[CR]Re: ribbed cable housing

(Example: Bike Shops:R.E.W. Reynolds)

From: Donald Gillies <gillies@cs.ubc.ca>
Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2005 17:50:24 -0800 (PST)
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]Re: ribbed cable housing

I have a lot of used ribbed housing from some old raleighs that I am restoring. First of all, the ribs gather dust like there is no tomorrow. There is no faster way to gather dirt than with ribbed housing. I'd much rather use plain white unlined NOS housing which cleans up easily with a sponge - no toothpicks required.

Secondly, my ribbed clarks housing has yellowed so it's really kind of ribbed tan housing. It also has cracked in many places.

Dia Compe makes a $10 set of brake housing and cables (performance bike) and if you're careful you can cut out the "dia compe" logo-ed areas - as long as you don't need a long stretch for the entire top tube. Since lined housing is a safety item I'd much prefer to use modern housing when doing a rideable restoration.

- Don Gillies
San Diego, CA