Fitting new brakes

ForumNewbie
ForumNewbie Posts: 1,664
edited September 2009 in Workshop
I've just ordered a new set of Shimano 105 road brakes. I've not fitted brakes before, but I was hoping it should be reasonably straightfoward if I follow the instructions! However I am just wondering whether I should also fit new cables. On the face of it the current cables appear okay, but when I recently got my gears checked, the LBS guy fitted a new stainless steel cable which he said was a better quality cable than I had.

However I think fitting a new cable properly for a mechanical novice like me may be more tricky as for a start I am not sure how to fit cables to the shifters (Shimano 105s as well). Therefore if your advice is that I should definitely fit new cables with the brakes, I think I may need to pop the bike into an LBS for that.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Comments

  • Steveorow
    Steveorow Posts: 162
    Not a difficult job re fitting new cables . Look on the shimano site for the tech documents or parktool site . You dont say what frame you have .
    The New brakes willl come with terrible short nuts to secure the new brake assy to the fork . Make sure you keep the original brake ones safe if you have a realtivley new frame as you will probably struggle to fit the brakes with the ones shimano supply . You can get these at any LBS for a couple of quid .
  • sicknote
    sicknote Posts: 901
    Also have a look on youtube as I have seen a video on it that shows you how to do the shifters end.
  • ForumNewbie
    ForumNewbie Posts: 1,664
    Steveorow wrote:
    Not a difficult job re fitting new cables . Look on the shimano site for the tech documents or parktool site . You dont say what frame you have .
    The New brakes willl come with terrible short nuts to secure the new brake assy to the fork . Make sure you keep the original brake ones safe if you have a realtivley new frame as you will probably struggle to fit the brakes with the ones shimano supply . You can get these at any LBS for a couple of quid .
    It's a Dawes Audax bike with a Reynolds 631 frame. I assumed the nuts would fit any frame. I certainly hope they do as these brakes are £32 each - not the dearest, but not exactly cheap. Most of the nuts on my current brakes are rusty (they rusted very easily and quickly) and I had hoped better brakes would have stainless steel or alloy nuts?
  • Steveorow
    Steveorow Posts: 162
    I would think it would be okay if its a steel fork as the hole that the caliper bolt fits through shouldnt be to long .
    Difficult to describe what I meant but ; carbon forks the hole where the break bolt goes through the fork can be quiet deep . The bolt on the break caliper is designed to fit all forks so the bolt on the break caliper is quiet short to ensure it does not stick out on some older forks . This is accomdated by a lusing a longer nut on the deeper forks ; however shimano normaly provide with the shortest nut and hence you end up struggling to fit the brake caliper and secure tight enough .

    For example these may be required if you have new carbon forks . If you have a steel fork then it will probably be okay . If not its down to the LBS for some longer ones . Wait and try it first before purchasing these nuts .

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=17557

    P.S. Dont assume these nuts will not corrode they do . After I have tightened them up I normaly fill the hole with some grease to stop this happening
  • Steveorow
    Steveorow Posts: 162
    That url didnt work hopefully this one will

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=17557
  • themoog
    themoog Posts: 22
    Sort of on this same subject - how do people generally 'seal' the cable ends to the cable. Do you just use the cable cutter to squash it down?

    I've managed to fit the new caliper, but got stuck at this point.

    Thanks for the help
  • schlepcycling
    schlepcycling Posts: 1,614
    themoog wrote:
    Sort of on this same subject - how do people generally 'seal' the cable ends to the cable. Do you just use the cable cutter to squash it down?

    I've managed to fit the new caliper, but got stuck at this point.

    Thanks for the help

    Use cable end caps like these http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Transfil_Pack_Of_10_Anti-Fray__Inner_Cable_End_Caps/5360011241/
    'Hello to Jason Isaacs'
  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    if you want a really neat finish on the cable just use a dab of superglue on the end of the cable.
    Neeermad
    Carbon 456
    456 lefty
    Pompino
    White Inbred
  • ForumNewbie
    ForumNewbie Posts: 1,664
    Steveorow wrote:
    I would think it would be okay if its a steel fork as the hole that the caliper bolt fits through shouldnt be to long .
    Difficult to describe what I meant but ; carbon forks the hole where the break bolt goes through the fork can be quiet deep . The bolt on the break caliper is designed to fit all forks so the bolt on the break caliper is quiet short to ensure it does not stick out on some older forks . This is accomdated by a lusing a longer nut on the deeper forks ; however shimano normaly provide with the shortest nut and hence you end up struggling to fit the brake caliper and secure tight enough .

    For example these may be required if you have new carbon forks . If you have a steel fork then it will probably be okay . If not its down to the LBS for some longer ones . Wait and try it first before purchasing these nuts .

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=17557

    P.S. Dont assume these nuts will not corrode they do . After I have tightened them up I normaly fill the hole with some grease to stop this happening
    Thanks Steveorow,
    The brakes still haven't arrived from Wiggle, despite the order being processed at just after 7am on Friday morning - I even paid an extra £4 for Priority Despatch!

    Anyway, I thought the nuts and screws would be alloy or stainless steel. I also want to replace rusting bottle boss screws, and also ones connecting my rack at the back. I presume I will be able to buy some rust-free screws at an LBS?
  • themoog
    themoog Posts: 22
    schlepcycling wrote:
    themoog wrote:
    Sort of on this same subject - how do people generally 'seal' the cable ends to the cable. Do you just use the cable cutter to squash it down?

    I've managed to fit the new caliper, but got stuck at this point.

    Thanks for the help

    Use cable end caps like these http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Transfil_Pack_Of_10_Anti-Fray__Inner_Cable_End_Caps/5360011241/

    Yep, sorry wasn't explaining very well - I've got the cable end thingy. I just need to seal it in place with something (otherwise it just slides off). Was wondering if I should use the cable cutter to do it.
  • geoff_ss
    geoff_ss Posts: 1,201
    I usually use shrink-on tubing on my cable ends it makes a neat job and prevents fraying, sharp wire ends digging into finger tips when you're doing a touch of maintenance.

    A good source of stainless (and other) nuts and bolts is here - http://www.modelfixings.com/.
    They have a wide range. I use them a lot for my other hobby needs.

    Geoff
    Old cyclists never die; they just fit smaller chainrings ... and pedal faster
  • Chris James
    Chris James Posts: 1,040
    ForumNewbie.

    Have you ordered 5600 105 brakes? They are the ones I can see on Wiggle for £32.

    I don't think they will fit your frame as they are short drop and you need long(ish) drop 47-57mm - eg

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Shima ... 360037370/
  • schlepcycling
    schlepcycling Posts: 1,614
    themoog wrote:
    schlepcycling wrote:
    themoog wrote:
    Sort of on this same subject - how do people generally 'seal' the cable ends to the cable. Do you just use the cable cutter to squash it down?

    I've managed to fit the new caliper, but got stuck at this point.

    Thanks for the help

    Use cable end caps like these http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Transfil_Pack_Of_10_Anti-Fray__Inner_Cable_End_Caps/5360011241/

    Yep, sorry wasn't explaining very well - I've got the cable end thingy. I just need to seal it in place with something (otherwise it just slides off). Was wondering if I should use the cable cutter to do it.

    Sorry, yes just squash them on with your cable cutters.
    'Hello to Jason Isaacs'
  • ForumNewbie
    ForumNewbie Posts: 1,664
    Chris James wrote:
    ForumNewbie.

    Have you ordered 5600 105 brakes? They are the ones I can see on Wiggle for £32.

    I don't think they will fit your frame as they are short drop and you need long(ish) drop 47-57mm - eg

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Shima ... 360037370/
    Yes it is the 5600 105 brakes that I have ordered. I assumed they were a universal fit for all road bikes. I am still waiting for them - I think they are probably sitting in some sorting office due to postal strike. If you are right Chris, it looks as if when I do receive them, they will be going back in exchange for these 650s or something similar. Thanks for the warning - I will check them closely before trying to fit them.

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