Question about cables and installing STI levers.
 

Hello All. I'm going to install STI levers. Right now, I have Shimano 105 , Areo levers (standard). My question, can I reuse the brake cables, as they were just replaced ? They do run under the handlebar tape. My concern is , will the cables be the same length , when connected to the STI levers ?

I'm not too concerned about the left cable, as I have some lengths left over from the re-cable project, just the rear brake cable length.

Thanks for your input. KB

Typically still levers are a bit longer than regular aero levers. Look at your levers next to each other, that's how much more cable you'll need.

You may have enough wiggle room with your cable/housing, you may not.

Thanks, I have a bike with STI's, guess I'll measure, thanks for the idea. Haven't ordered the STI's yet. KB

If you buy new STIs they often come with cables. Otherwise my usual practice in a case like this is to use the old rear cable as the new front cable and just use a new cable for the front. You lose a little lengthcutting the old ones and you generally want to get rid of the part that was clamped to the brake to avoid fraying.

Thanks Andy. I'm going the cheap route, getting MicroShifters for my old Ciocc , Shimano 7 speed. Only come with inner DR cables. So, doing a little planning. I have DR outer cable leftover from another project. I have cable stops on hand, too. KB

Gotcha. One trick that you can use if the cable is just a little bit too short is to cut it and put in and inline barrel adjuster. It'll give you and extra inch and can sometimes even be useful.

Thanks Andy, great idea. KB