New Roadie - Stiffness in Turning Handlebars?

A picture from the front would be more helpful, as it would give a better view of the cables. It's possible that one or both cables are too short.

Alienator:
I think you are correct about the shortness of the cable/s.
The rear brake cable goes very taut over the head tube when attempting to turn the handlebars to the right; I'll send a better pic when I can.

Is this common, and is it an easy adjustment, or is a replacement needed?

Dansky said:

Alienator:
I think you are correct about the shortness of the cable/s.
The rear brake cable goes very taut over the head tube when attempting to turn the handlebars to the right; I'll send a better pic when I can.

Is this common, and is it an easy adjustment, or is a replacement needed?

If a cable/housing is too short, it has to be replaced. Replacing it, though, is a quick job.

If it turns out that the cable/housing is too short, then I'd go back to the LBS and make sure they take care of it for free. It's a fault on their part to let a bike out the door with a cable that's too short.

Thanks, Alienator. I'm going to get myself into the LBS asap to rectify the situation.

It looks to me like the shifter cables are too short, since Shimano cables should form a nice gradual loop (left and right cable almost touching in the front). Not only can this stiffen up the front like you describe (especially new, when they are very rigid to begin with) but can impact shifting too since the bends look too tight. I agree with Alienator (which is generally a safe bet..) that a front photo would be better. The brake cables look ok, but they left a little more of a loop at the rear than I would prefer.

Can you rotate the bars so they can touch the top tube without yanking on the cables so hard that it squeezes the brake or shifts the derailleurs?

Just a thought, if you don't want to go to the LBS right away. If you removed some of the headset spacers and flipped the stem down it would bring the bars closer to the cable stops thus creating a bit more slack. I'm not saying to change your position if that's comfortable for you but it could help diagnose the problem. Caution: if the fork has a carbon steerer tube, use care in removing the stem (or just wait for the LBS). It's nice way to get to know your bike though too doing this type of stuff yourself. But if the LBS shorted you on cables, let them fix it. They should be able to do it while you wait.

BTW, sweet looking bike. Enjoy it.

Thanks, Peter.
I have uploaded a couple of photos to indicate the cable area near the head-tube better. It really does look as if the rear brake cable is the issue, and I just called the LBS, who is very willing to make whatever adjustments are needed. Due to my inexperience working on this type of thing, I'm going to let them handle it at this point.

To answer your question, if I turn the handlebars all the way to the right, the brake cable doesn't squeeze the brakes. However, it actually tightens all the way against the head tube, then slides/slips upward (onto a thinner section of the head tube) in order to facilitate the complete right turn of the handlebars.

Yeah, your rear brake cable/housing does look short. Plus, your shift cables don't look like they're on the long side of things. Iffin' I were you, I'd keep an eye on how your shifting goes. If the quality seems variable or wonky, you may need longer shift cables. I dunno.

Being inexperienced at bicycle maintenance is a good thing, because now you have the opportunity to learn how to fix, adjust, and maintain things on the bike. It's really dead simple. Online, Park Tool has an excellent section on bike repairs and maintenance, covering everything on the bike. You might also consider buying [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Zinn-Art-Road-Bike-Maintenance/dp/1884737706]Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance[/ame]. It's an excellent tome for beginners.

That said, another great way to learn is to watch the LBS mechanics when they're working on your bike. Ask if you can watch up close, and tell them you'd like to learn. Ask lots o' questions. You can always gift them a 12 pack of a nice beer as a way of saying thanks and buttering them up for more lessons or maybe even more expedient and cheaper service next time. They appreciate things like that, especially as bike mechanics are typically under appreciated.

alienator said:

Yeah, your rear brake cable/housing does look short. Plus, your shift cables don't look like they're on the long side of things. Iffin' I were you, I'd keep an eye on how your shifting goes. If the quality seems variable or wonky, you may need longer shift cables. I dunno.

Being inexperienced at bicycle maintenance is a good thing, because now you have the opportunity to learn how to fix, adjust, and maintain things on the bike. It's really dead simple. Online, Park Tool has an excellent section on bike repairs and maintenance, covering everything on the bike. You might also consider buying Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance. It's an excellent tome for beginners.

That said, another great way to learn is to watch the LBS mechanics when they're working on your bike. Ask if you can watch up close, and tell them you'd like to learn. Ask lots o' questions. You can always gift them a 12 pack of a nice beer as a way of saying thanks and buttering them up for more lessons or maybe even more expedient and cheaper service next time. They appreciate things like that, especially as bike mechanics are typically under appreciated.

Good idea. As long as I give them the beer AFTER they finish working on the cables...🙄

Cable issues aside.......that's a good looking bike, Dansky!

Thanks, Paramount! I'm pretty psyched up for Spring, needless to say.😄

Not to get all philosophical--- but buying a new road bike has been pure pleasure, yet riding it in a group surrounded by fellow cyclists will be certain happiness.

Dansky said:

Thanks, Paramount! I'm pretty psyched up for Spring, needless to say.😄

Not to get all philosophical--- but buying a new road bike has been pure pleasure, yet riding it in a group surrounded by fellow cyclists will be certain happiness.

Oh, I totally understand. I bought my "new" bike about 25 years ago and I still get excited about riding when I look at it. I don't ride during the winter months so every Spring it's like having a new bike.

At my age I should have learned some patience, but my bike is all clean and shiney, and I'm itchin' to go for a ride. Got a few more weeks of winter to get through.....

Update:
My LBS recabled the bike free of charge. They had put a longer stem on the bike after meeting with them the day before my fitting, and overlooked the issue of cable length.

Thanks for all the helpful input and suggestions. Alienator, that Park Tools website is fantastic, btw. I have the Park Tools "Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair" and plan to tinker around with my old aluminum roadie in order to learn more. It actually will be needing a rear hub overhaul soon, from what I was told...

Dansky said:

Update:
My LBS recabled the bike free of charge. They had put a longer stem on the bike after meeting with them the day before my fitting, and overlooked the issue of cable length.

Thanks for all the helpful input and suggestions. Alienator, that Park Tools website is fantastic, btw. I have the Park Tools "Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair" and plan to tinker around with my old aluminum roadie in order to learn more. It actually will be needing a rear hub overhaul soon, from what I was told...

Good stuff.

Dansky said:

Update:
My LBS recabled the bike free of charge. They had put a longer stem on the bike after meeting with them the day before my fitting, and overlooked the issue of cable length.

Thanks for all the helpful input and suggestions. Alienator, that Park Tools website is fantastic, btw. I have the Park Tools "Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair" and plan to tinker around with my old aluminum roadie in order to learn more. It actually will be needing a rear hub overhaul soon, from what I was told...

The longer stem will do it... I'm glad it worked out for you. I concu on Alienatior's choices. I live on the Park Site, and just got the latest edition of Zinn and it's excellent too.