5 to 3mm step-down cable housing end cap?

If I understand you correctly, then what you need is a little step-down
cap that a number of bikes use--certainly, 10-year-old (and maybe
newer) Bianchi road bikes use this, as well as the older (mid-80s) Trek
bikes that route the shift cable through the chainstay. I think I have
one or two of these in my junk box, should you need it.

Brian Plaugher said:

I wanted the replace the last little loop of cable housing at my
rear derailer with 5mm housing. Campy RD, so I found a 5-4.5 housing
end cap for that. The other end of the loop, though, on this mid-70's
Ron Cooper Frame has quite a small hole to go into.

I think you have the old style Campagnolo braze-on cable stop on your
chainstay. I have the same. I seem to recall that when I bought a
Dura-Ace STI brifter set, a suitable adapter was included. But that was
for 4mm housing.

In any case, a bike shop that's been around for a long time will
probably have what you need. Try giving A. Muzi of Yellow Jersey
Bicycles a call:
http://www.yellowjersey.org/

Otherwise, use 4mm housing for that short run.

Art Harris

I have a similar problem with a Raleigh Pro from 1971. Currently, and
end cap sits against the stop. The cable loop has a zip tie holding it
down. It's ugly, but it's been shifting fine for 5 years now.

Quoted message said:

Well, I wanted the replace the last little loop of cable housing at my
rear derailer with 5mm housing. Campy RD, so I found a 5-4.5 housing
end cap for that. The other end of the loop, though, on this mid-70's
Ron Cooper Frame has quite a small hole to go into. I have been to
FIVE bike shops getting various candidates and suggestions. Today's
straw-that-broke-the-camel's-back was a cap that fits into the frame (I
assume the hole is 3mm), but the wider part is 4mm! One shop suggested
grinding down the too-fat 4mm part, but that simply messed up the cap.
Does a 5 to 3 step down housing exist? Any other suggestions? I am
afraid I tossed the old 4mm housing, but I am tempted to scour the
garbage to find and re-use it.
Any help appreciated,
Brian Plaugher
Beautiful Guerneville, California

richard said:

I have a similar problem with a Raleigh Pro from 1971. Currently, and
end cap sits against the stop. The cable loop has a zip tie holding it
down. It's ugly, but it's been shifting fine for 5 years now.

Brian Plaugher

Quoted message said:

Beautiful Guerneville, California

You guys just need the infamous ferrule with [censored]. And bike shop in
business more than 10 years will have some. And Brian, email me and
I'll get you one.
Phil Brown

Well, there seems to be a variety of [censored] sizes...

Next time I change my cables, I'll go a-hunting

philcycles said:

richard said:

I have a similar problem with a Raleigh Pro from 1971. Currently, and
end cap sits against the stop. The cable loop has a zip tie holding it
down. It's ugly, but it's been shifting fine for 5 years now.

Brian Plaugher

Quoted message said:

Beautiful Guerneville, California

You guys just need the infamous ferrule with [censored]. And bike shop in
business more than 10 years will have some. And Brian, email me and
I'll get you one.
Phil Brown

richard said:

Well, there seems to be a variety of [censored] sizes...

Next time I change my cables, I'll go a-hunting

philcycles said:

richard said:

I have a similar problem with a Raleigh Pro from 1971. Currently, and
end cap sits against the stop. The cable loop has a zip tie holding it
down. It's ugly, but it's been shifting fine for 5 years now.

Brian Plaugher

>Beautiful Guerneville, California
>

You guys just need the infamous ferrule with [censored]. And bike shop in
business more than 10 years will have some. And Brian, email me and
I'll get you one.
Phil Brown

W/O going to BideToolsEtc. I can't be sure that they offer such an
item, but I think I've made such a connection. If I have, I did it w/ a
ferrule that I got from BTE. They carry a dazzling array of odd
ferrules, most of which are Jagwire, but they also have other brands.
Velencia Cyclery, on Valencia Bl. in the City Mission Dist. also
carries an amazing assortment of odd parts. If you feel like a 3 hr
round trip. I don't know if they are open on Sundays, but today is
still young.
I also may have what you are looking for. I'm in Santa Rosa. I'll be
home by Sunday.

Good luck, John

Art Harris said:

Brian Plaugher said:

I wanted the replace the last little loop of cable housing at my
rear derailer with 5mm housing. Campy RD, so I found a 5-4.5 housing
end cap for that. The other end of the loop, though, on this mid-70's
Ron Cooper Frame has quite a small hole to go into.

I think you have the old style Campagnolo braze-on cable stop on your
chainstay. I have the same. I seem to recall that when I bought a
Dura-Ace STI brifter set, a suitable adapter was included. But that was
for 4mm housing.

There are still manufacturers using that "donut-style" cable stop
(myself included) because IMHO they work better. They allow the rear
cable to pivot at the front as the position of the rear derailleur
changes, reducing cable friction.

It shouldn't be difficult to find the proper ferrule. Any shop that
ever builds up Campy bikes will have received one of these ferrules
with every pair of Ergo shifters - and since most bikes DON'T use
them, normally have a pile of the things laying around somewhere.

Mark Hickey
Habanero Cycles
http://www.habcycles.com
Home of the $795 ti frame

Quoted message said:

Well, I wanted the replace the last little loop of cable housing at my
rear derailer with 5mm housing. Campy RD, so I found a 5-4.5 housing
end cap for that. The other end of the loop, though, on this mid-70's
Ron Cooper Frame has quite a small hole to go into. I have been to
FIVE bike shops getting various candidates and suggestions. Today's
straw-that-broke-the-camel's-back was a cap that fits into the frame (I
assume the hole is 3mm), but the wider part is 4mm! One shop suggested
grinding down the too-fat 4mm part, but that simply messed up the cap.
Does a 5 to 3 step down housing exist? Any other suggestions? I am
afraid I tossed the old 4mm housing, but I am tempted to scour the
garbage to find and re-use it.

Quoted message said:

Even my (usually hopeless for parts) boutique-style LBS gave me a few of
those for free when I needed them to get the housing into a weird brake
lever. Try yours - you may be pleasantly surprised.