Specialized Venge - Cable Routing

bianchibob

I am in the process of building up a Specialized Venge and have now come to the point of re-cabling both gears and brakes.
I am conscious that to get efficient braking and gear changes the cabling routes should be as smooth as possible and I am therefore going to cable the gear routes using the 'California Cross' method.

I propose to use a handlebar system with internal routing and this is where I am in a bit of a dilemma.

Conventional brake set up is right lever to front brake, this results in quite a tight curve to the front brake, I am proposing to use the left lever to front brake, a more relaxed curve and more suited to internal handlebar cabling.

Another positive to this set up is that I will be able to use front brake with left hand and change rear derailleur gears with right hand at the same time, this would be invaluable for a fast downhill descent followed by a sharp ascent, a situation I find difficult under conventional cabling when you have to try and brake and downshift at the same time.

My riding style, from many years of motorcycling, is to always use front brake first, and then depending on conditions modulate this with the rear brake to give efficient braking.

Any thoughts or suggestions on this set up ?

t4tomo

Your going to need a new user name if you start riding a Spesh

bianchibob

I have a full carbon Bianchi as well running Campagnolo Record 10 speed

bianchibob

New carbon bars arrived today, so had a go at fitting outer cables through bars, a bit tricky but managed it OK. Using Shimano Ultegra 11 speed set up and to be truthful the inners and outers are that silky smooth, I have decided to cable everything the UK conventional way regarding the brakes.

rolf_f

Nothing wrong with European cabling. Works fine, looks neat - especially if you cross the gear cables under the down tube.

Here's mine!

bernithebiker

I often ride bikes with front brake on the left, and I really don't like it, just doesn't feel natural, even after a week or so.

I'm always happy to get back to front brake right, just seems much more logical to me, especially if you ride motorbikes.

My Sworks cabled up fine.

rolf_f

bernithebiker wrote:

I often ride bikes with front brake on the left, and I really don't like it, just doesn't feel natural, even after a week or so.

I used to have half and half - some bikes left front, some right front. Never bothered me either way! There's no real logic either way - it's just what you are used to. Logic would support a market for calipers with the cable on the opposite side as used to be available.