ibo

I recently read here something about the "inter usage" of brake and gear cable housings.
O.k. I am a novice:
Brake cables can be used in both derailleur and brake cable housings? Or is it that derailleur cables can be used in both cable and derailleur housings?

Also what brand is the following frame? It's like 60's or 70's I believe but no indication/name/decal, etc.
Thanks.
Ibohttps://www.bikeforums.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

DOS

Index shifters use compressionless housing, a cross-section of which would reveal a bundle of parellel wire strands rather than a single coil. The compressionless housing makes for more consistent shifting because it is less subject to changes in length than coiled housing as handlebars turn and the cables flex. The argument goes that it is not strong enough for brakes and could rupture (so says Sheldon Brown and who am I to argue), so it should not be used as brake housing. You can use regular coiled housing with index shifters but your shifting will likely be less crisp over time.

No clue about the frame

UnsafeAlpine

Did you try the Vintage forum? They love What kind of bike is this threads.

jccaclimber

Correct on the housing remark. Brake housing works both ways although it does not shift as well as shifter housing. Shifter housing can and will fail under heavy breaking loads, I've seen destroyed housing on bikes where shift housing was installed all around. The riders were lucky to stop in time.

operator

The only combo that doesn't work is derailleur housing for brakes = dangerous.

ibo

Thank you!

wrk101

Looks like you have some rust issues to deal with prior to building up this frame. I would suggest you inspect the bottom bracket area (internal) as well as the seat tube internally for rust. If you have significant rust there, do a search for oxalic acid. There are lots of threads on rust treatment. I am treating six frames myself right now (cheaper and more efficient to do it campaign style, treatment costs the same (I reuse all materials), so by doing six bikes, the cost per bike is 1/6 as much.

tellyho

Serious rust. I might go the sandblast/powdercoat route if I were you.