Headset Mounted Cable Hanger
#27
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#28
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Bikes: 78 Masi Criterium, 68 PX10, 2016 Mercian King of Mercia, Rivendell Clem Smith Jr
I've had this question too. There really isn't a lot out there for traditional headset mounting on a 1" steer tube. Many vintage bikes have only enough room on the steer tube and headset stack to allow for a thin steel vintage type cable hanger. This limits you to:
- Vintage MAFAC. They work fine, but do flex a bit. There are two models, as verktyg mentioned, but even the fancier one flexes, albeit less. Looks elegant.
- Dia Compe / Weinmann: IMO these are probably the best of the vintage type. Not exactly elegant appearance, but they are stiffer than MAFAC and the QR can be handy. I find that the built in QR of may TRP RRL levers isn't quite enough when running GP4000 28c tires on A23 rims.
- generic knock offs of the above. Rivendell sells a generic aluminum one that might be a bit stiffer than vintage, if you have a couple extra mm.
- A stem with a cable stop. This was once very common. Not great if you fiddle with your position a lot, but for those that tend to leave stem height alone, it's an elegant way to go. People used to drill holes in aluminum quill stems. I think I'd go cro-mo with this method, because I can't help myself when I see a gravel road when I'm on my touring bike.
For a more modern bike or if you have just a tiny bit more steer tube and headset stack to work with, that Fairweather/Nitto hanger looks great to me. Very cool design. FWIW I've ordered stuff directly from Fairweather, and it has been no problem. I've eyeballed those stops before, and thought about putting the 1 1/8" version on my Mercian, along with a matching nickel finished Nitto stem. It'd be a nice way to get a more retro look. Never did it though, since my current setup is fine.
There are of course many modern aluminum stops if you've got 1 1/8" threadless set up, and they work well. The extra stiffness gives more of a precise feel to the brakes.
- Vintage MAFAC. They work fine, but do flex a bit. There are two models, as verktyg mentioned, but even the fancier one flexes, albeit less. Looks elegant.
- Dia Compe / Weinmann: IMO these are probably the best of the vintage type. Not exactly elegant appearance, but they are stiffer than MAFAC and the QR can be handy. I find that the built in QR of may TRP RRL levers isn't quite enough when running GP4000 28c tires on A23 rims.
- generic knock offs of the above. Rivendell sells a generic aluminum one that might be a bit stiffer than vintage, if you have a couple extra mm.
- A stem with a cable stop. This was once very common. Not great if you fiddle with your position a lot, but for those that tend to leave stem height alone, it's an elegant way to go. People used to drill holes in aluminum quill stems. I think I'd go cro-mo with this method, because I can't help myself when I see a gravel road when I'm on my touring bike.

For a more modern bike or if you have just a tiny bit more steer tube and headset stack to work with, that Fairweather/Nitto hanger looks great to me. Very cool design. FWIW I've ordered stuff directly from Fairweather, and it has been no problem. I've eyeballed those stops before, and thought about putting the 1 1/8" version on my Mercian, along with a matching nickel finished Nitto stem. It'd be a nice way to get a more retro look. Never did it though, since my current setup is fine.
There are of course many modern aluminum stops if you've got 1 1/8" threadless set up, and they work well. The extra stiffness gives more of a precise feel to the brakes.
#29
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From: Concord, NC
Bikes: 1984 Bianchi Tipo Corsa, 1985 Cannondale SM600 (24/26)
Suntour
I'm also using the Suntour - black that came stock on the bike.
I finally found a set of Odyssey Straddle Rods in the longer size that I'm going to replace the cable with. I still don't know why...I guess I always thought they were "Cool"!
Sorry for the blurry pic - phone's camera isn't that great.
I finally found a set of Odyssey Straddle Rods in the longer size that I'm going to replace the cable with. I still don't know why...I guess I always thought they were "Cool"!
Sorry for the blurry pic - phone's camera isn't that great.
#31
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From: Waukesha WI
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
I'm also using the Suntour - black that came stock on the bike.
I finally found a set of Odyssey Straddle Rods in the longer size that I'm going to replace the cable with. I still don't know why...I guess I always thought they were "Cool"!
Sorry for the blurry pic - phone's camera isn't that great.

I finally found a set of Odyssey Straddle Rods in the longer size that I'm going to replace the cable with. I still don't know why...I guess I always thought they were "Cool"!
Sorry for the blurry pic - phone's camera isn't that great.

The one I have doesn't clamp on to the stem very well- or at least tightly enough that I'd feel comfortable with it.
SunTour Head Binder by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
#32
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From: Concord, NC
Bikes: 1984 Bianchi Tipo Corsa, 1985 Cannondale SM600 (24/26)
How does that mount on there?
The one I have doesn't clamp on to the stem very well- or at least tightly enough that I'd feel comfortable with it.

SunTour Head Binder by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
The one I have doesn't clamp on to the stem very well- or at least tightly enough that I'd feel comfortable with it.

SunTour Head Binder by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
#33
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From: Waukesha WI
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
Thanks!
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
#34
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Extraordinary Magnitude


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From: Waukesha WI
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
The the lock ring nut pictured above doesn't fit inside the collar- and it can't pinch down on the nut underneath it- unless there's something else that goes inside the collar... right?
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*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
#35
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From: Concord, NC
Bikes: 1984 Bianchi Tipo Corsa, 1985 Cannondale SM600 (24/26)
I think I must be missing something- theres the ferrule, the collar, and the lock ring nut thing... is there anything else?
The the lock ring nut pictured above doesn't fit inside the collar- and it can't pinch down on the nut underneath it- unless there's something else that goes inside the collar... right?
The the lock ring nut pictured above doesn't fit inside the collar- and it can't pinch down on the nut underneath it- unless there's something else that goes inside the collar... right?
#36
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Extraordinary Magnitude


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From: Waukesha WI
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
There is a thin nut that seems made specifically for that hanger. Look at the underside of the hanger - there is probably an angled indentation designed to accept the nut. It has to be lined-up right to fit over it. You might have an incorrect nut. The setup should be: headset race is installed, portion of steerer tube protruding. Maybe you'll need a spacer on top of it, maybe not. Thin Lock-nut goes on top of that. Adjust headset with nut "angles" set to accept hanger to sit straight. Still steerer tube protruding just enough to accept hanger. Shove on hanger. Put ferrule in hanger. Tighten pinch bolt. I guess you could let the hanger be installed sitting on top of an incorrectly sized nut, but the recessed nut, I think helps keep the collar from rotating.
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
#37
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From: Waukesha WI
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
I think I have an incorrect nut.

SunTour Head Binder by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr

SunTour Head Binder by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr

SunTour Head Binder by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr

SunTour Head Binder by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
#38
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From: Concord, NC
Bikes: 1984 Bianchi Tipo Corsa, 1985 Cannondale SM600 (24/26)
It's hard to describe, but see how the roughly "triangular" bit with the slot and ferrule-hole steps down to the "circular" section with the hole to fit over the steerer-tube? The circular section fits over the nut. I just took another look at mine and it is set with one of the nut's flats against the "triangular" section. I might have been over-stating the shape of the hanger's underside - it's been a while since I scrutinized it.
#39
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[MENTION=455882]Bianchi84[/MENTION]
Thank you VERY much for going through the effort to take pix for me!
That was really cool of you!
I really appreciate it!
So as you tighten the pinch bolt- it squeezes on the two flats of the headset nut!
Thank you!
Thank you VERY much for going through the effort to take pix for me!
That was really cool of you!
I really appreciate it!
So as you tighten the pinch bolt- it squeezes on the two flats of the headset nut!
Thank you!
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
#40
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From: Concord, NC
Bikes: 1984 Bianchi Tipo Corsa, 1985 Cannondale SM600 (24/26)
Your welcome. One last clarification based on you last post, the pinch bolt is tightening the hanger to the threaded part of the steerer tube. That thin lock nut is really held in place like the regular headset top-nut that it is replacing; it is essentially tightened down against the adjusting cup - acting in place of your old top nut. When all else fails, there is always your Local Bike Shop!
#41
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Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
Destroyer of myths, teller of truths, breaker of hearts... 
Over the past few years I've seen a number of C&V aficionados especially in the CR group who are overly enthralled with the old cast aluminum CLB cable hangers, particularly the ones with the castellated teeth to fit Stronglight P3 and V4 headsets.
Personal experience BITD: I tried several of these CLB hangers on my first off road bike with MAFAC cantilever brakes. Both broke before I could try them out for real. I also had several break on customer's bikes.
They were poorly designed (wimpy) and the cast aluminum was too weak!
213, 213M, 213ER, 214

The cheapest MAFAC brakes used these stamped hangers. They flex.

The better ones had these stamped hangers, thicker with reinforcing curves in thge front . The flexed a lot less and came in plated steel and stainless steel versions.

Both Weinmann and Dia-Comp provided these stamped steel hangers with reinforcements to add rigidity. They also had versions with QRs.

verktyg

Over the past few years I've seen a number of C&V aficionados especially in the CR group who are overly enthralled with the old cast aluminum CLB cable hangers, particularly the ones with the castellated teeth to fit Stronglight P3 and V4 headsets.
Personal experience BITD: I tried several of these CLB hangers on my first off road bike with MAFAC cantilever brakes. Both broke before I could try them out for real. I also had several break on customer's bikes.
They were poorly designed (wimpy) and the cast aluminum was too weak!
213, 213M, 213ER, 214

The cheapest MAFAC brakes used these stamped hangers. They flex.

The better ones had these stamped hangers, thicker with reinforcing curves in thge front . The flexed a lot less and came in plated steel and stainless steel versions.

Both Weinmann and Dia-Comp provided these stamped steel hangers with reinforcements to add rigidity. They also had versions with QRs.

verktyg

I'll dig around and see if I can find one of those steel versions.
I'd like to get the front brake cable loop under the handlebar, but not at the risk of something breaking.
#42
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Extraordinary Magnitude


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From: Waukesha WI
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
__________________
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
#45
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#46
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#48
[MENTION=61614]verktyg[/MENTION] If you look on the bottom side of that Ritchey hanger it should be stamped Dia Compe. I have one that came on my early 90s MB-2.
I'm building an 80s mtb with a Specialized slingshot stem with a built in hanger. The hanger is on a rod that can be rotated and then set in place with a set screw once adjusted to the desired angle. Way over-engineered but cool. I'll take pics later.
I'm building an 80s mtb with a Specialized slingshot stem with a built in hanger. The hanger is on a rod that can be rotated and then set in place with a set screw once adjusted to the desired angle. Way over-engineered but cool. I'll take pics later.
#49
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From: Seattle WA
Bikes: 2009 Handsome Devil, 1987 Trek 520 Cirrus, 1978 Motobecane Grand Touring, 1987 Nishiki Cresta GT, 1989 Specialized Allez Former bikes; 1986 Miyata Trail Runner, 1979 Miyata 912, 2011 VO Rando, 1999 Cannondale R800, 1986 Schwinn Passage
#50
verktyg
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From: SF Bay Area
Bikes: Current favorites: 1988 Peugeot Birraritz, 1984 Gitane Super Corsa, 1980s DeRosa, 1981 Bianchi Campione Del Mondo, 1992 Paramount OS, 1988 Colnago Technos, 1985 RalieghUSA SBDU Team Pro
Ritchey Front Cable Hanger
The levers and cantis are DiaCompe on this rough stuff trekking bike with upright bars.

Touring frame that I built at the same time with MAFAC cantis.

There is zero flex in these hangers (well maybe a small amount).
verktyg
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