mediablasters

Hi All,

I am moving well along on my build/rebuild. I am waiting on my shifters come in but I did get the short pull brake levers and cables changed out but two things happen:

1) the cable lost like one string (term) when I was trying run through it and was able to get out but how much weaker is the cable? Is it still strong?

2). The Shimano cables I used have an end which seems to grab on well to the short pull lever but really not perfect fit. Is that very unsafe?

I wanted this bike for comfort and rehab and one day she crack of sunlight so still want safety.

thank you reading

cyccommute 

Most of the time a loose strand will just bunch up on the cable and the cable won’t go through the housing. At that point, you usually need to get a new cable. If you got it through and the loose strand is near the anchor bolt, I wouldn’t worry too much about it. I’ve seen lots of brake cable that is hanging on by far too few wire strands that seem to still be functional. If the strand is covered by the housing, I’d be concerned about it catching on the inside of the housing and jamming. That would cause the brakes to not release. It’s not likely to break but could cause issues later.

If in doubt, however, get a new cable. They are cheap.

Cable ends aren’t usually too tight in the lever, especially on flat bars. The head needs to rotate a little so that the cable doesn’t bind and kink the cable.

HillRider

Your cable lost one strand of the many (19 in the case of Shimano brake cables) that are twisted together so it's down by only a small percent in strength. It's probably still strong enough but be more careful in the future.

Brake cables have one of two fitting types at the lever end. Road levers take a small mushroom shaped fitting and MTB levers require a small barrel shaped fitting. Be sure you have the right type. Shimano/SRAM and Campagnolo use slightly different size road fittings but Shimano cables use the larger of the two sizes. In either case the fitting should fit the lever well but not be a tight fit.

BTW, new cables come with the strands at the non-lever end welded together to prevent fraying when they are installed. You cut off the excess after they are completely threaded through the lever and housing and clamped at the brake end.

mediablasters

Thank you for the response. I will use this indoor for now but given the costs, I will just switch them out. Last thing I need is when I see the light of day to basically ed up with no brakes. Ha!

mediablasters

Exactly my issue, it seems like it is gripping fine but obviously not the one it is made for. I need to get the barrel style and change it out when I get outdoors.

Thank you for the reply. I was not sure of the terminilogy.

I think that may be in my future by fall is my hope as I love that time of the year around here for riding.

tFUnK

I've done this before (using a road brake cable with a MTB brake lever) and it worked for a while but ultimately did fail. The unmatched interface at the lever end resulted in too much undesired fatigue, would be my guess.