Internal Brake Cable Routing Question
02-11-17 | 05:04 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2017
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Internal Brake Cable Routing Question
Hi there, I've got an older frame with two holes in the top tube for an internally routed brake cable. When I bought the bike (second-hand) it wasn't being used, they simply had the brake cable in a normal exterior housing running alongside the top tube. What are the pros and cons of using the internal routing vs exterior? I'm redoing my cables so considering both options.
Also, if I use the internal routing, do I need a narrow housing within the hole, or can you just thread the cable in bare?
Thanks for any advice.
Also, if I use the internal routing, do I need a narrow housing within the hole, or can you just thread the cable in bare?
Thanks for any advice.
Last edited by ihcob; 02-11-17 at 05:09 PM.
02-11-17 | 05:18 PM
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 770
Likes: 12
From: Utah
Bikes: '88 Trek 1200, '91 Trek 1400
Looks similar to the internal tt routing on my Treks.
Regular housing threads in just fine. On my bikes the housing travels the entire length. I wouldn't use external routing because it would bother me that they were there and not being used.
Regular housing threads in just fine. On my bikes the housing travels the entire length. I wouldn't use external routing because it would bother me that they were there and not being used.
02-12-17 | 07:51 AM
#4
Full Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 346
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From: Retired to Penang Malaysia originally from UK
Bikes: My 1978 Raleigh from new, 1995 Trek, & constant changing & rebuilding of other bike projects.
If they are fitted use them, look better & as intended, however try a short piece of cable 1st & make sure its not clogged up internally, obviously a shifter cable OD is smaller than a brake cable due to its type so try that 1st, make sure it slides through, again obviously don't have the cable end on, Jagwire cable is very stiff so if you any issues like being blocked with paint etc find a length of Jagwire cable.
02-12-17 | 07:54 AM
#5
feros ferio
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 22,400
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From: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
I have never seen any benefit to internal cable routing, but, yes, if the frame already has holes in it, then you should probably use it.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
02-12-17 | 10:40 AM
#6
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Joined: Feb 2017
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Unfortunately having now attempted to thread a cable through the hole, there seems to be a large blockage halfway down the tube... That explains why the previous shop owner sold it to me with an exterior housing. Bummer. Not entirely sure how one could go about fixing that, unless they had the world's longest drill bit.
