Fully-housed rear brake cable on a bike not made for it
#1
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Fully-housed rear brake cable on a bike not made for it
I have a Stumpjumper that originally came with caliper brakes. (Picture here.) The mounts for the cable across the upper tube are designed for an open brake cable; it was strung like a guitar string from the two mounts.
I just got Avid BB7 disc brakes, and on the advice of my LBS and a few other riders, I ran the housing for the rear brake fully-closed along the length of the tube. Now, because of that change, the cable needs support along the mid-length of the tube; there's nothing on the frame right now to support it. The LBS mechanic put three zip-ties to hold the cable in place, but that's a bit of an ugly hack to me. It works, but I'd rather have something a bit more 'permanent' looking.
Has anyone else done this before to a bike that wasn't 'baked' for a full cable housing? What did you do? Any other suggestions? My question is really aesthetic; I want a better-looking way to hold the cable on.
I've contemplated getting some handlebar grip tape and wrapping a length of it near the center of the tube. I also thought the right tape might look pretty cool wrapping the entire length of the upper tube, especially if I used one of those interesting double-weave patterns I see on some road bikes, but I don't know where I could get handlebar tape that long.
Any suggestions?
I just got Avid BB7 disc brakes, and on the advice of my LBS and a few other riders, I ran the housing for the rear brake fully-closed along the length of the tube. Now, because of that change, the cable needs support along the mid-length of the tube; there's nothing on the frame right now to support it. The LBS mechanic put three zip-ties to hold the cable in place, but that's a bit of an ugly hack to me. It works, but I'd rather have something a bit more 'permanent' looking.
Has anyone else done this before to a bike that wasn't 'baked' for a full cable housing? What did you do? Any other suggestions? My question is really aesthetic; I want a better-looking way to hold the cable on.
I've contemplated getting some handlebar grip tape and wrapping a length of it near the center of the tube. I also thought the right tape might look pretty cool wrapping the entire length of the upper tube, especially if I used one of those interesting double-weave patterns I see on some road bikes, but I don't know where I could get handlebar tape that long.
Any suggestions?
#3
Throw the stick!!!!
You could also try the stick on version. They don't seem to work all that great though so use at your own risk. They have a tendency to fall off.
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I modified my Rockhopper to use the existing guides on the top tube. Just drilled out the reduced opening of the casting that was used as a "stop" for the original housing/cable. Then drilled a small hole at the bottom edge of the mount, one on each side, just above the top tube. This small hole allows me to use a zip tie to hold the cable in the stock guide.
#5
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I'm using the existing guides, and they're perfectly fine. However, at the middle of the tube, the weight of the cable is too much, and it sags. It needs something to hold it there. Zip ties work, but... I'm picky about looks.
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But the zip ties through the cable guides maintain tension on the cable eliminating the need for any support in the middle of the top tube. And I used the small zip ties so you can barely even notice them with the black housing (it basically just secures the cable within the guide, doesn't wrap around the top tube).
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ACE hardware has some cool velcro tape that is reuseable and cheap. it is soft and won't hurt the bike. you cut it to as long as you need and it sticks to itself. you can overlap it slightly too so that the cable is held against two layers of velcro tape and not actually touching the frame
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Originally Posted by never
I modified my Rockhopper to use the existing guides on the top tube. Just drilled out the reduced opening of the casting that was used as a "stop" for the original housing/cable. Then drilled a small hole at the bottom edge of the mount, one on each side, just above the top tube. This small hole allows me to use a zip tie to hold the cable in the stock guide.
#9
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Originally Posted by LowCel
I just use zip ties on my bikes, works fine. If you want to go the "pretty" route then try these. They are problem solver bolt-on cable guides.
The problem is the Stumpjumper tube isn't straight on the top - it's a bit concave - so the cable is strung out in the open near the middle of the tube, about 1/4" clearance. Without the ability to tension the cable, it'll have a lot of slack to flop around.
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Yeh its a pain trying to tie down those cables. What LowCel posted above would problaby do the job although I wouldn't say they would be as secure as ZipTies, can't you get any that match the colour of your frame ?
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Originally Posted by OneTinSloth
but at the heart of my problem lies the issue of needlessly destroying something
And I'd say full housing looks cleaner for any brake system, and there is less chance for dirt to get in. And the price difference between two short sections of housing versus one long section? Come on!
Last edited by never; 01-05-06 at 10:29 AM.
#12
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Once upon a time, we all used cable clips (back when brazeons were rare). Check https://www.loosescrews.com/index.cgi...d=923501232445 for a bunch of options
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Originally Posted by never
Destroying? How about modifying to work for your given application. Why would someone care about the next potential owner of the bike?
And I'd say full housing looks cleaner for any brake system, and there is less chance for dirt to get in. And the price difference between two short sections of housing versus one long section? Come on!
And I'd say full housing looks cleaner for any brake system, and there is less chance for dirt to get in. And the price difference between two short sections of housing versus one long section? Come on!
that's my problem with it. it didn't work for his application, and now it won't work at all. so yes, destroyed is the right word. my guess is, he didn't check to make sure it would fit before he drilled it out.
#15
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But the zip ties through the cable guides maintain tension on the cable eliminating the need for any support in the middle of the top tube. And I used the small zip ties so you can barely even notice them with the black housing (it basically just secures the cable within the guide, doesn't wrap around the top tube).
If I can't get this cable 'strung' on there well, I"m looking into something else. Maybe getting the correct kinds of cable guides added to the frame... what would that cost? Where would I take the bike? Anyone in San Diego be able to do it?
My alternatives at this point are a) deal, b) handlebar tape and c) more mechanical solutions.
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You could get some of these cablestop to cable guide conversions...
Combined with the stick-ons, you should be able to achieve a pretty clean setup.
Combined with the stick-ons, you should be able to achieve a pretty clean setup.
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