Top tube internal brake cable routing (steel frame)--does it rattle?

[zap]

Not steel but Klein did a very good job back in the day. Brake cable in on the front right side of the tt and out the back left side. No cable housing used inside the tt and no rattles.

[Admiral Ackbar]

im not sure i would call the klein internal routing a good job. they are a total pain in the arse to re-cable

i have an older trek with internal routing for the rear brake thru the tt, uses full length housing, no rattles for me.

[pbarry]

The Merlin Ti Spectrums had this feature. 10-20 frames in each size run became Spectrums and had TT internal routing, (DK's method #2), special SP tops, and different welds.

Bending 1/4" Ti tubing along several different planes can be frustrating, but so rewarding when you were in the groove and every one came out smoothly. IIrc, all we had for a jig was a block of wood clamped in a vise with 5/16th holes drilled in it. Usually, lots of cursing, and some blood involved.

[fuzzalow]

I've only had internal routing for the rear brake on a production bike - a Columbus-era Cinelli SuperCorsa. It did not rattle and it was also easy to route a bare cable through with a fully enclosed tube. Slip the brake housing into the receptical stops in the top tube - no ferrules. Bare wire inside the tube. I raise this because this was a bog stock production frame and it was no problem.

FWIW I have had this option on many custom frame orders and I have always chosen standard external routing. I don't like the entry and exit line aesthetics of the cable housing imposed by the internal routing end fixtures.

[Lionel]

full housing internal routing on my Sachs and my Zank, no rattling.

[douglas]

My 90's era Colnago Master has full internal housing for the rear brake. No noise and the braking is fine.

[zap]

Originally Posted by Admiral Ackbar

im not sure i would call the klein internal routing a good job. they are a total pain in the arse to re-cable

It is pretty simple. Disconnect rear brake cable, snip off crimped bit of cable, slip on proper length plastic cable liner, push through until that exits the front, tape in place then pull out brake cable. Reverse when installing new cable.

Repeat for the derailleur cables.

[miksibis]

Originally Posted by zap

It is pretty simple. Disconnect rear brake cable, snip off crimped bit of cable, slip on proper length plastic cable liner, push through until that exits the front, tape in place then pull out brake cable. Reverse when installing new cable.

Repeat for the derailleur cables.

oooh....where was this little chestnut of knowledge when I needed it most!

[sparky33]

Full housing run on my Weigle also cuz that's the way JPW does it. It works as it should.

Though I prefer external cabling because it's totally functional and easy. A sealed cable kit works if contamination is a concern.

Originally Posted by rwsaunders

I have a 25 year old Weigle that has internal rear brake cable routing and there are no rattles. I like the clean look as DK stated and I'd do it again if i were commissioning a frame. I like the look, and not having to deal with the donuts being evenly spaced is a bonus in my book too.

[blantonator]

My cannonade has two cable stops in the top tube, so there is no housing to go in the tube. It's a slight PITA to run the cable, but no housing or tubing to rattle and it's lighter and probably less friction. This is my vote.