Brake Cable Adjustment Question
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Brake Cable Adjustment Question
OK, I am sure I am exposing my stupidity here BUT...I am used to installing new brake cable on my older bikes with single pivot sidepulls but for some reason I am having trouble with some new Tektro dual pivots I just stuck on a bike. Should they be adjusted differently. I used my third hand tool to clamp the brakes shut on the rim and then pulled the cable through tight and tightened the bolt. The result is that while the levers don't hit the bar they are still soft and have to be pushed pretty far before gripping. What am I doing wrong or not doing at all? I pulled the cable through with the quick release in the closed position.
#2
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Did you also change your cables/casings? It kind of sounds like you do not have all the slack out of the cable. If you changed casings, and did not use ferules on the ends of the casing, this MAY be causing some slack.
I do not have a third hand to use, so I usually just hold the brake pads closed with one hand while tightening the cable/clamp. Have not had the slack problem so far.
I do not have a third hand to use, so I usually just hold the brake pads closed with one hand while tightening the cable/clamp. Have not had the slack problem so far.
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Yes I changed the housing and no I did not use the ferrules on the ends. I didn't think I needed to actually. Perhaps that is my issue?
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That may be it. The ferule seats on the end of the casing, allowing ALL the slack to be removed when adjusting. You DID use brake casing, didn't you?
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Yes I replaced both the cables and the housing.
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With BRAKE casing? It is different than derailleur casing, which does not stand up to the force of braking pressure very well.
Not trying to make it sound like you don't know this stuff, but I don't know if you do.
Not trying to make it sound like you don't know this stuff, but I don't know if you do.
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Yes. I picked it up with a Rivendell order I did. It was only brake stuff.
https://www.rivbike.com/products/show...dentals/15-131
https://www.rivbike.com/products/show...dentals/15-131
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what kind of brake levers do you have? aero or nonaero? shimano? diacompe? how old are they? daul pivots should not adjust any differently than regular side pulls.
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I added new brake levers and calipers so they are both brand new. Tektro R200 levers and Tektro dual pivots. I will add the ferrules and see if that helps.
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well there goes my theory, but double check where the housing meets the lever and be sure it is not pulling through
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Did you cut the cabling yourself? Did you make sure your cuts were clean and well finished with no pig tailing or otherwise jagged edges? Is your cable routing efficient and loose enough to allow proper cable movement? Is the cable housing properly seated within the brake lever hood body?
#12
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On a brand new install like this the lever will always be a trifle spongy at first until the new pads wear to the rims. Other than that and maybe the lack of ferrules I don't see much wrong to point to. Oh, and due to the extra length the rear will always be a bit more spongy that the front.
Beyond that I'd say it was poor quality cable and housing but if you got it from Rivendell I'm thinking that this isn't a possibility. I'd only expect cable and housing issues if the stuff came from Walmart or similar.
Beyond that I'd say it was poor quality cable and housing but if you got it from Rivendell I'm thinking that this isn't a possibility. I'd only expect cable and housing issues if the stuff came from Walmart or similar.
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You usually don't really need ferrules for the brake stuff if you grind the ends of your housings flat.
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Check to make sure the housing is seated fully up into the levers.
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I am not sure. But since they come with them, I just go ahead and use them. Probably redundant.
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if you didn't use the ferrule eventually the housing just started to pull into the body of the lever
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OK, I am sure I am exposing my stupidity here BUT...I am used to installing new brake cable on my older bikes with single pivot sidepulls but for some reason I am having trouble with some new Tektro dual pivots I just stuck on a bike. Should they be adjusted differently. I used my third hand tool to clamp the brakes shut on the rim and then pulled the cable through tight and tightened the bolt. The result is that while the levers don't hit the bar they are still soft and have to be pushed pretty far before gripping. What am I doing wrong or not doing at all? I pulled the cable through with the quick release in the closed position.
Don in Austin