Re: [CR] Mafac 2000 brake (transverse) cables

(Example: Racing:Wayne Stetina)

In-Reply-To: <mailman.2045.1256678468.72377.classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References:
Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:25:35 -0700
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
From: "Peter Adler" <adlerpe@mac.com>
Subject: Re: [CR] Mafac 2000 brake (transverse) cables


I recently made an interesting discovery on this point. I have been improvising straddle cables for Mafac Racers out of standard stainless mountain brake cables, with the big round cable ends. As the Racer has a pinch bolt at one end of the straddle cable, and a second fitting that holds the other end of the straddle cable in a notch on the caliper arm (I can't find a Mafac catalog online, so I don't know what the official name is). There is an inset in that second fitting to hold a soldered cable end, but it's smaller than the standard ends on the derailleur cables I had around the house. The large drum of a mountain brake cable end sits firmly on the fitting, and the cable is thincker than the standard straddle cable; so it's functional, even if it's not pretty.

However...

In the course of installing Suntour barcons, I had to get a longer derailleur cable for the rear mech. My LBS sold me the standard Jagwire 3100mm(?) tandem cable, which is double-ended. I discovered that the cable ends on that cable are not the same size; the larger one is a standard derailleur end, and the smaller one (hey presto!)...fits the Mafac Racer/RAID straddle cable fitting exactly.

So, if you're setting up barcons and you're using common modern cable, you might want to hang onto the cable ends you cut off.

At 1:21 PM -0800 10/27/09, classicrendezvous-request@bikelist.org wrote:
>Message: 5
>Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:05:33 -0700
>From: Jerome & Elizabeth Moos <jerrymoos@sbcglobal.net>
>Subject: Re: [CR] Mafac 2000 brake (transverse) cables
>To: Rendezvous Classic <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>,??? Phil Brown
>??? <philcycles@sbcglobal.net>
>Message-ID: <987340.71298.qm@web82203.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
>Of course the BEST Mafac straddle cable design is the old
>Racer/Dural Forge.? It uses a standard derailleur cable, except much
>shorter.? You never even have to buy them.? Just save those old
>derailleur cables that have unraveled at the end, cut off the excess
>length, and voila, you have a Mafac replacement straddle cable.? Did
>MAFAC ever actually sell replacement Racer straddle cables?? That
>would seem totally unnecessary.
>
>Regards,
>
>Jerry Moos
>Big Spring, Texas, USA

--
Peter Adler
Macintosh, network consultant
cell: (510) 316-9955
<adlerpe@mac.com>