Vision Tech Brake Levers (2)

Triathlon Forum
1

Can anyone tell me is the Vision Tech brakes Levers require a special cable? I put some on and used a standard brake cable and the end cap on the wire sticks out on the outside of the lever. It looks ridiculous and figured something has to be wrong.

Any help would be appreciated.

Sean

2

Yes, the Vision Tech’s use a “custom” brake cable that has a head the normal size of a derailleur cable.

Or you can simply use a standard derailleur cable as some people do.

-Scott

3

OK, thanks
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4

I would not recommend using a derailleur cable as they are much thinner. If you don’t want to purchase the Vision brake cable I would use a normal brake cable as it has the strength to handle the braking forces applied to it.

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5

In the event that standard brake cables have to do, I suppose you could file down the end cap so that it fits…

6

http://www.glorycycles.com/fsavishcaset.html
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7

I would not recommend using a derailleur cable as they are much thinner. If you don’t want to purchase the Vision brake cable I would use a normal brake cable as it has the strength to handle the braking forces applied to it.

For sure this is one of those things that officially has to be filed under ‘not recommended’ for liability reasons, but having done 99% of my own wrenching for the past 10-15 years at least, I wouldn’t say it’s that much thinner. I got a high-quality coated XTR derailleur cable to replace my original Vision brake cable, and I’ve been happy with it. Yes, it’s theoretically less strong, but in practice I think it’s way down on the list of likely failure points, at least for the rear since the front does most of the heavy lifting. Part of the benefit for the rear application is that it improves an otherwise sluggish return from the extra friction of the thicker cable with sub-optimal internal routing, which may or may not be an issue for your bike (it was a noticeable upgrade in my case). Just make sure you’re not using a chintzy cable, and check that the anchor/pinch bolt is in good working order since it will have less to grab.

Of course it’d be different if I were working for a shop doing this for a customer…