CABLE HOUSING: Brake for derailleur?

default said:

This might sound like a stupid question, but if you have a knowledgeable answer I would
appreciate it.

Is there any fundamental difference between brake and derailleur cable housing?

Yes. Brake cable housing usually has a spiral wound metal core, whereas gear cabling is made using
axial wires, held together by the outer plastic. There are other variations, but these are the
basic ones.

Quoted message said:

What would be the problem with using "brake" housing for derailleur cable?

It can work, but not as well. The gear cable housing changes length less when bent (e.g. when
you turn the handlebars). If you don't want to risk changing gear when doing a very tight low
speed turn, don't use brake outers for gears. Oh, and don't use gear outers for brakes - it's
not as strong.

--
Jim Price

jimprice.dsl.pipex.comjimprice.dsl.pipex.comOpen ↗

Conscientious objection is hard work in an economic war.

thnx jim -- thats exactly what i wanted to know.

Jim Price said:

default said:

This might sound like a stupid question, but if you have a knowledgeable answer I would
appreciate it.

Is there any fundamental difference between brake and derailleur cable housing?

Yes. Brake cable housing usually has a spiral wound metal core, whereas gear cabling is made using
axial wires, held together by the outer plastic. There are other variations, but these are the
basic ones.

Quoted message said:

What would be the problem with using "brake" housing for derailleur cable?

It can work, but not as well. The gear cable housing changes length less when bent (e.g. when
you turn the handlebars). If you don't want to risk changing gear when doing a very tight low
speed turn, don't use brake outers for gears. Oh, and don't use gear outers for brakes - it's
not as strong.

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

This might sound like a stupid question, but if you have a knowledgeable answer I would appreciate
it. Is there any fundamental difference between brake and derailleur cable housing?

Yes, there is a difference. Once is spiral wound, and the other is edge wound.

Quoted message said:

What would be the problem with using "brake" housing for derailleur cable?

Using brake casing for a derailleur cable is probably not going to be a big deal. Your shifting may
suffer a bit, but it should be ok. Never use derailleur casing for your brakes. The casing cannot
take compression and could fail when you need it most.
-----------------
Alex __O _-\<,_ (_)/ (_)

Actually the standard derailler housing sold is not adequate to handle the compression required for
brakes however there is newer housing available which is designed for either use. Some types of
JagWire housing is available which uses longitudinal wires (used in current derailler housings) with
an external kevlar reinforced housing to give additional strength needed for brakes. This product
used on brakes can decrease the compression of the housing therefore increase the amount of cable
pull (very slightly). We've installed his on our tandem and see some improvement in brake lever
capasity. Charlie Myer Indiana

In article said:

This might sound like a stupid question, but if you have a knowledgeable answer I would
appreciate it.

Is there any fundamental difference between brake and derailleur cable housing?

What would be the problem with using "brake" housing for derailleur cable?

Rear derailleurs used with indexed shifting need a special kind of housing which does not compress
as much. It works a lot better than brake cable housing. A small chunk of brake housing used from
the chainstay to the derailleur won't cause a problem if the cable runs smoothly.

If you use friction style shifting then brake housing will work OK.

--Paul

Quoted message said:

Rear derailleurs used with indexed shifting need a special kind of housing which does not compress
as much. It works a lot better than brake cable housing. A small chunk of brake housing used from
the chainstay to the derailleur won't cause a problem if the cable runs smoothly.

If you use friction style shifting then brake housing will work OK.

--Paul

I was doing this for years. Run SIS housing from the shifters to the frame, then SLR housing for the
loop for the rear derailleur. Did this recently when I replaced cables and housing and just COULD
NOT get the @#$ derailleur to shift. Grumble, grumble. Scratch head. Hmmm, maybe...

Changed to SIS housing for the derailleur loop and everything worked like a swiss watch.

Mike

If it's INDEXED derailer housing, yes. The steel in an indexed derailer cable, instead of being
wound into a tight coil (as in brake cables) is instead arranged in lengthwise strands for more
accurate shifting.

This makes the cable extremely resistant to compression (shortening) while shifting, but very weak
as far as rupturing goes.

_DO_NOT_USE_ indexed derailer cable housing for your brakes! This could result in the cable breaking
out of the housing and leaving you with no brakes, at the worst possible time: When you're braking
hard. I cannot stress this enough. It is is a Very Bad Thing!

May you have the wind at your back. And a really low gear for the hills! Chris

Chris'Z Corner "The Website for the Common Bicyclist": geocities.comczcornerOpen ↗

Sorry to beat this horse........ but the reason I asked originally was because I just bought a full
set of Flak Jacket cables to redo my bike..... and looking at the housing, I could not see a
difference between brake/shifter........

natch, there was no difference. These were new sealed cables, but they are both the "lengthwise"
housings.....

So I put it on the brakes. No problems yet. 🙂

So what is up with Avid. Did my package jsut get mislabeled at the factory?

Chris Zacho The Wheelman said:

If it's INDEXED derailer housing, yes. The steel in an indexed derailer cable, instead of being
wound into a tight coil (as in brake cables) is instead arranged in lengthwise strands for more
accurate shifting.

This makes the cable extremely resistant to compression (shortening) while shifting, but very weak
as far as rupturing goes.

_DO_NOT_USE_ indexed derailer cable housing for your brakes! This could result in the cable
breaking out of the housing and leaving you with no brakes, at the worst possible time: When
you're braking hard. I cannot stress this enough. It is is a Very Bad Thing!

May you have the wind at your back. And a really low gear for the hills! Chris

Chris'Z Corner "The Website for the Common Bicyclist": geocities.comczcornerOpen ↗

default <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Sorry to beat this horse........ but the reason I asked originally was because I just bought a
full set of Flak Jacket cables to redo my bike..... and looking at the housing, I could not see a
difference between brake/shifter........

natch, there was no difference. These were new sealed cables, but they are both the "lengthwise"
housings.....

So I put it on the brakes. No problems yet. 🙂

So what is up with Avid. Did my package jsut get mislabeled at the

factory?

Does the housing have a braided (stainless steel braid or somesuch) cover, between the outer plastic
sheath, and the inner lengthwise strands? If so, it's likely this will stop the inner strands from
splitting and popping through the outer sheath, and so the cables work for both brakes and gears.

Shaun aRe

No, what Avidsays is that there is enough compression resistance in the housing ( since it is kevlar
based ) that it can be used for brakes and shifters. I have used it for both with no problems.

"default" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Sorry to beat this horse........ but the reason I asked originally was because I just bought a
full set of Flak Jacket cables to redo my bike..... and looking at the housing, I could not see a
difference between brake/shifter........

natch, there was no difference. These were new sealed cables, but they are both the "lengthwise"
housings.....

So I put it on the brakes. No problems yet. 🙂

So what is up with Avid. Did my package jsut get mislabeled at the

factory?

Quoted message said:

Chris Zacho The Wheelman said:

If it's INDEXED derailer housing, yes. The steel in an indexed derailer cable, instead of being
wound into a tight coil (as in brake cables) is instead arranged in lengthwise strands for more
accurate shifting.

This makes the cable extremely resistant to compression (shortening) while shifting, but very
weak as far as rupturing goes.

_DO_NOT_USE_ indexed derailer cable housing for your brakes! This could result in the cable
breaking out of the housing and leaving you with no brakes, at the worst possible time: When
you're braking hard. I cannot stress this enough. It is is a Very Bad Thing!

May you have the wind at your back. And a really low gear for the hills! Chris

Chris'Z Corner "The Website for the Common Bicyclist": geocities.comczcornerOpen ↗