How to tell brake and shifter cables apart
- Thread starter 93EXCivic
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If the reinforcing wires under the housing covering run parallel to the cable its index shifter only. If the reinforcement wire winds around the cable in a spiral its brake or friction cable.
Also brake cables use different ends than shifter cables
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Also brake cables use different ends than shifter cables
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Here are a few more photos to help explain the differences. What is especially important to note is the difference in housing construction--modern shifter housing is stranded while brake housing is coiled. It is imperative that traditional coiled housing be used with brakes!
Stranded shifter housing is considered 'compressionless' for more accurate shifting, but it is far less strong laterally...there's a chance the sidewall could burst if used with brakes.
Stranded shifter housing is considered 'compressionless' for more accurate shifting, but it is far less strong laterally...there's a chance the sidewall could burst if used with brakes.
An easy way is by diameter of the cable. 4mm for shifting, 5mm for braking. It is easy to see by the naked eye. At least all modern ones are this way, i don't know if there were different standards in past.
Sorry, my bad. They are different too. 1.5mm for brake, 1.2mm for shifter. Less of a difference, but still noticeable
Not to mention the Positron cable. Usually solid cable, used as a push - pull shift system like the Shimano Nexus 4 (speed) internal geared hub. No longer available new.
