derailleur cable stops - how are you supposed to use these?

[Colinmclelland]

Got these on my wife's bike.

cable stop.jpg

They are too small to take a cable with a ferule. They just seem less useful than a flat surface would. So clearly i'm just missing something. What is that thing?

Pirated the image from the Sachs gallery thread, so I'm pretty sure it's not them it's me...

[RichTheRoadie]

You need the Campagnolo end cap with the end that fits into that. I'll see if I've got one - I know I've had one in the past because I had to use it on my Merckx...

[osbk67]

The item you need is referred to as a step down or stepped ferrule. A Google search for "Campagnolo step down ferrule" will illustrate the solution to your problem. Very common on racing bicycles in the 1970s and 80s.

[Colinmclelland]

Thank you both. And Rich if you do have one that would be awesome.

[RichTheRoadie]

And Rich if you do have one that would be awesome.

Definitely had one in the past. Definitely don’t have one now - sorry bud.

[Mark Kelly]

Colin: I've probably got one somewhere, if not I'll make one.

[Paul Jacobs]

These are often referred to as Diver's Helmet cable stops. Campagnolo cable kits usually come with the appropriate step down ferrule as a standard part of the kit.

[Paul Jacobs]

[Colinmclelland]

Definitely had one in the past. Definitely don’t have one now - sorry bud.

No worries. Thanks for checking. She's done without one for seven years or so, and at the moment her rear derailleur is kaput so there is no hurry.

Colin: I've probably got one somewhere, if not I'll make one.

You are too kind.

Thanks for the details Paul.

Question to the room. What argument did/does Campy put forward for using a stepped ferrule rather than just making the stop bigger and if it's "better" why doesn't it get used elsewhere?

[RichTheRoadie]

Question to the room. What argument did/does Campy put forward for using a stepped ferrule rather than just making the stop bigger and if it's "better" why doesn't it get used elsewhere?

I think it’s just an old design(?).

[Scott G.]

I think it’s just an old design(?).

I've a 50s Claud Butler and an 80s Ellis Briggs, both use stepped ferrules on the brakes,
a 50s Ellis Briggs uses regular ones. Consistency is the hobgoblin of small builders.

[Paul Jacobs]

No worries. Thanks for checking. She's done without one for seven years or so, and at the moment her rear derailleur is kaput so there is no hurry.



You are too kind.

Thanks for the details Paul.

Question to the room. What argument did/does Campy put forward for using a stepped ferrule rather than just making the stop bigger and if it's "better" why doesn't it get used elsewhere?

I don't think Campagnolo are promoting the stepped ferrule. The cable kit contains stepped and non-stepped gear ferrules so you can choose the one that goes with your bike. I am sorry if I did not make this clear before. The reason I had a stepped ferrule to measure is because I did not need it, having used the other one. I will gladly send it to you but you had already received prior offers.

[j44ke]

Bring back the elegance (TM).

[Scott G.]

!950s Ellis Briggs, stepped ferrule.

[Applesauce]

It’s called a “diver’s helmet.” Campagnolo makes one that comes with their cable kits, Shimano also makes an SP41 housing end for it that can be ordered separately. Not hard to get.

I feel like a broken record...try your LBS. I know this is an Internet forum, but just because you can’t easily order it from Jenson doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. I own a primarily high-end MTB shop, these have never appeared on MTBs (except maybe a Ritchey from waaaay back?) and yet I could turn up a selection of these (and with various levels of sealing).

[rwsaunders]

Same setup on my 1989 J.P. Weigle...I measured 13mm, Paul ;)

[Colinmclelland]

3rd of the "local" (we used to have a shop 30m away, now it's a car trip!) shops had one. Although only an aluminium one. Beggers can't be choosers. Will grease liberally.

[sk_tle]

What argument did/does Campy put forward for using a stepped ferrule rather than just making the stop bigger and if it's "better" why doesn't it get used elsewhere?

From my understanding this is not a campy choice but a builder's choice. It basically made the cable stop smaller and more elegant than the modern bigger ones that accept regular ferrules...Is it a good reason ? I don't know but as a former campy rider I never struggled to find a stepped down ferrule and have some in my bits and pieces box.

[Tristan]

My experience with this type is that the ferrule rarely sits straight and instead will wiggle as cable tension is changed. You can see this on the photos posted above. The result on modern indexed drivetrains is a reduction in shift performance.They've been replaced by cable stops that hold and support the ferrule better.

They look pretty but shouldn't be fitted to a modern bike.

[j44ke]

The snouted ferrule stops on bikes I've had appeared to be brazed in line with the path of the cable, not the center line of the chain stay. So the angle was actually pretty good for modern cable shifting imho. The stiffness of the housing "macaroni" and smoothness of its arc attached to the rear derailleur seems to make a greater difference I think. I always thought if that braze-on for the snouted ferrules pivoted, that would be a great design.

On the other hand, slotted stops often seem attached in line with the chain stay rather than in line with the cable's route. As such there is often a kink or twist in the cable housing within that first inch after the slotted stop where the housing goes through a kind of compound curve to get around the chain stay and behind the arc around into the rear of the derailleur.

But this may be more an issue of difference between a well-made bike and a standard production frame rather than one cable stop versus the other functionally. And Campagnolo still makes the best snouted/stepped down/diver's helmet ferrule. Stock up!