adjusting brake cables device

[monster]

i have a poorly designed disc brake caliper that has plastic where you screw clap the brake cable and it slowly slips through. as a consequence i am always re-adjusting my brakes.

is there an adjustable cable spacing device similar to the ones on the levers, but which you could put in the brake line? something that would give more range of adjust ability than just the lever spacers alone? it would be great if there was because the range of movement they give you in most brakes is rally small and you can spend ages fine tuning the brakes.

 

[Link]

I'm having trouble picturing this. I've got those screw things on the brakes, but by their design it's impossible for the brake cable itself to "slip through".

Pic? :?

 

[monster]

sorry it was a bit vague. the cable slips through the part on the brake itself where the cable is bolted down (the bit that does the braking, not the lever). the screw things on the brake levers are there to adjust for this but they don't have enough range so fine tuning is difficult.

 

[Link]

Oh, I think I get it. Sounds like you need to tighten it down.

If that doesn't work, try crimping and soldering a butt splice near the end of the cable (where it's touching the clamp) to keep it from slipping through.

 

[Drunkskunk]

My old Di-comp brakes had that kind of adjustment on the brake side as well as the handle side. I think the Avid disc brakes I used came with something similar, but I didn't use it.

Usualy, if your brakes need adjustment more than once in 100 miles or so, it means the cable is stretching, and that means you need a new cable.

 

[Link]

Good point. Have you checked to see if it's really slipping or just stretching?

 

[monster]

i don't think brake cables can stretch. surely they are designed not to do that.

 

[Sturdly]

Rest assured that the inner cables can and do stretch.

The outers contract if spiral wound, which is why the expensive disc compatible cable housings are constructed so that the wires run parallel to the inner cable. Result being no "shrinkage " under load.

 

[monster]

oh i found this. looks like its meant for gear cables tho?


http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product-...justers-with-grease-ports--per-pair-13985.htm

 

[Sturdly]

There should be an outer cable housing adjuster on your brake levers. Easily accessible and adjusted with your fingers, even while riding.

 

[Ypedal]

Thread that sucker all the way in.. then loosen the nut at the brake end.. pull the cable a 1/4 inch.. tighten nut.. then you get full adjustable over again on the brake lever end with the thready thing !! :wink:

And.. yes.. brake cables will and do strech.

 

[docnjoj]

Yup! They sure do stretch! Be careful of those parallel wire cable housings! Use only the best quality! I had one split longitudinally while riding! Luckily, I could use my other front disc brake to stop! Trikes do have some advantages.
otherDoc

 

[deardancer3]

Sometimes it is "cable stretch" other times it is "housing compression", or both, as I am told by a top notch wrench.

On every complaint about brakes not holding adjustments, he said he ALWAYS replaced cable, housing and pads (non disk) with his top notch stuff.. the parts cost versus analysis time and possible returns just was not worth it to him.

Another thing he told me was to be sure and trim the housing cut angle on all cables AFTER installation- cables that are not perpendiular to the housing stop add to "mushiness" of brakes, and the cut is hidden so you cant see it. Bad for shifters too.

I think I saw this info and other tips over at the Late Great Sheldon Brown site.


d