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-   -   Brake Cables Needed (https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/695075-brake-cables-needed.html)

Mike Mills 11-14-10 02:13 AM

Brake Cables Needed
 
I need some replacement brake cables. The levers I have need an unusually large barrel on the end. The "normal" barrel end is too small. The cable is also quite large in diameter but that is not a necessity. The existing cables look almost as if they were intended for a motorcycle, that's how large they are. The levers are Shimano.

Does anyone stock these?

Should I go to a dirt bike shop (off-roading parts place)?

YoKev 11-14-10 06:19 AM

Good morning. Are you trying to cable Shimano road levers or mtn levers?

Post up a picture of the end that won't work and get pointed in the right direction, I'm sure of it :)

Bianchigirll 11-14-10 07:23 AM

pics would help alot. back in the early '90s there was some really fat MTB brake cablesbut that kinda died out

Mike Mills 11-14-10 12:04 PM

Yes, to you both.

The levers are Shimano mountain bike levers. They look like a dirt bike lever. The LBS owner said they are no longer available. I thought there might be a supply available online.

Pics are tough because the existing cables are installed on the bike. They use a barrel end where the cable enters the barrel on the round side not the flat end of the barrel. As I mentioned, the barrel itself is larger in diameter and longer than the typical brake cable barrel. It also has a very thick cable.

Perhaps, I should just buy new levers. It's just that these are really very nice, albeit very mountain/dirt bike-ish. What do you think?

Grand Bois 11-14-10 08:33 PM

I'm familiar with the levers and cables you're talking about. It's oversize stuff that was used on mountain bikes for a short time. I remember reading that you can get the cables from a motorcycle shop. You can also adapt the levers to accept standard cables and housings.

Mike Mills 11-15-10 12:05 AM

Thanks for that. I have an off-road vehicle parts shop/dealership near my office. I can go at lunch tomorrow.

I may just buy new levers, as they include a set of new cables and allow me to use the many cable spares I already have. I'm keeping all the OEM parts for this bike in a box, two more levers in there won't make any difference.


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