New cables required when going from STI to bar-end shifters/tri brakes?

Triathlon Forum
1

I’m converting my road bike from a drop/STI set-up with clipons to a tri setup, with a pursuit bar/aerobars and tri brake levers.

Can I use the existing brake cables and shifter cables that I’ve got going into my STI housing, or do I need to get new cables?

Also, is this the kind of task that I can do myself (basic to intermediate technical skills), or should I entrust this task to my LBS? Assume that I’ve got access to shop-quality tools, there’s a co-op bicycle project in town with an open shop that I can take the bike into if I make the conversion myself.

Thanks!

2

You probably will be ok with the same cables. You might need new housing if the old one is in bad shape or permanently twisted because of being fit to the dropbars in case of Campagnolo shifters. But in terms of lenght, you should be fine.

EDIT: Also I don’t think it’s something that needs special skill or experience.

3

I agree with Paublo. Probably ok with the cables, housing may be off, and a pretty easy task. Only thing is, sometimes you may fray the cables inadvertantly and then have to cut the length shorter which will thus, make the cables too short.

4

actually i believe you’re going to need different brake cable for tri brake levers, unless your current brake cable already has an end like this (not familiar with campy):
http://www.cyclesurgery.com/ProductImages/RM0100.jpg

der cable should carry over to your bar end levers.

5

Depends on the brake levers. Dia-Compe definitely use those kind of cable ends, but the other type also works, just doesn’t look perfect.

6

you’re right, dia-comp and tektro as well seem to prefer the shape in the picture. other cable ends will work, i guess, but i’m not sure i’d want to put a circle in a square, so to speak.

7

yeah, the profile brakes i have on my tri bike are actually the same as the road bike, but my older vision levers used the other type
.

8

Rahzel,

You may be able to use your existing cables but unless you are planning on using the bar end shfters in friction mode rather than index mode, know that your shifting performance will most likely suffer versus using new cables and housings.

You are generally talking less than $30 for new shift housings and cables. Can’t you sell your oldest child or something to scrape up that kind of change?

9

Thanks for the tips, all. FYI my road bike is a Trek 1500 (with stock brake and shifter cables) with Shimano 105 STI housings.

I’m saving my firstborn child for my race wheelset :slight_smile:

10

Why not use this opportunity to replace the old cables and housings? The darn things are a couple of bucks at most from your local bike shop. New cables NEVER hurt!! Your housings are probably not going to fit in length anyways, so go ahead and replace it all.