The really cool thing about the GB stems was that they threaded the top of the hole in the stem for those tiny adjusters that Raleigh used on some bikes. I remember that we used to collect similar adjusters from Simplex downtube shifters on bikes that had open cables. We used to use them on the rear shift cable casing on bikes that had the real Campy chainstay brazeon, because they just fit through the ferrule hole and provided fine adjustment for the rear derailleur cable.
The front cable hanger is a significant source of flex in a centerpull system. Routing the cable through the stem means that you need to readjust the front brake if you change stem height, but it virtually eliminates hanger flex and actually improves front brake performance. I have never seen a drilled stem break, so I say go for it, as long as you are pretty sure that you will not want to change out the stem later. Of course, a clamp-on hanger is going to permanently mark the stem and reduce its reuse value, though probably not as much as drilling would.
Steve Barner, Bolton. Vermont
> Date: Sat, 28 Jun 2003 23:58:43 +0000
> From: "Thomas R. Adams, Jr." <kctommy@msn.com>
> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Subject: [CR]Field Expedient Front Center Pull Cable Stop
> Message-ID: <BAY4-F2506IBPGJTE4D0000f677@hotmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain
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> Message: 11
>
> For various reasons, I want to use a set of center pull brakes (Mafac
Racers) on a frame that has a Campy NR headset installed and no room for a
normal Centerpull housing stop in the headset.
--Snip
> What options are there for obtaining a hanger on this bike? Can I put the
hanger on top of the lock nut, and attach it to the nut? Could you remove
it later?
>
> Can I grind down one of the headset components to make the room? (least
favored option as it degrades the condition of the headset).
>
> Or should I drill a cable route/stop through the stem? The stem is a
Nitto Technomics with a 9cm extension. Would a drilled Nitto stem be safe?
How big do you make the top and bottom holes? How far out on the extension
do you drill?
>
> Tom Adams, Shrewsbury NJ