Outer brake cables

[petmcgratt]

does anyone know if it is possible to get slimmer outer brake cables.

I use 5mm outbrake brake cable on my specialized and vitus which are probably the most common modern widht of outer brake cable. However my vintage Dawes Galaxy road bike has two steel guide holes along the top tube where the oute cable fits but unfortunately the outer brake cable is too big to fi even without the plastic cable ends off it. Looks as though i need something along the lines of 3-4mm.

any tips would be greatly appreciated.

peter

 

[screenman]

You might find the the outer is not supposed to go through the tube but stop before and after. Failing that this company may be of some help.

www.theoldbicycleshowroom.co.uk

 

[summerdays]

I've got Jagwire cabling on my bike ... I think its 4mm but I wouldn't guarantee it.

 

[mickle]

What you need old chap is a pair of what we used to refer to as step down ferrules.

Good luck finding some though, they're rare as hens teeth in this day and age.

 

[mickle]

 

[petmcgratt]

Guys thanks for the replies again.

I have been looking about and had come across brake cable clips but i thought there must be some other way. It seems impossible to get a thinner outer cable than the common 5mm one and it would have to be really thin if you still have to put a cable end over it to fit it into the lug.

Mickle, thanks for that info.

I will start looking but if anyone knows where you might be able to get step down ferrules please let me know.

thanks again

 

[mickle]

Google is your friend!

 

[petmcgratt]

Have only been able to source them in the USA so far but I think I will go to the older local bike shops in northern ireland.

 

[mickle]

jenson usa are great, although $3.60 each seems a bit steep.

 

[screenman]

Try the link I gave earlier.

 

[MartinC]

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/cables-spares-dept467_pg1/#page=4

 

[petmcgratt]

Guys you aren't going to believe this. I had looked at all the links you had sent and had only seen the step down ferrule in the USA but wasn't prepared to pay the expensive P&P.

However during my lunch hour today I went for a walk and decided to call into a car accessory place that i have used for years to but car lamp bulbs etc and i knew they also sold bikes and inner tubes etc so i thought i had nothing to loose.

went into shop and started rummaging about and came across Emmelle universal brake cables!! These came with the stop cap that fits into the old weinnmann brake levers, the white outer calbe and the pear nipple end. I could not believe my luck and only for £1.95.

I can now indert the outer cable into the lug hole on the top tube and the stop cap fits perfectly into the brake lever. result.

I explained to the guy in the shop how difficuly it had been to find this brake cable and he laughed and said he has been trying to sell them since the shop opened in the 1970's.

Thanks again for the help and advice.

peter