Best explanation I've found: https://engineering.stackexchange.com/questions/16603/how-does-a-single-pivot-side-pull-caliper-bicycle-brake-work https://enginee

Best explanation I've found: https://engineering.stackexchange.com/questions/16603/how-does-a-single-pivot-side-pull-caliper-bicycle-brake-work https://engineering.stackexchange.com/questions/16603/how-do... I'm surprised it works but it is a testimony to the high quality of modern manufacturing and design that you can transfer force "around corners" thru a wire inside a tube (likely made of a wire-plastic composite). A bicycle cable is a form of Bowden cable: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowden_cable https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowden_cable