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

New: Take Part in the new April's Giveaway for a Chance to Win the Euybike S4 Pro Max ebike worth $1299


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
 
12,861
07-22-2015, 06:43 PM
Last Post: knl
 
10,220
07-11-2015, 10:28 PM
Last Post: nfmisso
 
12,694
06-30-2015, 02:49 PM
Last Post: Painkiller
 
16,629
08-21-2013, 03:42 AM
Last Post: 1FJEF
 
20,947
04-27-2011, 06:12 PM
Last Post: Painkiller

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
Thoughts on paceline riding
Today 05:51 PM
2011 GT Tachyon upgrade/mod
Today 05:04 PM
RECOMMENDATION
Today 05:01 PM
Injury Recovery
Today 04:59 PM
1987 Tommaso Alloy lugged frame
Today 04:58 PM
New Member
Today 04:57 PM
Food after late training ride
Yesterday 02:48 PM
Doctors are Prescribing Cycling
04-23-2025 09:50 PM
What was your first bicycle?
04-23-2025 09:17 PM
New Rider Here — Momo + Viribus = Ready ...
04-23-2025 09:15 PM

[-]
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
24 posts
no avatar 2. enkei
16 posts
no avatar 3. SPINMAN
15 posts
no avatar 4. meamoantonio
13 posts
no avatar 5. Flowrider
11 posts