Yet Another Cycling Forum
General Category => The Knowledge => Topic started by: Tim Hall on 21 February, 2017, 10:07:54 pm
-
I'm fettling a cheap MTB type thing, including replacing all the cables, inners and outers.
The brake levers have knurled adjusters at the cable exit point, with a recess to take the end of the outer. The plastic ferrules I have are a smidgeon too big for the recess, so they don't fit in. Careful shaving of the outside of the ferrule removes enough plastic so they can be wedged in. However, they don't spin freely, so adjusting the brakes is difficult tending to impossible. The outers I removed had crimped on metal ferrules which fitted nicely.
Do I:
A. Run the brakes without ferrules
B. Shave off a smidge more plastic
C. Drill out the recess a bit, so the plastic ferrule fits
D. Other
?
-
Get the right ferrules ?
-
Hi Tim. Don't give the bike the appearance of an even cheaper bike than it might already be - do the job properly.
E'bay will help you fettle-it and at reasonable cost - who-ever is paying for the ferrules.
-
Hi Tim. Don't give the bike the appearance of an even cheaper bike than it might already be - do the job properly.
E'bay will help you fettle-it and at reasonable cost - who-ever is paying for the ferrules.
<smacks head> Of course, Ebay. I still think of buying bike stuff from, umm, bike shops (or Halfords, which is where the plastic ferrules came from).
-
metal ferrules are the thing here; they are thinner walled and are stronger than plastic ones too. LBS ought to have a pot of them.
cheers
-
I've got a couple of pots of them at home, Tim.
If it can wait I can stick a selection in tomorrow's post - If you like.
-
I've got a couple of pots of them at home, Tim.
If it can wait I can stick a selection in tomorrow's post - If you like.
Jurek, that would be great as I haven't had time to go back to the LBS. Paul Smith says hello from there though.
-
I've got a couple of pots of them at home, Tim.
If it can wait I can stick a selection in tomorrow's post - If you like.
Jurek, that would be great as I haven't had time to go back to the LBS. Paul Smith says hello from there though.
Postal stuffs arranged. Doff my non-existant cap to the inimitable Mr.Smith at your next available opportunity,
JB
-
Many cheap bikes I see don't come with ferrules on the brake lever end.
And speaking of ferrules, I'd avoid the metal sort, as they start rusting within a month or so.
-
the most common type of ferrule for this job is made of brass, nickel plated.
They do not rust.
cheers
-
I can't say I've had one rust, though I've seen BSOs so afflicted.
-
Sound like your best bet is to source some new factory-crimped cables. Although apart from cosmetic purposes, I always understood that you don't need ferrules on the end of brake outers because they're wound spirally and don't compress (and fray) under axial loads the way that gear cables do.
-
Pop down to Wilkinsons and buy some cheap cables with outer space and ferrules already fitted.
Used extensively on many bikes I've used and up to the task you describe.
-
if there is room for ferrules, and/or the barrel adjuster is slotted, you should always fit them.
cheers
-
It's true that brake cable housing is strong enough without a ferrule, but still it seems to make sense to use one for certain mismatches between cable and receptical.
There are cases where a ferrule would jam inconveniently, like in some Ergo levers.