Basic Cable Replacement Kits: Do they Fit Vintage Controls?
 

Does anyone have experience the pre-packaged brake and shifter cable kits (for example Jagwire non-boxed "shop kits" on eBay .... cables, wire, and all ferrules for like $25, or Jagwire Road Pro Kit for about $35). I want to replace all the cables on a Motobecane Grand Touring from the 1980's (Huret Duo derailleur) 58cm frame.

Are these kits targeted for modern aero levers (sleeker and shorter length cable runs) or would they have enough cable length to fit the arabesque doodles of 1980's vintage bike's controls?

Also, is there anything I need to be concerned with regarding compatibility of the shifter cable itself to fit the Huret derailleur or are shifter cables universal? Dittoo for the brake cable for Weinman centerpull brakes?

Thanks a bunch!

You have to watch out for the ends. Typically they incorporate both Shimano and Campy or they are opposite ends and you cut off what you don't need. I have not found that length is an issue.

Check what you have against what is provided for the ends of the cables. Those are the only compatibility issues I have run into.

In terms of cable diameter. Don't use the smaller for brake cables. You can use the more current smaller diameter shift cables with older shifters and deraileurs.

Yes, they have more than enough length for that application.

Velo Orange cable kits fit most vintage stuff. I put one on a DA 7400 group from the late 80s.

That hasn't been my experience with the Jagwire Road Pro kit. The housing measurement reads long enough for a non-aero application but about 8" of it has a different flexible shell that is designed to work with aero levers and go under your bar wrap. End result: Not enough housing for a vintage, non-aero application.

Jagwire does offer a Road Pro XL kit which comes with longer housings that would presumably correct this situation. Only offered in a few colors though.

I still use Jagwire but I now buy the cables and housing separately from places like Universal. I can get the lengths I need and it's less expensive than the Road Pro kit.

i usually order 7' of housing to cover a vintage bike with non-aero levers.

walmart has bell brand cable kits, 2 brake and 2 shift cables WITH housings, ferrules, etc for under $10. I have used them on many a bike flip and they work perfectly.

To fit my Motobecane with new cables and casing, I simply went to a local bike shop and bought six feet, or so, of nylon lined casing and the necessary teflon coated cables, both derailleur and brake. Make sure they include casing ends (usually sealed these days) and cable caps, or ends. Also, make sure you ask for mountain bike or road bike - there is a difference. The brake cables fitted in the picture are of mountain bike design.

I've used Jagwire kits purchased on ebay before and never had a problem with them - full length rear brake housing, Simplex shifters and non-aero (both Campy and Zeus) brake levers.

One thing to watch out for is the metal braided kit from Jagwire. They are damn nice looking, but they're a little too thick to fit in some spots.

that probably costs me an additional $17 over ebay prices with no real benefit.
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Make sure to keep those little black plastic cable inserts if they're on your Moto cable guides. Also, on occasion, Huret shifters take disc cable ends rather than barrel ends, so check that too. Finally, the $9 Bell kits work fine for friction shifting applications.

I just buy rolls of housing. Recently bought a 50 foot roll of white lined housing for about $10 at Niagara Cycle.

This kit does not have the bendy section for aero levers, has plenty of housing, has double-ended brake cables for either road or mountain levers, and comes in lots of colors.

Cons: It's galvanized not stainless cable. It's not strictly compatible with Ergos, but you can make it work with a little sandpaper.

https://www.amazon.com/Jagwire-Unive...dp/B01B3UWMI8/

This is not the only listing, there are a few others.

I had exactly the same experience with the Road Pro kit:

http://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...cable-kit.html