Running mechanical housing on a hydraulic set up

[MTBME]

I need to run a brake housing to the rear mechanical disc brake on a frame that has the braze ons for a hydraulic disc brake set up. The braze on on the top tube allows the housing to slide right under it. Am I forced to run housing all the way from the front to the back?

I also ran my right brake lever to the front disc brake because it made for an easier more natural bend in the housing. If I hooked up the front brake to the left lever, I would have had to drop the housing down after exiting the lever in what looked like a much sharper bend. The LBS made me feel like I was breaking the 11th commandment or something. I don't see a problem with this. Do you?

[Jisch]

Plenty of people run "MX" style with the brakes. I rode with a guy from the UK once he said eveyone over there runs that way.

I have Avid Mechs on my bike and I run full housing front to back. I find I can go 3-4 months without changing cables/housing. Its a little extra weight, but worth it IMHO. There are plastic reducers you can buy to run in the hydro guides that act as cable stops if you really want to interrupt the housing. I think I have some laying around somewhere, though a part that small will be difficult to find in my nightmare "filing" system.

John

[slapheadmofo]

I ride with a Brit who runs his brakes that way too - just make sure to warn anybody that jumps on your bike for testride! :D

[ArmOnFire]

Yup, most Brits, who tend to ride motorcycles as well, set their pedal bikes up this way to keep it the same on all 2 wheeled vehicles. (The front brake is on the right side on motorcycles and MX bikes for those that haven't had experience with them).

So yeah, you must be careful when riding a Brits bike, because you may think you are grabbing the back brake, when in essence you will be flung over the bars, or a stoppie at the least.

They claim that they get screwed up when the ride OUR bikes (Front brake on the left) but I ride both motorcycles and pedal bikes and have never gotten the two confused.

~dan

[Quo Fan]

I know some ex-moto guys ride with the levers switched. I say, whatever floats your boat.