I’ve got a Surly Cross Check that I’ve installed COMPE canti brakes on. The issue is that unfortunately my front cable stop doesnt freely turn with the rest of my stem. The stem is a Velo Orange Cigne stem. I haven’t used canti brakes before and I’m having a heck of a time figuring this one out. Any help would be much appreciated.
Front cable stop not freely moving
byu/branpier inbikewrench
by branpier
4 Comments
I think you need to loosen the lower bolt and tighten the hexnut so the stem clamps up against the hanger. Once you get the clamp up right tighten the lower bolt.
For a threadless steerer/stem system run with cantis brakes cable stops that clamp onto the steerer are the ticket. They’re hard to find in 1″/25.4mm but readily available in 1 1/8″/28.6mm. When the cable stop doesn’t perfectly rotate with the fork it’s definitely not ideal but it’s still rideable. Besides a thick aluminum one is stiffer which improves braking performance.
Is there play in the headset right now? I’m noticing the headset upper is turning with the fork some of the time, but not all of the time. Same thing with the cable hanger. The Cigne stem is kinda tricky because it doesn’t use a top cap. Is it possible the stem is sort of bottoming out on the steer tube before it compresses the spacers? Checking for play in the headset bearings or checking to see if the spacers and hanger move freely (like very freely) by hand) could help figure it out.
I’d ditch the Dorothy basket and you might have better luck?