Cycling Equipment · Public discussion

Replacing old brake cables

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Cycling Equipment
Published
25 September 2006
Last activity
25 September 2006
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  1. I was planning to replace the cantilever brake cables on an old Saracen
    mtb as part of a much needed service. I bought a shimano cable set
    before realising that the existing cables are a lot thicker than the
    modern parts. Also, the existing rear brake cable runs with an unbroken
    single cable routed inside the top tube.

    Do I need to use the same guage cables? Also I'm worried that once I
    pull the old rear brake cable outer out of the top tube, I'll never be
    able to get a new one in! (The entry holes in the tube are a snug fit.)

    Thanks for advice!

  2. Quoted message said:

    I was planning to replace the cantilever brake cables on an old Saracen
    mtb as part of a much needed service. I bought a shimano cable set
    before realising that the existing cables are a lot thicker than the
    modern parts. Also, the existing rear brake cable runs with an unbroken
    single cable routed inside the top tube.

    Do I need to use the same guage cables?

    No. Thinner is OK as long as good quality cables are used.

    Quoted message said:

    Also I'm worried that once I
    pull the old rear brake cable outer out of the top tube, I'll never be
    able to get a new one in! (The entry holes in the tube are a snug fit.)

    Here's a trick: Pull the old inner wire out of the old housing from
    the lever end, and push the new, thinner cable through the old
    housing. Now pull the old housing out of the frame tube from the
    wheel end, and slide the new housing back up the new inner wire, using
    it as a guide. Once the new housing is threaded through the frame,
    you can remove the inner wire to allow slipping a ferrule over the
    front end if needed. If the new housing seems loose in the holes at
    each end, a layer of electrical tape or dab of silicone sealant or
    other high-viscosity adhesive-sealant will usually keep it from
    slopping around. A cable tie around the housing near where each end
    enters the frame helps to keep it from sliding in and out, but don't
    make them so tight that they distort the housing.

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