Brake cable frayed and won't go in the nut

[rliu]

Had this problem with the brake cables that came with the bike after I needed to change the wheel around to replace an inner tube, got new cables and they got frayed again, is this just because you can basically only tighten brake cables once before it becomes useless?

 

[Smokin Joe]

That is sometimes the case, the clamping force can make the cable fray.

Why did you need to undo the cable to remove the wheel? There is generally a quick release on either the caliper or the lever that allow the caliper to open and let the tyre clear the blocks.

 

[Tomba]

Could be tightening the bolt too hard?

 

[derrick]

How does clamping make the cable fray, unless you are clamping to near the end of the cable, the clamping may flatten the cable then it is sometimes hard to get in or out of the outer cable, i have never frayed a cable just by clamping it.

 

[rliu]

Seems the pinch bolt has gone wonky and that is why it won't hold the brake cable properly, this all stems from one incident where I crashed into a curb at high speed, puncturing my front wheel tyre and seemingly doing damage to the brake mechanism as well

 

[rliu]

Actually I was talking rubbish with my last post but I just can't get the cable to sit in the bolt at all, every time I tighten it it just pops out and I don't know where the problem lies. The new cables sat in the bolt the first time but the cables were loose at the lever.

 

[derrick]

What brakes are you using,

 

[rliu]

V brakes with flat Tektro levers

 

[summerdays]

Photo of the problem might help?

When you say they were loose at the lever - did you make sure the outer cable was seated properly in the housing (might not be it's proper name) at the handlebar before trying to sort it out at the other end?

 

[fossyant]

You got the washer in the right place under the bolt ?

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

That is sometimes the case, the clamping force can make the cable fray.

Why did you need to undo the cable to remove the wheel? There is generally a quick release on either the caliper or the lever that allow the caliper to open and let the tyre clear the blocks.

[QUOTE 1752698, member: 45"]Often with fat tyres there isn't enough leeway with the quick release to allow the tyre through the brake. Not if you like your brakes set as close as possible to the rim anyway.[/quote]
No QR on my vintage steel: I let the tyres down.

Seems obvious: a roadside puncture must be an awful faff if you're having to reset the brakes each time.

Even if you do prefer to let the brakes out each time, then surely you would leave the cable long enough so that you don't have to re-thread it each time?

 

[Moodyman]

Frayed cables are usually the result of overtightening the bolt. Also, helps if you've got a cable-end to avoid fraying

 

[TheSandwichMonster]

Top tip: A smear of superglue on the end of the cable, prior to crimping on the cable-end cap, helps prevent this (sometimes)

 

[tyred]

Superglue is a good idea actually but if it's a non-stainless steel cable, I apply a little solder at the end of the cable. Definitely won't fray then.

 

[derrick]

[QUOTE 1752698, member: 45"]Often with fat tyres there isn't enough leeway with the quick release to allow the tyre through the brake. Not if you like your brakes set as close as possible to the rim anyway.[/quote]
With v brakes you just unclip the noodle.