Brake Cables

[Bernie2]

Hi Everyone.

I am about to replace the rear inner brake cable on my Sakura bike. The existing cable is approx 2100mm long and 2mm in diameter but I have searched the internet and my local bike retailers and I just cannot get a cable 2mm thick. They all vary between 1.2mm and 1.5mm. I assume the extra thick cable supplied by Sakura was due to the weight of the bike which is over 40 kilos with tools and locks etc plus me @ 80 kilos and I am wondering if anyone knows where I can get the thicker cable, preferably in stainless?

 

[Emo Rider]

You might try looking online for a rear tandem bike cable. I do recall seeing a thick inner on an Italian built tandem.

 

[Emo Rider]

Just remembered, I believe it was a Gitaine.

 

[D C]

I'm pretty sure you would be OK with the thinner stuff though you may need to change the outer cable as well.
I have an inner cable which is much thicker than normal and seems to be 2mm using a rule and is for a rear brake at 66 inches long.
The brake end has a cylinder shaped nipple with the cable coming out of the centre.
Old but as new, no kinks or rust and was a spare for a bike I no longer have so you're welcome to it if you can't get one.

Dave.

 

[jhruk]

They're difficult to find but it seems you can still get them, although you'd have to check the length with them:

https://www.thebikefactory.co.uk/productdetails.asp?productid=16601

I have a bike which came fitted with these 2mm cables and found it much more convenient to replace them with the widely available 1.6mm ones when the time came.

 

[Alan Quay]

I don't think you need them. I've put a few thousand miles on my bikes, all of which use the cheapest/ordinary cables available from Halfords. My all up weight (complete with son on a towed bike and his fat knacker of a father) will be a lot more than yours. I've not had a failure yet.

 

[Bernie2]

Just remembered, I believe it was a Gitaine.

Many thanks EMO Rider - If I don't come up with anything definite, I will look out for Tandem Cables.

 

[Bernie2]

I'm pretty sure you would be OK with the thinner stuff though you may need to change the outer cable as well.
I have an inner cable which is much thicker than normal and seems to be 2mm using a rule and is for a rear brake at 66 inches long.
The brake end has a cylinder shaped nipple with the cable coming out of the centre.
Old but as new, no kinks or rust and was a spare for a bike I no longer have so you're welcome to it if you can't get one.

Dave.

That was very nice of you DC and your offer was much appreciated but I need one about 82" (2100mm)

 

[Bernie2]

They're difficult to find but it seems you can still get them, although you'd have to check the length with them:

https://www.thebikefactory.co.uk/productdetails.asp?productid=16601

I have a bike which came fitted with these 2mm cables and found it much more convenient to replace them with the widely available 1.6mm ones when the time came.

Many thanks Jhruk. The website did not state the cable's length but I will phone the firm tomorrow to see what it is. If this one is not the right length, they may well stock the 2100mm, so I am getting closer!!

 

[grldtnr]

That was very nice of you DC and your offer was much appreciated but I need one about 82" (2100mm)

How about trying a vintage motorcycle dealer?

 

[Croxden]

If you have the part number, try www.cable-tec.co.uk/applications/bowden_cables.asp?gclid=CNOC1cr768ICFYjKtAodtUUAFw
Assuming you haven't tried this.

 

[Bernie2]

How about trying a vintage motorcycle dealer?

If I cannot find one from normal sources, I'll certainly try that Gridtr. Many thanks

 

[Bernie2]

If you have the part number, try www.cable-tec.co.uk/applications/bowden_cables.asp?gclid=CNOC1cr768ICFYjKtAodtUUAFw
Assuming you haven't tried this.

Thank you Croxden but unfortunately the firm that made Sukura Bikes are no longer in existence and I have not been able to obtain any information about the bike, nor any parts info. However, I will contact Cable - Tec to see if they have one that might meet my spec.

 

[neptune]

Any motorcycle dealer. A lot of lightweight motorbikes still use cable brakes, and cables for clutches. You want an old school dealer who has inner cable on a roll .

 

[D C]

That was very nice of you DC and your offer was much appreciated but I need one about 82" (2100mm)

Sorry, I didn't really consider the length and at my age I tend to think in inches.
Maybe you do need the thicker stuff to avoid any tendency to stretch with that extra length.
F.O.C. offer still stands if you could use it as a spare for the front brake if long enough?
If it's no use to you, any one else?
Dave.

 

[Bernie2]

Many thanks to all of you who responded to my post. I thought you might be interested to know that I have found a source supplying tandem brake cables, albeit 1.8mm thick, which is near enough as far as I am concerned and so I leave you a happy bunny. Thanks.

Bernie

 

[EddiePJ]

Glad to here that your are sorted, but if it happens to fall through, request a complementary copy of Old Bike Mart. There always used to be companies advertising cable making services in it.

 

[Bernie2]

Sorry, I didn't really consider the length and at my age I tend to think in inches.
Maybe you do need the thicker stuff to avoid any tendency to stretch with that extra length.
F.O.C. offer still stands if you could use it as a spare for the front brake if long enough?
If it's no use to you, any one else?
Dave.

Hello Dave. Yes, it would come in handy as a spare for my front brake and I would be very happy to compensate you for the postage, packing and your time. Rather than post my address on the forum, I could phone you to exchange addresses but here again, would you want to display your phone number on this forum? I really don't know the implications of doing either but perhaps you can let me have your views as to how we could do this. If it gets a bit too complicated, I am happy to call it a day.

PS. It took me about 40 years to convert to metric but I still talk in inches!!

 

[Bernie2]

Glad to here that your are sorted, but if it happens to fall through, request a complementary copy of Old Bike Mart. There always used to be companies advertising cable making services in it.

Many thanks Eddie. I think I am ok for the time being but I can think of various items I may need in the future, especially as Sakura E-bikes no longer exist and will bookmark the magazine for when I might need it.

 

[D C]

Hello Dave. Yes, it would come in handy as a spare for my front brake and I would be very happy to compensate you for the postage, packing and your time. Rather than post my address on the forum, I could phone you to exchange addresses but here again, would you want to display your phone number on this forum? I really don't know the implications of doing either but perhaps you can let me have your views as to how we could do this. If it gets a bit too complicated, I am happy to call it a day.

PS. It took me about 40 years to convert to metric but I still talk in inches!!

I think you could perhaps send me a private message through the forum though I'm not quite sure how to do this. I've had messages sent to me and have responded but not sure how to instigate them, maybe some kind person on here will give us a hint. We can't give up now!
I definitely don't require reimbursement of any kind, postage will be peanuts anyway. It is Christmas

Dave.