I now know why my brake cables kept snapping

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Shut Up Legs

Down Under Member
Can't you fix broken brake cables just by removing them? Braking isn't the strong point of most motorists I see, so I say, if you can't beat 'em then join 'em! :laugh:

Seriously, though, Matthew: where exactly was the cable rubbing? You said at the lever and the brake block, but I'm still trying to picture that.
 

Davidc

Guru
Same here...
and here

Did have a gear cable fail last year at the nipple - crud around it stopping rotation.

There's always a good reason for any failure (sometimes just that something's worn out). If it's cables failing because of rubbing it's alignment. Just fix it. You could abandon lots of bikes if you don't find causes and sort problems out.
 

Globalti

Legendary Member
In 50 years of cycling I've never snapped a brake cable; I've seen a few frayed ones and replaced them but never gone as far as snapping them.
 

Amanda P

Legendary Member
An interesting approach to maintenance, and similar to mine.

The brakes on my bike don't work. When I'm not riding the bike, it doesn't matter. When I am riding the bike, well, I can hardly fix them then, can I?
 

Gravity Aided

Legendary Member
You have to fix them as you get on the bike.
There is a brief moment, a tipping point, as it where, when riding a bicycle goes from intent to actuality.
It is at this point that the brakes should be fixed.
 

Gravity Aided

Legendary Member
You should check in with some politicians in America, Byegad. Many of them have long experience at not using their brains.
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andrew_s

Legendary Member
My brother was also breaking his brake cable frequently. That turned out to be because the barrel the cable nipple sits in inside the lever had seized, and no longer rotated to keep the nipple aligned with the cable. The bending back and forth as the lever was pulled would break off the nipple.
 

avalon

Guru
Brakes and brake cables are the two things that don't wear out on my bikes as they hardly ever get used.
 
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