deepinahartatx

I was wondering if it is worth it to find new cable housing for a late 70's Campy NR group set. The cables seem in decent shape, but the housing is worn in places.

From my limited searching, it seems kind of expensive for just the housing since I am looking at NOS, assuming I can find them.

Can I just buy new "regular" cables? If so, anyone know what size I need? Even better, feel free to provide a brand and model or link so I can have my LBS order something (I'm sure they can look it up, but I would feel better if I had an idea what things should cost before telling them "yeah, just order it")

Oh, regarding top tube cable mounts, anyone know of a better solution than the metal campy clamps? perhaps rubber/plastic that won't scratch the frame? (I'll keep the original clamps for show, but for day to day I'd rather have something that won't scratch once I finish touching up the top tube :-)

Thanks in advance...

Chombi

Unless you are planning on displaying the bike in a museum, I don't think it's worth trying to find and buy period cable casings which can be crazy expensive. Just go to a good local bike shop and they might have grey colored casings that might be very similar to the originals and will actually work better as the new ones are lined with Teflon or plastic to minimize the need for lubrication. As for Campy cable clamps, I just hit they backsides of the clamp that contact the top tube and grind down and polish up with a dremel, any sharp edges that could scratch the paint. Non-metal clamps just don't look good on a nice bike plus they eventually crack and fall off after some time from UV exposure.

deepinahartatx

Thanks for the real world advice, much appreciated, it's not going to be a museum piece...I'll bring the bike to the LBS and ask them what they have (or what they can order).

The actual clams don't feel sharp on the back or sides, but I do notice some scratching on the top tube and I don't want anymore :-) I don't mind replacing clamps every so often, but if non-metal clams look like crap then I guess I will keep the metal clamps.

Chombi

I restored a 70's era bike not so long ago and it had Campy top tube cable clamps. I noticed when I removed them (I had to replace them as they were already too rusty to re-use) that the previous owner had put some sort of thick clear tape on the underside of the clamps to protect the top tube from scratching. He must have stuck them on the clamps and then trimmed them with an Exacto knife to match the edges of the clamps so one couldn't see the tape when the clamps were mounted. You might add the same to your clamps if you want to minimize scratching as it sure worked on the bike I restored...

zukahn1 

No need top worry on basic cables for a 70's bike. New set of exceptiable cables with housing about $30 for all four cables high grade.

rootboy 

One issue to consider if buying new lined housing is if you still have, and are planning on using, the old brake cables. The old Campy brake cables were 1.8 mm thick and I've found they won't fit in most modern, lined housing. Most guys would replace them with new cables, but I like them so clean them up and keep them.

As for the top tube clips, you may find it a bit too much of a hassle, but you can coat the back side of them with liquid plastic. Like Plastidip, available at most hardware stores. Clear color. Paint it on with a small brush, let it dry thoroughly, and you have an invisible shield between metal clip and paint. Rubber cement works in a pinch but is not as durable and will peel off if you're not careful. I don't use Plastidip on my top tube clips as I've never noticed a scratching problem, but I have used it on other clamp-on bits, like front derailleur, etc.

Again, if you do go that route, let the stuff dry VERY thoroughly before attaching the part to your bike. I wait at least two days.

deepinahartatx

Thanks for the plastidip, looks like amazon has it. Glad I have prime for a few more months so I can order just 1 item :-)

What do you use to clean up the housing? Mine are worn and cracked where the clamps tighten them down, so I think I will need to replace cables since I probably won't be able to find reasonably priced replacement housing..

Since posting this, I looked at veloorange and they have some cables that aren't too bad price wise. Pre sales says they should work, I also like their elk hide handlebar wraps so I may go this route...

https://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...able-kits.html
https://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...cable-kit.html

SJX426 

You might try Yellow Jersey. I purchased NOS housings and cables from them a few years ago. Don't know how much they have left. Worth looking at. https://www.yellowjersey.org/cabl.html

Loose Screws is trying to go out of business and has a sale going on. https://www.loosescrews.com

Pars 

Bicycle Classics has (close to) originals

https://00eda5d.netsolhost.com/brakes.html

Pricey, but if you must...

fietsbob

New redrawn Die slicked cables are smoother than the old Bowden Cables ,
before the smoothing extra step. So the returns springs have to do less work.

JohnDThompson 

+1 this. New die-drawn cables are nicer than the old ones and they fit in modern, lined housing, even if they do lack the <C> stamp the originals had on the cable end.

Grand Bois

I bought some lined brake cable housings in the seventies. They were even thicker than today's lined housings. They made it difficult to get the cable clips on.

JohnDThompson 

"Ultra-glide" maybe? I think they were the first to market lined housings for bicycle applications. I still have a set of those on a bike here.