. I am not here to get likes, I never liked preaching to the converted. I like the discussions. No questions = no answers. But this might be too hypothetical and philosophical for most.Yes Bianchigirll is an amazing source in this forum! But when stressed some shows their real character (that is not directed to Bianchigirll). Creativity is dangerous, but humour and a sober mind is even worse. Manners gents, manners ...
Several posters have talked about the cost efficiency of buying cable in bulk.
I did that when we were selling bikes frequently and it is the best way to go.
Done deal.