Cables for downtube shifters

[Ugo51]

Hi all,

The shifters on my Peugeot take cables with much smaller barrels than those of modern Shimano inner gear cables.
I don't seem to find a specific "vintage size inner gear cables". Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[ZG862]

I would be surprised if they are anything other than the "old" standard gear cables - Clarks/Lifeline etc from your favourite retailer should do the trick. Lifeline seem to call these "Campagnolo" for reasons unknown to me. If anything they should probably be called "Simplex".
Many come as double ended cables. Don't try and push the unwanted barrel through the guides/inner or you will be there for some time; Cut it off with (sharp) cutters. In the olden days, we used to run some solder into the cable at the free end after beyond where it was clamped at the mech before cutting it to prevent it fraying. Everyone seems to stick a cap on it for the same purpose nowadays.

Z

 

[mattr]

Yes, campag barrels always used to be slightly smaller diameter IIRC (only 0,2 mm or something daft)

 

[dutchie]

I would be surprised if they are anything other than the "old" standard gear cables - Clarks/Lifeline etc from your favourite retailer should do the trick. Lifeline seem to call these "Campagnolo" for reasons unknown to me. If anything they should probably be called "Simplex".
Many come as double ended cables. Don't try and push the unwanted barrel through the guides/inner or you will be there for some time; Cut it off with (sharp) cutters. In the olden days, we used to run some solder into the cable at the free end after beyond where it was clamped at the mech before cutting it to prevent it fraying. Everyone seems to stick a cap on it for the same purpose nowadays.

Z

I do that still always: put some solder into teh cutted ends. And also file the barrels for Campagnolo use. If you don't you'll regret for sure. Double ended cables are not anymore. In the earlier days there were indeed, one side with the more-a-less standaard barrel and on teh other side the more rounded Huret ones.

 

[Ugo51]

Thanks. Got some "campagnolo" cables.

I won't solder the free end, a cap will do

 

[Old Ned]

I never had any success trying to solder cut ends. Even with a good quality iron and lots of heat. I presume it was because of oil in the strands, even after degreasing attempts with petrol, lighter fuel etc.

 

[ZG862]

Always used a (plumbing etc) butane/propane gas torch rather than a soldering iron. It gets enough of the cable hot quickly without trying to warm the whole cable as a soldering iron would. Nowadays (because I have some) I'd wipe a bit of flux in there first but the solder should melt OK without too.

I hope it goes without saying that it is not a good idea to point the torch at your paintwork/clothing/hair/pets when heating your cable...

 

[Old Ned]

Always used a (plumbing etc) butane/propane gas torch rather than a soldering iron. It gets enough of the cable hot quickly without trying to warm the whole cable as a soldering iron would. Nowadays (because I have some) I'd wipe a bit of flux in there first but the solder should melt OK without too.

I hope it goes without saying that it is not a good idea to point the torch at your paintwork/clothing/hair/pets when heating your cable...

I've got one of those torches these days - and would never attempt to solder without flux (of which I have several options) - so might have a go again next time I trim a cable.

 

[ZG862]

I've got one of those torches these days - and would never attempt to solder without flux (of which I have several options) - so might have a go again next time I trim a cable.

Don't sweat it though - sharp cutters + not over-tightening the cable clamp + decent cable = not much fraying risk. I think "my" shop only used to solder them as we knew we'd most likely be servicing the bike in future and a frayed cable in your finger tip really hurts - even more if you installed it originally.

 

[Old Ned]

In recent years I've only cut cables using a very sharp Park pair of 'snips' and fitted aluminium cable end caps, often anodised to suit the bike I'm fitting them to.

Anal retentive or what........................ :roll: