In article
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[email protected]>,
Woland99 <
[email protected]> wrote:
> Howdy - I am working on friends bike - it is an old MTB with center
> pull brakes.
> Old brakes seem serviceable. Should I attempt to put direct pull
> brakes on it?
> What are advantages of such move (if any)? If I understand Sheldon
> correctly
> I would need new set of levers too?
The current brakes can be overhauled to a state of perfection.
New cables and cable housing.
Cut the cable housing square by cutting it with old cable inside.
Disassemble the brakes, clean, lubricate, and reassemble.
I recommend not cleaning with solvent because some solvent
remains and compromises the new lubricant. I clean small parts
with mineral oil and a toothbrush then wipe them clean.
(I particularly like the smell of mineral oil in the morning.)
When reassembling, cut the cable housing to the correct length
and do not kink the housing.
Lubricate the cable before threading it into the housing.
Install ferrules where they are called for
and DO NOT install ferrules where they are not called for:
at the levers and at the brakes. With center pull brakes
the cable stops may or may not take ferrules. Try to fit
a ferrule to the cable stop, and if it does not fit, do
not use it.
New aero levers can be beneficial as well as looking cool.
After fitting the cable runs and before securing the cable
to the brakes, haul the cable with all the force you can
muster, thus seating in the cable run and preventing
"cable stretch."
Kool-stop salmon colored pads.
Your friend will consider you a wizard.
--
Michael Press