Could I use a bike brake cable?

coolgangsta24 · Post by **coolgangsta24** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 9:08 pm

My front brake cable on my 1986 spree is rusted to crap. I was wondering if I could get away with a pedal bike cable. Everyone I've asked thinks its a bad idea. They all think it will snap. I've looked at bike cables in comparison and they look to be around the same thickness (no idea on the tensile strength though). I know the stock ones have that threaded end on them so I was just gonna tie it on to there somehow.

Basically I don't really wanna order any more OEM parts.

Any ideas?

Thanks In Advance!

bradthreee · Post by **bradthreee** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 9:33 pm

Brake cables run around $15 bucks. Just buy one and save yourself the headache

turtle13 · Post by **turtle13** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 10:41 pm

if it fits, it should work. but the real question is, do you want to pull up to a light thinking you are going to stop, and slam into the back side of a bus or something? it may work, but i would rather get a cable that i know will take the stress.

mr pibbs · Post by **mr pibbs** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 11:10 pm

coolgangsta24 wrote:My front brake cable on my 1986 spree is rusted to crap. I was wondering if I could get away with a pedal bike cable. Everyone I've asked thinks its a bad idea. ...Basically I don't really wanna order any more OEM parts.

I know it is tempting to go on the ultra cheap route and use a bike break cable, but don't. Yes, it could work, but you don't want to go cheap on a safety feature as such. Cut corners on cosmetics and fast food to save some money.

Also, i might have a cable i could sell you - many folks on the forum might. Ask around and you might find a deal.

elited · Post by **elited** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 12:03 am

I thought of this at one time before also, never did it tho. Just saved myself the hassle and ordered a new one from my local honda shop for about 13 dollars. Well worth it.

Kenny_McCormic · Post by **Kenny_McCormic** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 12:18 am

If you have a cheap life buy cheap brakes.

Clivester · Post by **Clivester** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 1:10 am

Kenny_McCormic wrote:If you have a cheap life buy cheap brakes.

Yeah. You could also go with a bicycle helmet instead of a proper DOT one. The're cheaper too!

If you compare the thickness of a bicycle inner cable vs the Honda version there is a big difference.

Kenny_McCormic · Post by **Kenny_McCormic** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 3:00 pm

Also consider the crashes you could cause when your cheap cable breaks.

mousewheels · Post by **mousewheels** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 9:25 pm

Having some cables and bicycles around - made some brake cable measurements.

Old Trek road bike - 0.065
Trek Mountain Bike - 0.070
Spree Front - 0.080

Doesn't look much difference in diameter, but calculating the cross-sectional area shows the Spree cable is 54% greater than road bike, 30% greater than Mountain bike.

JohnRobHolmes · Post by **JohnRobHolmes** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 11:25 pm

I would want that 30%.

coolgangsta24 · Post by **coolgangsta24** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 12:40 am

I bought an OEM cable. Thanks for giving me a good dose of common sense here. I'd feel pretty bad if anyone got hurt riding a moped that I fixed and the cable snapped.

I looked at some bike cables in comparison to the original one I took off the spree and the bike cables seemed pretty flimsy. I wouldn't recommend using them to anyone else!

Thanks everyone!

Honda Spree and Elite 50 Forums

Could I use a bike brake cable?

Could I use a bike brake cable?

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Re: Could I use a bike brake cable?

Re: Could I use a bike brake cable?

Re: Could I use a bike brake cable?

Re: Could I use a bike brake cable?

Re: Could I use a bike brake cable?

Re: Could I use a bike brake cable?

Re: Could I use a bike brake cable?

Re: Could I use a bike brake cable?

Re: Could I use a bike brake cable?