How do I route the cables correctly?

January 11, 2021 14:33

Brompton bicycles have a unique folding design which makes it essential that the brake cables and gear cables follow the right route from the handlebar to their points of connection at the rear of the bike. If they aren’t routed correctly, you won’t be able to fold the bike up fully, and the connections may get ‘pulled’ or ‘snagged’ which will affect the safe operation of the gears and brakes.

The video below shows the correct routing.

The cables from the right side of the handlebar pass in front of the handlebar stem before they route back to the right-hand side of the mainframe and are then gathered, together with the right-hand cables, by a black ring, called the cable gatherer. They then pass between the chain wheel and the frame before connecting to their relevant gear mechanisms.

The cables from the left-hand side of the handlebar stay to the left of the handlebar stem and are gathered, together with the right-hand cables, by the cable gatherer. The cables route to the right-hand side of the mainframe and pass between the chain wheel and the frame as with the cables from the right of the handlebar.

The cable from the front brake will always first head towards the ground, it will then meet the other cables at the cable gatherer before passing under the frame, through the brazed-on metal loop before connecting to the brake caliper.

Bicycle laws within the UK, Japan, and certain other countries state that the right-hand lever operates the front brake. Bicycle laws within most European countries, as well as the USA and Korea, is that the left-hand lever operates the front brake.

This means that different brake cable lengths apply, according to which market Brompton manufactured the bicycle for. The route of the cables, as described above remains the same, though.

How to source the correct cables from the Brompton parts list:

Brake cables for bicycles on which the left brake lever operates the front brake have the word ‘reverse’ in the product’s description. These cables are different lengths to the ‘non-reverse’ cables so it’s important to source the correct cable. Make sure to get the correct cable for the model of bike you have.

Gear cables also come in different lengths, depending on which model your bicycle is. e.g M-type bikes with the classic Brompton handlebar shape need different cables from S-Types, which have flat handlebars. The Type will always appear in the product’s description.