Rear brake cable routing

[NeilM]

I'm definitely getting more and more nerdy with each bike I build... I really am.

I am starting to cable up my latest drop bar creation, and here I have come to a quandary of nerdyism.

So, given that I am British, the left lever will be used for the rear brake, and given that I am using Campagnolo 10 speed Ergo levers, the brake cable will be under the bar tape and will then emerge close to the head tube, but then which side should it go to get to the cable guides?

The cable guides, and there are three of them, are on top of the top tube and centrally mounted, so the brake cable could go to the left of the headset, or the right.... Going to the right will make the curve slightly smoother, but to the left looks neater, to the left or right?

Left?

Or right? :facepalm:

 

[carlrh]

IF you have three cable guides on the crossbar, When sat on the bike left will be for rear brake, centre for front mech right for rear mech. You could use centre for rear brake andleft for fron mech but it could look messy round the seatpost.

 

[Midlife]

What brakes are you using? are the caliper arms on the right side like campag? if so then right cable straight to the front and rear straight down the top tube to the left of the head tube. shorter = neater in my book, its the TT in me

Shaun

 

[Matt_wood55]

Just use the right hand lever for the rear, makes the routing self explanatory. You will get used to it in no time.

 

[originalshinkicker]

This is the problem you run into with trying to keep the rear brake on the left. Just switch them and get the rear brake on the right hand side. Everything will work out and cable runs will be perfect.

 

[Bats]

I don't think pulling on the wrong brake lever when you need to stop in a hurry is perfect.

 

[originalshinkicker]

I don't think pulling on the wrong brake lever when you need to stop in a hurry is perfect.

I just don't understand how people cannot get to grips with having a brake lever on the other side of the handlebars? I recently went to France and had to drive a car with the steering wheel and gear lever on the other side to what I was expecting, and all the other cars were in a different lane on the road, and guess what, I didn't crash, I didn't have a problem, you just do it.

Has no one ever made the shift from downtube shifters to STI's, same thing, gear levers are now on the handlebars, you get used to it, very quickly!

 

[The History Man]

Right side of stem as you look down. Smoother more pleasing curve as the front cable curve will balance it out.

And then get a life.

 

[NeilM]

What brakes are you using? are the caliper arms on the right side like campag? if so then right cable straight to the front and rear straight down the top tube to the left of the head tube. shorter = neater in my book, its the TT in me

Shaun

The brakes are Campag Chorus, and I'm liking your TT / supaslick / speedy / aero looking idea there Shaun.

As to all you right hand rear brake types; I am very happy with things as they are thank you. There is such a thing as tradition you know!

THM: I had a life, then I found this web site. :facepalm:

 

[Mike Muz]

Tradition ?

You're not still wearing wool cycling shorts/tops are you ?

Joking aside , I run all my bikes with left/front right/rear set up . Using the brakes evenly , it makes no odds which way around they are , but makes for a more natural line for both cables .

If you insist on tradition , around the headtube and into the left works best , on my mtbs , the gear cables are that way around , and the steering feels lighter as a result . So with brake cable outer being more flexible , should be easier still mate
Hope this makes sense

Mike