I’m converting cantilever to V-brake on this build. The frame has this braze on for the brake cable, but it ends in an awkward angle making it difficult to run cable housing. Is it my best option to run without housing, like in the last pic?
What other options do I have?
Thanks!
by wasabi_rccn
5 Comments
Oof that bend is rough for V Brakes. I see two options:
1. Run full cable housing along the top tube. May be a bit difficult to get it looking elegant but is certainly simple.
2. Get a couple [brake cable housing stops](https://www.rivbike.com/products/clamp-on-cable-stops) and mount them along the top tube. You will have to precisely measure the diameter of the top tube to find out what size you need
How much work do you want to put in?
Fastest solution: run housing all the way from the brake to the lever and just zip tie it to the frame (skip the integrated routing entirely).
Mid effort solution: It wouldn’t be a huge amount of work to grab a dremel and cut/grind off that rigid cable routing down to ~1/2” or less so that it’s a just a short stop in line with the top tube, then just use normal cable housing down to the brake. Use some black nail polish to touch up the frame. You would need to figure out a a way to secure the housing without ruining it, which would probably look like finding some housing stop that would fit that piece and hold the housing straight and secure, or you could try a tube expander.
They make 135 degree noodles for those brakes. That might give you a better angle to the frame braze on point, and then run a short piece of housing like in your first couple of pics. You have to have housing, as it gives the cable something to work against to actuate the brake. Frankly, though, I’d run a full length housing like others have suggested. It’ll work better than trying to bodge something around that existing brake cable guide.
Whatever you do, make sure it isn’t this: https://www.reddit.com/r/xbiking/s/tdsk6Ct3oT
As others have said though, either full length the housing, or run clamp on cable stops like this: https://problemsolversbike.com/products/cable-backstop
I chose the full length housing option. You can use zip ties or if you want it to look better, metal cable clips or the really nice aluminum hinged clamps.