Stupid Avid Brake Installation Question

[h2oskierc]

I've got an Avid BBDB that I am going to be installing on the front of my bike, hopefully in the near future.

Can I re-use the cable housing that is currently on my bike, and simply run the new brake cable through it, or will I need to re-do the housing too?

I will be needing the cable to be a little longer, as I am switching from rim brakes, but would prefer to use the existing housing so I don't need to mess around with finishing the ends and all that junk.

-Chris

[LightWeight]

So you're not planning on running full housing to the brake? If you're already putting on a new cable, do new housing as well.

[h2oskierc]

I wasn't looking at doing full housing to the brake because (unless I misunderstood) Avid doesn't recommend it. They advocate as little housing as possible to reduce friction on the line. It seemed to make sense to me, plus what purpose is the housing going to serve from the top of the fork to the bottom?

Is it normal to run housing all the way to the brake?

[LightWeight]

Is it normal to run housing all the way to the brake?

Hmmm... I've never seen it any other way. I would assume it's better as the housing protects the cable.

[Kosk]

Whoa, yeah, you are supposed to run full housing all the way down to the brake caliper! Avid meant to run as little housing as possible while achieving full length. You don't need it looking like a walmart special or anything, just be long enough to reach without kinks or sharp bends when the fork is at full extension.

Look at the caliper, it comes with a little rubber gaurd that goes over the housing to shield that end from mud and dust. Plus, look where the cable gets routed thru, that opening is made for a housing end to butt into. The housing you already have is definately too short if it is a rim brake. Go to the LBS and get a chunck long enough to reach, and a new cable while you are at it. Should be about $5 total.

Running full housing, even along the straight lower leg of the fork won't make any more friction, its only when housing turns and loops that friction becomes more of a factor, the extra strait length down the fork leg will be negligable and will probably actually make it smoother over time, as not running full housing could lead to contamination sooner. Think about it, it's completely closed from lever to caliper, no dirts getting in there.

I rock Avid mechs on my bike and run full length housing to the rear too. Usually find I have to maintain the rear derailluer cable (not full length), but I never have to clean/replace the brake lines.

[Ogre]

I have the Avid mechanicals on 2 bikes.

One uses generic cable all the way to the brakes.
One uses Avid Full Metal Jacket cables (obviously reccommended by Avid).

There is perhaps less friction with the Full Metal Jacket system
(and it looks cool :cool: ).

But any decent cable in good condition (grease it if it's sticky),
will work fine with these brakes.

[shourtt]

So are the Avid Full Metal Jacket cables worth the money? I am intrigued by the sealed system.

[Panman]

Not unless you have the money, hard tail, and a lot of strait runs for the cable. It does make a slight difference though. I have them on my FS bike and the front is like pulling air. The only problem I ran into was the strait runs for the aluminum tube. On full suspension bikes there arn't many with the suspension action.

[soupboy]

housing you can buy in bulk from the LBS or online. Use good cutter and make sure you ream out the opening for free movement.

I almost always give a couple shots of grease with a PrepM gun into new housing.

You should always use full length housing on the front. Quite frankly, I don't see how you'd do it any other way. For the rear brake I have left the portion on the TT/DT exposed for a "cleaner" look without zips. It doesn't get any "dirtier" or affect performance any more than similarly exposed shifter or v-brake cables.

Really, this is the inherent beauty of the Avid Mechs.