Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.


Brake cable too short
#1
I am not a bike mechanic by any means. I was wondering if a brake cable can be too short and if the lack of slack can actually affect the braking. A mechanic saw my braking cables and immediately told me that I don't have total braking power. If that is true, why?
  Reply
#2
this can happen if the loop from the levers to the first stop on the frame is too short, it can cause problems due to lack of feel and unintended application of the brakes when turning the bars.
It should be a nice radius, allowing the wire to move smoothly inside the outer cover, slack is not required as this can allow the cable to jump out of the stops and result in no brakes at all.
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread
Author
Replies
Views
Last Post
 
13,129
07-22-2015, 06:43 PM
Last Post: knl
 
10,572
07-11-2015, 10:28 PM
Last Post: nfmisso
 
13,129
06-30-2015, 02:49 PM
Last Post: Painkiller
 
17,095
08-21-2013, 03:42 AM
Last Post: 1FJEF
 
21,328
04-27-2011, 06:12 PM
Last Post: Painkiller

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
Cassette shifting Problem
Today 12:31 PM
How to improve cycling endurance? I've h...
Today 02:43 AM
Food after late training ride
Yesterday 11:54 PM
Hot Weather Safety
Yesterday 09:48 PM
What are your best biking places in your...
06-24-2025 04:21 AM
find a cycling buddy?
06-24-2025 03:37 AM
Gandolfi "Super" model 1985-86 racing bi...
06-23-2025 10:55 PM
AI ACTION FIGURE!
06-23-2025 05:07 PM
First long distance ride..
06-23-2025 06:30 AM
Post-Ride Nutrition
06-23-2025 01:44 AM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. GirishH
20 posts
no avatar 2. Flowrider
18 posts
no avatar 3. Criminal
16 posts
no avatar 4. rydabent
12 posts
no avatar 5. meamoantonio
11 posts