Switching cable

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10-07-2007, 12:08 PM
elk

Switching cable

I am currently convinced that having my front brake at my right hand is a very good idea....and its been so long since I rode that my synapses are still flexible:p
IOW...can mold my braking instinct.

But I do want my shifter back under my right hand, and it is currently on the left. I have: internal/hub gears ? My shifter is one unit w/the brake.

They are Shimano BR421 V brakes & the shifter is a Shimano Nexus Trigger.

I was thinking that **all** I need to do is unhook the cables, switch the levers/shifter, bring the shifter cable to the right and rehook...So the front right brake would be part of the shift unit.

Seems like the kind of thing, that if feasible--wouldn't take very long...could maybe do it myself....IF IF IF I had some clear diagrams. Maybe?
10-07-2007, 12:30 PM
boy in a kilt

Not sure why they switched the shifter over too. Maybe he thought you were left handed? Not sure why a bike shop would do this without asking but that's a discussion for another thread.

Brake levers don't care whether they are connected to the front or rear brakes as long as they both work the same. V-brakes do so you are in luck.

You'll need to put your levers back the way they were (involves taking the levers and grips off again). Unless your shifter cable has some weird routing going on, you shouldn't need to touch that.

You will, however, need to remove your brake cables so you can switch them out. Shouldn't need to cut them, just pull them out, switch sides and put them back in. Might need to play with the tension a little but that's it.

Here is the link on how to do that.
10-07-2007, 01:02 PM
elk

Quote:

Originally Posted by boy in a kilt

Not sure why they switched the shifter over too. Maybe he thought you were left handed? Not sure why a bike shop would do this without asking but that's a discussion for another thread.

Yes..we already addresed that on Friday and that guy is toast in my address book...;-) I wouldn't LET him fix it....

Brake levers don't care whether they are connected to the front or rear brakes as long as they both work the same. V-brakes do so you are in luck.

You'll need to put your levers back the way they were (involves taking the levers and grips off again). Unless your shifter cable has some weird routing going on, you shouldn't need to touch that.

No weird routing a'tall. The first time I tried this, I couldn't get the shift/brake unit to slide over the bar end (clearly it fits though)...ANy tips? I don''t want to force it......grease?

You will, however, need to remove your brake cables so you can switch them out. Shouldn't need to cut them, just pull them out, switch sides and put them back in. Might need to play with the tension a little but that's it.

Here is the link on how to do that.

thank you BIAK...That link makes things look almost TOO easy....I did order the Zinn book (the Road Bike)
and look forward to learning more.

elk:)
10-07-2007, 01:41 PM
boy in a kilt

Umm. I'm not sure why. It should slide right on like it was designed to go there.

Is the cable too short?
10-07-2007, 01:50 PM
elk

Quote:

Originally Posted by boy in a kilt

Umm. I'm not sure why. It should slide right on like it was designed to go there.

Is the cable too short?

nope..it just kept getting stuck just past the brake lever on the edge...maybe it was the plug in the bar end ...
10-07-2007, 02:06 PM
boy in a kilt

sounds like you've solved your own problem.
10-07-2007, 02:11 PM
elk

Quote:

Originally Posted by boy in a kilt

sounds like you've solved your own problem.

NB: your signature
10-07-2007, 04:04 PM
elk

2 Attachment(s)

ta da!
I did it....DH came in to help...he hasn't changed a cable for 20 years...

:D :D :D :D

I think my cables might be a little short....according to the Park website...they don't come into the lever or the brake at a straight angel...but a curve...

Here...let's see if photobooth will help....
yes...although the angle isn't helpful...they are long enough to turn the wheel...
10-07-2007, 04:18 PM
boy in a kilt

Good job. I knew you would work it out.

It's not your cables that are short, it's your housings. Looks like they could stand another inch or so. But, as long as everything works right, let it be.

For future reference, cables work better when they make long, smooth curves and come into things with as little angle as possible.
10-07-2007, 04:28 PM
elk

Quote:

Originally Posted by boy in a kilt

It's not your cables that are short, it's your housings. Looks like they could stand another inch or so. But, as long as everything works right, let it be.

For future reference, cables work better when they make long, smooth curves and come into things with as little angle as possible.

:confused: aren't the cables inside the housing?
10-07-2007, 04:46 PM
boy in a kilt

Yes they are. But, you can buy housing and cables separately.

You might be able to fix the angle a little bit by tightening down the barrel adjuster on your brake lever and taking the slack out at the brakes.

But, it would be much more effective to get a longer housing (and possibly longer cables, looks like you trimmed your cable off about right).

If you didn't do anything to your housings, I'm guessing dude at the shop cut them too short.
10-07-2007, 05:17 PM
elk

yes...I think dude at the shop...who I wanted to run new cable for me...just switched my componants on the new bars....which I could've, (wait, I did do that and the cable was too short....which is why I took it to the shop grrr)

I'll have someone just look at it.

ty
10-07-2007, 08:10 PM
boy in a kilt

Why give up ground now? You've gotten this far and now your brake cables know who's the mom.

If you want to fix it, go down and buy some cable housing, brake cables ferrules (the little metal things at the ends of your cables) and a cable cutter (about $30-$40 but worth the investment). The rest of your cables look fine. Make sure you get brake cable housing. Brake and derailluer cables aren't the same thickness.

And please tell me which shop you went it, it's been driving me crazy? It wasn't Sellwood Cycles was it?
10-07-2007, 09:39 PM
elk

Is it the front brake cable I need to fix?

No, not Sellwood....starts with a K and is in Beaverton....
10-07-2007, 11:00 PM
boy in a kilt

Ahh. I think I used to race against them in high school. One of their juniors didn't like the idea that he ended up starting a minute in front of me twice in a time trial series and I caught him both times. Apparently, it was beneath his dignity to have East Side white trash on a scrappy bike beating him. So he used to run smack on me behind my back.

You really don't need to fix anything. If your brakes work and it's not interfering with your steering, don't worry about it.

Your work won't look like a professional mechanic's at this point. The important point is you figured out how to do it.
10-11-2007, 09:20 PM
elk

Wowza...went for a ride today and my front brake is SCREAMING!!!

Good thing I'm taking it in (did I already say to RIver City where I bought it?) on Saturday...and bless 'em... they will give it back to me that evening....

My feel for adjusting the brakes is too unschooled still. I think I will have them switch the brakes back...front on left....

e

BIAK....I take it you like River City?
10-11-2007, 09:53 PM
boy in a kilt

Brake pads probably aren't toed-in right.

Yup. I became aware of River City when I moved back to portland after college. It became my preferred place to shop when I last lived there. In fact, I used to work in an office in the building a block north (other side of the shell station).

I still go down to portland about once a month and I try to hit the place when I'm there.

One of their mechanics built one of the most solid wheels I ever owned. Never thought a 32 spoke wheel could be that strong.
10-11-2007, 11:39 PM
elk

Quote:

Originally Posted by boy in a kilt

Brake pads probably aren't toed-in right.

Yup. I became aware of River City when I moved back to portland after college. It became my preferred place to shop when I last lived there. In fact, I used to work in an office in the building a block north (other side of the shell station).

I still go down to portland about once a month and I try to hit the place when I'm there.

One of their mechanics built one of the most solid wheels I ever owned. Never thought a 32 spoke wheel could be that strong.

Good...Nothing I like better than paying someone to do something and feeling like I got a great deal no matter how much money I spent! Really glad to hear your good experience. When I was there, the pace was really busy and I was really focused on the bicycle.
They sure have alot of bikes...I went in because they carried 2 of the bikes I was looking at: Bianchi Milano, Specialized Globe and I just loved the Globe...
10-15-2007, 12:18 AM
elk

Got my bike back and it's super now....plenty of cable, and switched back to "normal" (right/back left/ front ) smooth and quiet..

got my strada hooked up...
tommorrow my B67 ---replacing the B67s--- is due...I'll take fotos...

I 'm a little bummed though .... now I'm so good to go and we're due for rain all week...

elk