Cycling UK Forum

Hi

Does anyone know where I can find a cable to fit an older style, down tube, gearshifter?

The old cable has a small, flat, circular nipple that sits inside the Huret shifter. It's much smaller an the modern ones - 5mm in diameter.

Thanks

Tcc

at one time gear cables could be had with a different nipple at each end so that you could choose accordingly. These days a single nipple type prevails. I can't remember the last time I saw the huret type.

However all is not lost; one can file a couple of flats onto a modern nipple and then it will fit a Huret lever.

It is possible that the original shape of the nipple is necessary (or at least desirable) if the nipple articulates within the lever as the lever moves, but most gear levers don't work like this, so a modified standard nipple ought to work just fine in most cases.

cheers

Thanks Brucey

Yes, my fallback is to adapt a cable with a larger nipple. It doesn't articulate so that wouldn't be an issue

Tim

I had a look around and it seems the universal cables still exist;





https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/cables/clarks-universal-fitting-gear-inner-cable-w5057/

cheers

It was a few years ago but I found the double ended type in Wilkinsons (Wilko)!

Thanks for all the suggestions. All oft these newer cables have larger nipples - just been into my local bike shop and they are able to order me one in. -.as I said the nipple is small - only 5mm diameter