[spepic]

I have a 2007 Orbea Ora with the rear brake cables going through the top tube. The bike has profile brake levers on the cow horns (aero bars). But ever since getting the bike, the rear brakes have been weak and you can hear a rubbing noise insode the frame along the internal cable guides in the frame.

Obviously I have replaced the cables about three times. I have trimmed the cable housing here and there, added a brass ferule where the cable goes into the brake levers. Upgraded to ultegra (from orbea brand) and added cool stop salmon pads. Sprayed the inside of the cable guides going through the frame with silicone and applied a generous amount of phil woods bearing grease on the internal cable guide that goes through the frame.

Problem is the brakes still seem stretchy/squishy/much weaker than the front brakes. After doing all the above I can finally feel the brakes snap back after I squeeze the lever, its better. But still way weaker than the front, the bike stops, but the delay/weakness/cable stretch is nerve racking for someone who takes very good care of my bikes.

Any ideas?

Is this as good as these brakes get?

There is still the sound of rubbing from inside the cable guides in the frame. Any suggestions on getting that lubricated inside the guides in the frame?

The rear braking is taking the fun out of a great bike :-(.

 

[nzxt]

I can tell you what's wrong with that Orbea Ora frame and the rear brakes. I have the same frame, and the same problem just popped up out of nowhere, and the second bike shop i took it to, found the issue. The internal Cable Stops, inside the frame, have collapsed. This causes the brakes lines/housings and ferrules, to slide inside the frame when trying to stop using the rear brake caliper. It causes flex and poor braking, and a "squishy" brake feel. It was hard to find this as the cause, and we did everything you did, in the troubleshooting process. it's now causing the bike to not stop safely, at high speeds.

I contacted Orbea's Distributor about a warranty claim on this manufacturing defect in the frame. I am waiting to hear back from them. His name is Olly Piggin at Podium Imports in Canada.

 

[spepic]

Thanks for response to the very old post. The solutions my bike shop and Orbea came up with were....

1.) Using derailluer cable housing run through the frame, not a great thing to do, but has worked fine as long as you check the cable once in a while and replace every few years

2.) Drill the frame to accept brake cable housing

There may be other solutions now, but I did #1 and it has been fine with the derailluer cable housing, much better braking than with just the cable stop fittings, that was much more dangerous