GB stems where often drilled for the front brake cable, and may have had a neat adjuster.... or maybe I'm thinking of something else?
As Eric says...should be checked for cracks, specially as having a hole go right through your handlebar stem does sound quite 'scary'
One drawback with having the cable pass through the stem is.....if you alter your stem height you have to re set your front brake......but that's not the end of the world is it!
cheers
Kevin Sayles
Bridgwater Somerset UK
There have been a number of companies that ran the brake cable through the stem and some have had failures. There are some advantages, namely the stem should be stiffer than a hanger, and the cable run is a little better. But it's mostly for cosmetics. Hopefully any on-topic stems have proved themselves worthy by now. As with any safety item, users should periodically check for cracks.
Eric Keller Boalsburg, PA
On Thu, Nov 19, 2009 at 10:33 PM, Andrew R Stewart
<onetenth@earthlink.net> wrote:
> Marcus- "Worth it" is a relative term. For me, brakes are darn near the
> top
> of the list. So I say yes.
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: <marcus.e.helman@gm.com>
> To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Sent: Thursday, November 19, 2009 9:01 PM
> Subject: [CR] wisdom of drilling the stem for brake cable?
>
>
>> I have seen a few bikes where the stem has had a hole drilled in it to
>> accommodate the front centerpull brake cable. I can see how this would
>> make for a better cable run, but is it worth it?
>>
>>
>> Best regards,
>> Marcus Helman
>> Detroit, MI
>>
>>
>>
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> Andrew R Stewart
> Rochester, NY