From what I’ve read on the Internet, brake cables/housing is different than shifter cables/housing.
My LBS told me yesterday that the VisionTech blade brake levers use the same cables/housing as the ones for my deraileurs.
The VisionTech manual for the brake levers says that I should only use VisionTech brake cables/housing for their levers. I’m suspect, because that seems to always be the case - “Only use genuine parts”.
Can any wrenches that have worked on these brake levers fill me in on which one is correct? Thanks!
If you are contemplating purchasing the levers and are wanting to know if you should also purchase cables, when new in the box the brake levers include both cables and housing. The cableset includes plastic ends for the cable housing that provide a secure fit for the cable housing where it feeds into the brake lever assembly! The only thing that differentiates the VisionTech brake cableset from Shimano Dura Ace or Campy is the Vision Tech housing is black and has ‘VisionTech’ and some other data imprinted in silver lettering at regular intervals along the cable. The cable housing ends are the important part so if you are replacing the cableset, then that part needs to be saved if possible.
I already have the levers, but want to change out the cables and housing.
So I should be able to use Shimano DA cables and shifter housing for my VT brakes then, so long as I keep the plastic ends that were on the cables before? Are the ends crimped on or anything, or should they slide right off?
Ok… I just swapped out all the housing and cables on my bike. I compared the newer cables to the old cables, and the old cable for the brake were thicker than the newer ones. The “heads” seem to be the same size, but the cables themselves seem thicker? Is this ok? Is this safe??
Last thing I want to do is to be flying down a hill and have my brake cables fail.
The VisionTech brake lever uses a cable with a smaller head than standard. You should only use the VisionTech cables with these levers. Derailleur cables are smaller diameter than brake cables (brake cables are 5mm dia, derailleur cables are 2.5mm), and will have a really mushy feel with lots of stretch than the thicker brake cables. If you can’t get the VisionTech brake cables, you would be better off to use a standard brake cable and file the head down to match the size of the VisionTech cable, (although if you do that and it breaks, you didn’t hear it from me).
