Squeeze

I am planning to replace all the cables on my mountain bike this weekend. It will be my first time doing this. I bought two of these products to replace my current straddle cables of unknown age on a 22-year-old bike.

Tektro Alloy Brake Straddle Cable Triangle w/cable Black



Clearly there's a set screw at the top of the triangle to secure the triangle to the cable coming down from the brake lever. I understand that.

And, one of the lower corners has a bolt going into a nut. It appears the straddle cable would ride on top of this (or these) so it could slide back and forth as the brakes are applied and released.

But, the other lower corner has what appears to be a set screw that, when brand new, is backed out about halfway. There's just enough room for the straddle cable to go down between where the set screw ends and the side wall of the triangle is. It appears I could clamp the cable in place with that set screw if I wanted to. But do I want to? Shouldn't the straddle cable be free to slide back and forth in the triangle as the brakes are applied and released?

Thanks for any advice.

jmeb

During setup and centering of the brakes, sure -- it should be able to slide freely to get them centered. However once centered the straddle shouldn't slide left/right during braking. Sliding in either direction will off-center your brakes. The triangle should just go up and down. I believe those nuts are to lightly secure the straddle in the correct position on the hanger.