Play in front brake cable

[Welsh wheels]

I was doing my routine clean of my bike when I discovered a problem. I dropped the front wheel out in order to clean the forks properly. I had to adjust the brakes after I put the front wheel back on. Unfortunately, despite tightening hard the nut on the front brake cable clamp (don't know the technical term), the cable was moving upwards in the clamp when I pressed the front brake. I did check that the cable was moving in the right groove as well.The cable doesn't appear to be worn neither does the clamp but I guess the way forward would be to replace the back brake anyway? The brake still works to some extent but needless to say I won't be riding it until I sort it out.

 

[lpretro1]

Sounds like you just haven't seated the cable fully in it's slot at the lever end or one of the cable stops on the frame

 

[Welsh wheels]

Sounds like you just haven't seated the cable fully in it's slot at the lever end or one of the cable stops on the frame

I did check this and I think it's right but I will check again.

 

[Ajax Bay]

tightening hard the nut on the front brake cable clamp

Tighten it some more, till the cable doesn't move (in the clamp). It's possible that the cable has flattened so much it'll slip even with the bolt tight as a tight thing, but unlikely. Btw, why would the back brake need replacing?

 

[Welsh wheels]

Tighten it some more, till the cable doesn't move (in the clamp). It's possible that the cable has flattened so much it'll slip even with the bolt tight as a tight thing, but unlikely. Btw, why would the back brake need replacing?

Sorry, meant front brake. Yeah the bolt is very tight and its still slipping.

 

[Ajax Bay]

My strategy would be to make sure that you have the cable running along the correct line in the clamp; and only then fit a new cable and then if the clamp bolt can't secure it properly, replace just the bolt and nut. A visit to your LBS is probably worth it. As well as a brake cable they'll likely have a bolt/nut that fits in their 'may come in useful' box.

 

[Welsh wheels]

My strategy would be to make sure that you have the cable running along the correct line in the clamp; and only then fit a new cable and then if the clamp bolt can't secure it properly, replace just the bolt and nut. A visit to your LBS is probably worth it. As well as a brake cable they'll likely have a bolt/nut that fits in their 'may come in useful' box.

I checked the cable is running right, it definitely is. I will pop down to the local bike shop as you suggested and see if I can wrangle a free clamp. I'll see if that works, if not I'll replace the cable. What would be the technical term for the clamp part that holds the brake cable?

 

[Ian H]

It sounds like something has got warped or bent.

 

[Ajax Bay]

What would be the technical term for the clamp part that holds the brake cable?

Take the brake off the bike and take it with you. Whatever the LBS bloke calls it.