On Sep 1, 2007, at 2:42 PM, Bianca Pratorius wrote:
> I recently restored and or built up two new slightly off topic
> bikes. One 1984/85 and one 1988. I brought them to an expert and
> owner of a local shop who loves and collects old bikes. He loved
> the workmanship, the paint job but put me down royally for my cheap
> -out in the area of brake cabling. I thought the brakes felt fine,
> mostly due to my use of Jagwire teflon brake cable and extensive
> use of beeswax to lubricate the cable. I also used a lithium based
> grease to prevent rusting and for good measure. The curmudgeon said
> that no one should be going through so much effort to perfect small
> details and then not use one of the brake wires that have been
> drawn through a die while still hot. He showed me one such wire
> and indeed it really did feel a little smoother. I use the cheap
> Pyramid stuff that all the local bike shops give me when I say I
> want some brake cable. I think I get it for a buck or two. Would
> hot drawn cable really make any difference?
>
> Garth Libre in Miami Fl. USA
Garth wrties, "Would hot drawn cable really make any difference?"
Garth, I think possibly you already answered your own question when you wrote, "He showed me one such wire and indeed it really did feel a little smoother."
ps If you're using teflon cable why would you use teflon grease instead of beeswax?
Chuck Schmidt
South Pasadena, CA USA
http://www.velo-retro.com (reprints, t-shirts & timelines)