cable hangers - keyed or unkeyed?

[Ted Durant]

Question for those experienced with setting up cable hangers from threaded steerers: how important is it for the steerer to have a keyway (or, for older French cycle aficionados, a flat spot at the back of the steerer) to keep the hanger properly aligned?

I'm assembling a bike with an un-keywayed steerer and a NOS Mafac cable hanger. Choices are: have a keyway cut into the steerer and modify the hanger to have a key; have a flat ground on the steerer and leave the hanger as-is; or grind out the hanger so it's round all the way 'round.

Or, go outside the box and use a different hanger, of course...

Recommendations?

[Marty]

I've used all types, and aside from the extra effort to keep the hanger straight on a steerer without a flat or slot, a non-keyed hanger/steerer seems to work just fine. Typically you end up getting a feel for how off-set to have the hanger positioned as you tighten down the the lock-nut on the headset so it rotates into alignment just as the right amount of torque is applied. You can also give it a nudge or two in either direction once everything is set with a soft mallet, but I've found that a little trial and error is sufficient in lining things up. In my experience, once it's tight, a non-keyed hanger seems to stay put. BTW - I've also had keyed hangers do some damage to threaded steerers if they do get loose and rotate out of their assigned location. I've probably filed off more keys on hangers that had them than I have used the keys.

Marty