reroute cables - accept it or change it?
 

Due to looking at too many nice bikes in this forum I have realized that my cables were incorrectly routed when originally built up. The rear brake cable (when standing in front of the bike) goes around the left side of the headtube and up and under the top tube to the opening (internally routed to the back). The two shifter cables are routed properly, but the housing is unnecessarily long.

I'm contemplating working on these, but feel it is a bit silly considering it won't change anything about how the bike rides. Purely aesthetics.

Also, the rear brake is a Delta and I have not worked on these before and read they are difficult to work on. I think to cut the housing on the shifters I'd have to undue the cables, pull them out, cut the housing, rethread, and possibly adjust the derailleurs. Can't decide what to do...

1) Leave it alone, ride the bike, and stop looking at it so much.

2) Work on it myself, which could take quite some time since I'm new to Delta brakes. And, working on derailleurs is something I've still yet to get really good at.

3) Take it to the shop and tell them I need them to do all this work just so the cables look nicer.

ride it until it irritates you enough to learn to do it yourself. practice never hurt anyone.

+1. And it will irritate you in fairly short order, trust me. You probably can't stop thinking about it, even now. Good luck getting to sleep.

Tomorrow you will wake up feeling all edgy and out of sorts, but you won't be able to put your finger on why. Then you will.

Go ahead - change it. It looks horrible, and you know it. People will snicker as you ride by. Most of us are snickering right now. I'll bet derisive PM's are flying back and forth this very minute.

Change it - change it now.















:D

Make sure you don't mess up your cable ends, but if they're too long, at least you can cut off any frays, etc.

Bossman, you very bad man, very bad.

Your bike is ugly


j/k

git your butt out there and change your cables.

If it works, leave it as is until you just can't abide it being that way.

As for Record Deltas, I've had no issues with working on mine, but then I've had plenty of practice with them. You'll need a 3.5mm allen wrench to work on them, so plan accordingly.

Deltas?
There are good instructions on adjusting deltas here:
http://www.campyonly.com/phpBB2/view...8e2bdb908b090e
Its already irritating you enough that you're posting here, so might as well go for it.
If you're cutting cable housing I recommend a Dremmel with cut off wheel, it gives a nice clean cut with no burrs to catch the cable.

go for it.

Marty

All of you are very bad people with evil intentions. I don't think I want to be friends with the C&V folks anymore...

In actuality, most of you read my mind:) Yes, though minor this is irritating me enough that I need to change it. I do like doing my own work so I'm going to give it a shot. I don't have a 3.5 mm allen wrench so I'm going to start with the shifter housing first.

1) I have very, very little cable to work with on both the front and rear. If it frays I'm going to need new cables. Any tricks on keeping it from fraying? I guess I'll need to remove the crimp, right? I'll do this carefully.

2) I have never worked on Campagnolo shifters. I think I'll need to undue the bolt holding the shifter cable to the derailleur, take off the crimp, and pull the cable out of the housing far enough so that I can cut some off. I guess I'll need to go into the levers to pull the cable out, correct? I pulled the hoods back and didn't see yet where the head of the cable is. I'll keep looking.

3) I have Park Tool housing cutters. Are these just as good as a Dremel or should I find one to use? I've also read that some people use spare cable, insert this into the housing and then cut, which helps to keep the housing from pinching.

4) If I am able to shorter the shifter cable housings I'll try the brake housing next.

Thanks for the badgering, advice, and thanks Marty for the link. I have my fingers crossed hoping I won't fray my cables right off.

the park tool should be fine. just be aware of any burrs that might hang up the cable.
And remember we all started out this way, not really knowing what we're doing.
There are a lot of folks here (evil though we may be) who are quite willing to assist,
share knowledge etc.
3.5mm allen wrenches can be difficult to find. Ebay is your friend.

Marty

A Dremel is the best way to go. I keep a small brad in my tool box to open the cable if the lining melts a bit.

cables
 

Replacing cables is a good job to start with. You will probably mess up a few cables while you are learning. Go to Price Point or Bike Tools etc and order a few of each, brake and gear. Get the stainless pre-stretched or die-drawn type. Maybe $3.00 each and nicer than what the LBS carries. Some ferrules and end tips are good to have and maybe some little o-rings for the rear brake cable. Follow Park Tool instruction step by step for adjusting your gears.

Ahh, Great tip! Thanks for posting that I've never heard that before. Makes sense though