Brake line adjustment.

[cp101]

So, I am finishing up on my new build, and I'm on the cable system ( last bit ) and I can't seem to figure out whats wrong. I've never adjusted a brake cable before. But, the cable keeps slipping out of the lever near the little knob, which is apparently an adjustment knob, but I'm too tired currently to figure it out on my own.

[floatch]

That knob, attached to your lever, is called a barrel adjuster. It's used for taking up small amounts of slack in your brake cable, to give a shorter or longer pull at the lever before the brake engages. If the slots in the lever and the the barrel adjuster don't line up, the cable can't slip out, eh? Turn your barrel adjuster just a bit one way or the other!

[AgrAde]

it shouldn't slip out at all if the cable housing is in properly and there's proper tension on the cable.

[cp101]

I still can't figure out the barrel adjuster, but, I dunno how to tension the cable either. I'm pretty much a newb when it comes to repairing the bike. Wish I were rich like my friend, so I can send it into the shop all the time. He knows this much about bikes; Thinks that you can put a cassette on a front hub, has a thousand dollar koxx frame.

[felix]

This link should help you:
http://www.parktool.com/repair/index.asp

[cp101]

Thanks Felix, I figured it out. The Zebdi frame requires housing for the entire brake line. I just asked the LBS guys, had them set my derailluer for 10 bucks as well ( score ! )