Whats the difference ?????

Question

Whats the difference between linear and non-linear bike brake cables ???

Im not talking about a price difference....and if if i were $100 is way wrong !!!

Answer 1

There is no difference between the cables. The cable simply connects the lever to the actuator. You _do_ need to make sure that the levers and brakes are compatible, but I've never seen or even heard of specific cable or housing designs for linear vs non-linear systems.

Avid makes a cam adaptor so you can use road brakes levers with "v-brake" style brakes, but it has nothing to do with the cable.

Some cable systems do work better than others, but if you replace them regularly (like you should) then you can get away with the generic QBP set. If you want zoot, and better performance, go with something like the Aztecs or even the Gore Ride-on cables (quote - manager at a local bike shop talking about the Gore cables - "at this price, these cables should do the shifting for you").

Brake set up isn't for novices, take it to someone with vast experience and a good reputation to teach you.

Answer 2

Linear pull has a cable that directly pulls across both arms of the brake.

http://www.bikesomewhere.com/images/big/lxVBrake.jpg

Non-Linear pull is a brake that has a cam or the cable split out to the arms, it has about 50% less power than the Linear pull of late.

http://www.bikemannetwork.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/BR/BR4856.jpg

Canti's are still used for some applications, like cyclocross because you need clearence and not a powerfull brake at all because of the conditions.

There are MANY non-linear pull brakes out there and because of application, don't really need to be brought up to par with V-Brakes. U-Brakes on BMX bikes, for example.

Answer 3

About $100.

Answer 4

Linear pull brakes are brakes that are designed to function like Shimano V brakes. They can't use the term "V" brakes since it is a trademark. There are cable housings that work best with these brakes.