Internal cable routing can get in the sea

[Rhythm Thief]

Someone donated a rather nice Specialized Ruby to Enviroability yesterday. I'm just in the middle of what ought to be a two minute job, which is fitting a new rear brake cable. But can I find the back end of the cable inside the top tube? Er, no. What a massive arse ache for no particular reason.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

It's in there somewhere!

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Now sorted. Maybe venting on here does help after all.

 

[Ian H]

My old Lemond TT bike had internal frame cables, though not like the current fashion for cramming them through the stem. I'm sure it gave me several micro-seconds improvement... possibly.

 

[Punkawallah]

Now sorted. Maybe venting on here does help after all.

I suspect it’s the modern equivalent of sacrificing to the Elder Gods :-)

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

If you can get hold of some old cable guides it does make it a lot easier. Or a magnet usually does the trick to pick up the cable.

 

[cyberknight]

My alloy boardman has an internal rear brake cable going through the frame with no outer , just end stops either end which made it a right PITA when i had the frame resprayed as i had to use some sewing cotton thread and vacuum cleaner which i then glued the cable inner to and pulled it through the frame .

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Since posting this thread, I've bought the proper Park Tool kit to install internal cables, simply because we've been given a Giant CX bike with internally routed cables (which I remain convinced are an unnecessary pain in the arse whose advantages are significantly outweighed by disadvantages, but never mind that). The Park Tool kit is great, but I'm still having issues because the exit and entry point for the cable is double thickness aluminium, and while the magnet will just about pick up the installation cable in the frame tube, it's not quite strong enough to grab it at the exit point. Anyone got any ideas?

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Done! As is often the way, taking a couple of minutes off to post on here have me a chance to think about it and find a solution.

 

[ColinJ]

Done! As is often the way, taking a couple of minutes off to post on here have me a chance to think about it and find a solution.

What was the solution?

I can't see me buying a bike with internal cable routing unless something happens to one of my current bikes, or I come into money, but you never know.

 

[fritz katzenjammer]

I’ve built a good number of high end road bikes. Everything is internal with stuff running through the handlebars and stem.

But nothing… nothing! Is more of a pain in the backside than a time trial bike!

everything is internal, often duplicated and has to be altered or even replaced if you want to adjust the cockpit at all. It’s all so stupid.

makes me angry just sitting here with my morning coffee.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

What was the solution?

I can't see me buying a bike with internal cable routing unless something happens to one of my current bikes, or I come into money, but you never know.

The kit comes with a big magnet for pulling the installation guides through the frame, but it wouldn't fit into the cable end stop. I realized I could use the smaller magnet on the end of another cable guide. It was still a bit fiddly, but it worked. I'd recommend the Park Tool kit: it's not cheap, but it is good quality.

 

[T4tomo]

What was the solution?

I can't see me buying a bike with internal cable routing unless something happens to one of my current bikes, or I come into money, but you never know.

My Bianchi rear brake cable is similar to post #2 pic, I just pick it up with tweezers... it is however very important to replace the tweezers before the OH spots they are missing.....

 

[matticus]

I’ve built a good number of high end road bikes. Everything is internal with stuff running through the handlebars and stem.

But nothing… nothing! Is more of a pain in the backside than a time trial bike!

everything is internal, often duplicated and has to be altered or even replaced if you want to adjust the cockpit at all. It’s all so stupid.

makes me angry just sitting here with my morning coffee.

yebbut if you knock 7 seconds off your PB .... priceless!

 

[Ming the Merciless]

What a crock of shoot