Cable Tension

I walked the top tube of the bike frame to reach the flat handlebars. The rubber grips were worn smooth, but the exposed brake cable had proper tension. I caught the cast-alloy brake lever with both hands and hauled my weight back. The braided steel wire pulled taut inside its black vinyl housing with a clean, dry rasp, clamping the rubber pads tight against the front wheel rim below. Releasing it snapped the lever back into place with a crisp metallic strike. Heavy cables and responsive leverage make sense. It holds firm without slippage.