Author Topic: Brompton outer cable lengths  (Read 47499 times)

rogerzilla

  • When n+1 gets out of hand
Brompton outer cable lengths
« on: 29 August, 2009, 11:19:18 am »
Add to this if you know any others: this information is stupidly hard to find, and it saves buying expensive pre-cut Brompton cable sets.

The exact measurements are on the instructions that come with each cable, or you could measure one that is definitely known to be correct.

M-type, SWB rear brake cable: 1303mm
M-type, SWB rear hub gear cable: 1288mm

The LWB M-type rear cables are approximately 8mm longer (although the wheelbase is more like an inch longer).


Hard work sometimes pays off in the end, but laziness ALWAYS pays off NOW.

citoyen

  • Occasionally rides a bike
Re: Brompton outer cable lengths
« Reply #1 on: 06 October, 2009, 10:07:42 am »
Don't suppose you know the correct length for a front brake cable for an M-type? That's the one I need to know.

d.
"The future's all yours, you lousy bicycles."

rogerzilla

  • When n+1 gets out of hand
Re: Brompton outer cable lengths
« Reply #2 on: 07 October, 2009, 09:20:53 pm »
Same for SWB and LWB.  Comes in two separate lengths with the cable gatherer sandwiched in between.  But I don't know the actual lengths - I could try and measure, since it's slightly less critical than the rear cables (these don't sit neatly alongside each other, or they foul the chain, if they're not exactly right).
Hard work sometimes pays off in the end, but laziness ALWAYS pays off NOW.

citoyen

  • Occasionally rides a bike
Re: Brompton outer cable lengths
« Reply #3 on: 07 October, 2009, 11:14:49 pm »
Only asking out of curiosity, really. Like you say, precise length for front is less critical than for the rear, though I know my front cable is too long - needs at least a couple of inches cutting off.

d.
"The future's all yours, you lousy bicycles."

Charlotte

  • Dissolute libertine
  • Here's to ol' D.H. Lawrence...
    • charlottebarnes.co.uk
Re: Brompton outer cable lengths
« Reply #4 on: 09 June, 2010, 07:55:05 am »
So from this, I take it that I can use the reel of M-Part cable outer I've just sprung for, along with similar cheap generic cables?  That would be a bonus; although the cables are a bit rough, I wasn't going to do them before the BWC.  Now I might...
Commercial, Editorial and PR Photographer - www.charlottebarnes.co.uk

rogerzilla

  • When n+1 gets out of hand
Re: Brompton outer cable lengths
« Reply #5 on: 09 June, 2010, 07:58:12 pm »
Yes, but measure the old outers to the millimetre.  Also, if you move the shifter or the brake levers, it messes up the neat cabling.
Hard work sometimes pays off in the end, but laziness ALWAYS pays off NOW.

iakobski

Re: Brompton outer cable lengths
« Reply #6 on: 19 June, 2010, 04:22:15 pm »
QGCABDR-S

LWB, S-Type, Derailleur cable, Brompton trigger/bell

Outer: 1145 mm
Inner: 1269 mm

Re: Brompton outer cable lengths
« Reply #7 on: 08 April, 2011, 12:03:30 pm »
QGCABDR-S

LWB, S-Type, Derailleur cable, Brompton trigger/bell

Outer: 1145 mm
Inner: 1269 mm

Interesting. Mine is also an S-Type: 3 speed: LWB: but my Housing (125cm) and inner cable is much longer. The stats you posted is what I found they sold at the local store. Though it seem to short for me.

I doubt there any difference from the the brompton shift housing to others( long strands of wire which run parralell to the shift housing): since their made from SRAM. I'm contemplating to cut my own. After all the only differences are:


    YouTube
        - How to Lubricate Brake and Shift Cables
 


Or am I missing something?

iakobski

Re: Brompton outer cable lengths
« Reply #8 on: 09 April, 2011, 09:52:49 am »
Is yours 3-speed or 6 speed?

Re: Brompton outer cable lengths
« Reply #9 on: 09 April, 2011, 09:07:26 pm »
3 speed. It was a bespoke Brompton - made to order. I've upgraded the Jagwire to Shimano(shift cable) and waiting for the inner wire(brompton) to be ordered.

Re: Brompton outer cable lengths
« Reply #10 on: 13 April, 2011, 10:55:07 pm »
2009 LWB.

The inner wire for the 3-speed cable (on an S type bike) is 1411mm long and the outer cable is 1250mm long.

Re: Brompton outer cable lengths
« Reply #11 on: 09 April, 2012, 02:48:56 pm »
QBRCABRA-S

Rear brake cable, brompton lever, LWB, S-Type

Outer = 1230 mm
Inner = 1447mm
Quote from: tiermat
that's not science, it's semantics.

LittleWheelsandBig

  • Whimsy Rider
Re: Brompton outer cable lengths
« Reply #12 on: 11 December, 2016, 03:06:46 pm »
QGCABDR-M

Derailleur cable, M-bars, LWB.

Outer = 1187mm
Inner = 1309mm
Wheel meet again, don't know where, don't know when...

LittleWheelsandBig

  • Whimsy Rider
Re: Brompton outer cable lengths
« Reply #13 on: 11 December, 2016, 03:09:59 pm »
QBRCABRA-M/P

Rear brake cable, inclined plastic brake levers, M-bars or P-bars, LWB.

Outer = 1319mm
Inner = 1447mm
Wheel meet again, don't know where, don't know when...

LittleWheelsandBig

  • Whimsy Rider
Re: Brompton outer cable lengths
« Reply #14 on: 11 December, 2016, 03:13:17 pm »
QBRCABFA-M/P

Front brake cable, inclined plastic brake levers, M-bars or P-bars, LWB

Outers = 389mm and 485mm
Inner = 1000mm
Wheel meet again, don't know where, don't know when...

LittleWheelsandBig

  • Whimsy Rider
Re: Brompton outer cable lengths
« Reply #15 on: 11 December, 2016, 03:15:57 pm »
QBRCABFXA-S

Front brake cable for LH front lever, inclined plastic brake levers, S-bars, LWB

Outers = 303mm and 473mm
Inner = 979mm
Wheel meet again, don't know where, don't know when...

LittleWheelsandBig

  • Whimsy Rider
Re: Brompton outer cable lengths
« Reply #16 on: 11 December, 2016, 03:18:30 pm »
QGCAB3A-M(3)

Hub gear cable, M-bars, LWB

Outer = 1302mm
Inner = 1463mm
Wheel meet again, don't know where, don't know when...

LittleWheelsandBig

  • Whimsy Rider
Re: Brompton outer cable lengths
« Reply #17 on: 11 December, 2016, 04:34:58 pm »
QBRCABRXA-S

Rear brake cable for RH rear lever, inclined plastic brake levers, S-bars, LWB

Outer = 1255mm
Inner = 1467mm
Wheel meet again, don't know where, don't know when...

LittleWheelsandBig

  • Whimsy Rider
Re: Brompton outer cable lengths
« Reply #18 on: 11 December, 2016, 04:38:43 pm »
QBRCABFA-M(3)

Front brake cable, 10 degree brake lever, M-bars, LWB

Outers = 389mm and 485mm
Inner = 1050mm
Wheel meet again, don't know where, don't know when...

LittleWheelsandBig

  • Whimsy Rider
Re: Brompton outer cable lengths
« Reply #19 on: 11 December, 2016, 04:42:13 pm »
QBRCABFA-S

Front brake cable for inclined levers, S-bars, LWB

Outers = 332mm and 455mm
Inner = 1050mm
Wheel meet again, don't know where, don't know when...

Re: Brompton outer cable lengths
« Reply #20 on: 20 January, 2020, 01:42:37 pm »
Does anyone know how to gauge this on a non-standard machine? I've got a P, but I have swapped the bars for Joseph Kuosac mid-riser ones, and also swapped to my usual left-hand to front cabling. The original cables are due for replacement and, if anything, I'd say a fraction short. But are there any non-obvious points that determine length? Otherwise I'll buy some generic Jagwire ones and try making them a fraction longer where needed.

It's the references above to cutting to the mm that make me ask!

Kim

  • Timelord
    • Fediverse
Re: Brompton outer cable lengths
« Reply #21 on: 20 January, 2020, 06:01:33 pm »
I've got non-standard bars on mine (S-type with an extender that puts them about halfway to M-height).  I've also got a lifetime's supply of brake outer (because USS recumbents), so I just trial-and-errored it until I found a length that seemed to make the cables cross the main tube of the frame at about the same place, and not cause any problems with folding and steering travel (take photos to compare).  I ended up with a length of cable that was too short to use on the Brompton, but I cut that up to use on a DF bike eventually.

Re: Brompton outer cable lengths
« Reply #22 on: 11 August, 2020, 12:44:27 pm »
just bought a used Brompton, a 2006 Model

the bars are S bars which are shorter than the standard length

I'm having a problem with the front brake cable rubbing on the wheel especially on a RHS turn

The Bike was fitted with the usual Brompton silver mudguards - no problem with "rubbing" when they are fitted but I've taken them off

will lengthening the cable sure this?

Re: Brompton outer cable lengths
« Reply #23 on: 11 August, 2020, 01:19:38 pm »
Bromptons without mudguards come with one of these to stop the cable rubbing on the tyre:

https://brilliantbikes.co.uk/brompton-folding-detail/835-brompton-cable-fender-disc-for-bikes-without-mudguards.html

You'll see an eyelet for it on the back of the left fork.

Re: Brompton outer cable lengths
« Reply #24 on: 11 August, 2020, 01:42:00 pm »
Bromptons without mudguards come with one of these to stop the cable rubbing on the tyre:

https://brilliantbikes.co.uk/brompton-folding-detail/835-brompton-cable-fender-disc-for-bikes-without-mudguards.html

You'll see an eyelet for it on the back of the left fork.

Thanks - much appreciated