In any design, you should pay attention to the cable of bicycle brakes. It is responsible for the rapid and timely operation of disc and rim brakes.
Faced with the many obstacles that could arise (a door opening, a pedestrian crossing without looking …) the cyclist must be able to stop dead! Hence the need for a reliable and efficient braking system.
So because brake cables wear out over time, It is therefore essential to maintain them properly and to change them when their wear becomes less efficient. Here are some tips for changing your bike brake cables.
A cable is a steel structure designed to transfer forces between different parts of the bike, which triggers the brake.
Install these steel cables only on two types of brakes: disc and rim brakes. The main differences between these two types are in the braking method. If the disc brakes stop the disc on the hub of the bike, the rims brake the wheel rim. The cable itself is specially made of strong alloys to withstand increased loads.
Tools You Must Need To Change The brake Cable
Before we start you should make sure that you have all the tools that you will need, for that reason we have made a list of tools some of them are necessary some other are optional.
This tool would be required for changing the cable brake or any other things that you may want to repaire in your house, car or even your motorcycle.
This one is made from U.S.A as it has the most popular sizes which contains all the smaller L keys.
As it’s easy to hold with you wherever you go either for bike, motorcycle or even your car.
A great tool like this is a must for everyone who loves his bike maintenance because it gives you the comfort required for repairing your bike which makes not only the repair cable easy but all the hard tasks in your bike maintenance.
And also if you want to keep your bike safe and clean from dirt.
This support is adjustable with a rotating clamp which makes it more flexible for any height and position you like to use while enjoying the bike maintenance.
One of the great features in this support is the magnetic tool plate which makes your work look handy and awesome.
Also you must know that this one is foldable and portable as it’s very easy to fold and quick release.
So while changing the brake cable it’s highly recommended to make sure everything is well in your chain, for that reason checking the lubrication is required for the prevention of friction that can damage and extend the chain. This lubricant is for the dry and wet lubrication.
The crank extractor will do the hard task if you repair the shimano part, this tool set is durable for a long term period which can be a good investment if you want to make some DIY bike maintenance.
This kit is very helpful for the wrench removal and auxiliary wrench, this high quality tool from the Oumer brand, can make the task more easier.
So the bike hand is for those who are willing to make a very good investment especially if they are lovers of DIY activities like me.
All you may need to repair the bike is your hand bike, just go and check every item included in this selection to be informed about every single tool you will buy.
Different Types of Bike Brake Cables?
There are three main types of bike brake cables:
- Derailleur brake cable
- MTB (mountain bike) brake cable.
- Road bike brake cable.
Main Types of Disc Brakes
Disc brakes mainly come in two types, these are.
- Mechanical Disc Brake
- Hydraulic Disc Brake
Main Types of Rim Brakes
This type of brake is generally activated by a lever on the handlebar which applies force to the rim of the wheel, causing the bicycle to slow down and stop.
- Cantilever brakes.
- Caliper brakes –which are used in most road bikes.
The operating time of the brake cable
The operating time of the brake cable is quite long, but of course, if you do not engage in extreme races. So to recognize if the cable is failing, you can look at the areas where the veins have begun to RUB, bend or delaminate.
Most bicycle brake cables are made from wear-resistant Teflon, steel, and other threads that are specially woven together. Some of them are also coated with polymer.
As time passes, the strength of the cable decreases, and it may break. In addition to the difference in material, there are several types of cable braiding.
It is formed by winding several layers of specialized conductors interspersed with various metals. The cable base is lubricated to reduce friction, and each layer is coated with plastic.
Such a cable is included in the budget options and is the cheapest, but it is quite difficult to meet it on the shelves of bicycle spare parts. SIS-is made by wrapping special steel threads in a spiral around the base.
Metal sheets are added there and coated with Teflon grease to reduce friction between the base and the braid. This is rather the Golden mean in terms of cost and quality, since they last quite a long time and are common in production.
SIS-SP-this braid is made of strong types of metal with a polymer coating. They are laid parallel to each other in several layers, and the inner part of the cable is covered with silicone grease between the base and the braid to reduce the resulting friction.
They are a modern analog of the two previous versions. Such a cable is the most expensive which is used on bicycles that participate in competitions.
So to choose the right brake cable for you, you should focus on 2 properties:
- The braking capability strength is the force with which the brake pads tighten and brake the bike accordingly.
- The stronger it is – the better; the duration of wear is an indicator of the estimated service life of the cable (usually indicated on the manufacturer’s packaging), with proper care and proper operation of the structure.
How the bicycle brake cable can last longer
In order for the cable to last a long time, it is necessary to adhere to certain rules:
- Usually the wires in the sale have a greater length than necessary for your model bike. Therefore, when installing it, you should trim it. Don’t do this with wire cutters.
- An exception to this can only be a new and very sharp tool that can cut off part of the cable in 1-2 movements. This is done so that the end of the cable is not split and not shaggy. The best way to trim with a grinder.
- When choosing a braid (casing) on the cable, you should not measure a certain length, take the standard one.
- During installation, it is necessary to lubricate the base itself and the coating with a specialized liquid to reduce friction between the two elements during use, and accordingly reduce cable wear. The best lubricant is silicone, which is also the most expensive.
Afterward you have made a replacement, you need to drive for a while. After 10 km, re-check the tension, because if the cable is incorrectly installed, it may become loose. It is also advisable to disassemble the cable and all its components every season, lubricate all structural elements for longer use.
When do I need to replace the cables?
The cable must be replaced in case of damage, wiping, or tearing of the steel base. It is better to prevent such a breakdown than to solve it if it occurs. To do this, you can carry out disassembly of the structure every season and check its integrity.
To do this:
- Check the integrity and availability of bicycle regulators.
- Use the appropriate key to unscrew the bolt that secures the cable.
- Remove the screw of the brake.
- Remove the cable from the braid and check for damage.
- If no problems are found, put the shirt back on.
- Check the caps at the end of the cable.
- After performing the above operations, you need to adjust the tires.
Which brake systems don’t use cables?
As you may know, the cable is not used only on drum brakes, and this is due to the structure of this type of brake. The structure itself is located inside the wheel bushings, they are somewhat similar to automobile ones.
Drum brakes have their own advantages and disadvantages:
- Among the advantages, it is worth noting the high braking coefficient and the complexity of the mechanism in comparison with its analogues.
- Among the minuses, poor reliability with an aggressive driving style or participation in competitions, difficulty in maintenance.
- A less noticeable disadvantage is the large weight relative to the other brakes, which can play a crucial role in some competitions.
- When choosing a brake cable for a Bicycle, you should not save money, because high-quality cables can serve for a long time even with aggressive and extreme driving style. You will encounter a number of difficulties when replacing it.
- It is better to buy a quality product right away. As a result, it will be cheaper – you will change it less often than the less expensive analog.
Conclusion
The brake cable plays a major role in the functioning of the bike, either you’re professional or just a beginner with this kind of cool transportation tool.
That’s why in this article we’ve put some quick tips of what you must know about the bicycle brake cable which is very essential in every single bike.