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New cable stretch?
#1
Welcome back!

About 2 months ago, I put new cables on both the bikes (1970 Gitane, 1980 Peugeot) I've been restoring...

I have been checking the alignment of the gearing and brakes, and I believe I've noticed a minor 'new cable stretch' for lack of a better term....

What I'm trying to say is, I'm noticing a slight re-adjustment in brakes and derailleur adjustment that's needed a couple months after the install...  

I kind of remember this to be true on motorcycle Clutch cables..  but have not seen this on these bikes before (basically because this is the first time -- ever that proper maintenance has been done on these two bicycles...).

Though with exception of a quick 5 min ride, just before Snow and Salt hit the streets, after the maintenance... Bikes have basically sat in basement, other than being put up on the lift so as to check the system adjustments, hanging from the lift...

I believe it is somewhat normal for new cables to stretch..... Right?   
(I'm asking because I had to do multiple slight adjustments, and I don't remember it being this way a couple months ago! Just checking my sanity!!!)
  Reply
#2
(02-08-2015, 11:07 AM)JanJ Wrote:  Welcome back!

About 2 months ago, I put new cables on both the bikes (1970 Gitane, 1980 Peugeot) I've been restoring...

I have been checking the alignment of the gearing and brakes, and I believe I've noticed a minor 'new cable stretch' for lack of a better term....

What I'm trying to say is, I'm noticing a slight re-adjustment in brakes and derailleur adjustment that's needed a couple months after the install...  

I kind of remember this to be true on motorcycle Clutch cables..  but have not seen this on these bikes before (basically because this is the first time -- ever that proper maintenance has been done on these two bicycles...).

Though with exception of a quick 5 min ride, just before Snow and Salt hit the streets, after the maintenance... Bikes have basically sat in basement, other than being put up on the lift so as to check the system adjustments, hanging from the lift...

I believe it is somewhat normal for new cables to stretch..... Right?   
(I'm asking because I had to do multiple slight adjustments, and I don't remember it being this way a couple months ago! Just checking my sanity!!!)


Not unusual to do a post adjustment after installing cable/housing. This is the main reason shops offer a post purchase tune-up. Multiple adjustments are not so normal but may be due to other reasons such as barrel adjusters not remaining in position. Realize to a certain degree, cables may stretch and Housing may compress. But once seated should be fine until they degrade
There are two kinds of people in the world, "Those who help themselves to people, and those who help people!"
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#3
(02-08-2015, 11:33 AM)painkiller Wrote:  
(02-08-2015, 11:07 AM)JanJ Wrote:  Welcome back!

About 2 months ago, I put new cables on both the bikes (1970 Gitane, 1980 Peugeot) I've been restoring...

I have been checking the alignment of the gearing and brakes, and I believe I've noticed a minor 'new cable stretch' for lack of a better term....

What I'm trying to say is, I'm noticing a slight re-adjustment in brakes and derailleur adjustment that's needed a couple months after the install...  

I kind of remember this to be true on motorcycle Clutch cables..  but have not seen this on these bikes before (basically because this is the first time -- ever that proper maintenance has been done on these two bicycles...).

Though with exception of a quick 5 min ride, just before Snow and Salt hit the streets, after the maintenance... Bikes have basically sat in basement, other than being put up on the lift so as to check the system adjustments, hanging from the lift...

I believe it is somewhat normal for new cables to stretch..... Right?   
(I'm asking because I had to do multiple slight adjustments, and I don't remember it being this way a couple months ago!  Just checking my sanity!!!)

Not unusual to do a post adjustment after installing cable/housing. This is the main reason shops offer a post purchase tune-up. Multiple adjustments are not so normal but may be due to other reasons such as barrel adjusters not remaining in position. Realize to a certain degree, cables may stretch and Housing may compress. But once seated should be fine until they degrade

Thanks...  By multiple adjustments, I meant I had to do same adjustments on multiple (2) bikes!
It does make sense.... Thanks!
  Reply
#4
Please note that if you adjust before everything is finished stretching/compressing, you will have to do the adjustments more than once.
Nigel
  Reply
#5
(02-09-2015, 12:34 PM)nfmisso Wrote:  Please note that if you adjust before everything is finished stretching/compressing, you will have to do the adjustments more than once.

Thanks for confirmation on that...  You can imagine me saying to myself.... "I know it wasn't like this during the 5 min ride in December!!"   Come On Spring!
  Reply
#6
Thanks for the advice.
  Reply


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