Internal cabling issues

[midliferider]

I have a specialized sirrus elite hybrid bike. Its derailleur cables are internal. I tried to replace front derailleur cable. At the entry point in to the frame, there was a cable sheath but during movements, this sheath went inside. Now I can not pass the cable. It coils inside.
Interestingly, I an able to pass a brake cable which is slightly thicker and appear stiffer. Therefore the route is not blocked. I tried to pass the gear cable while the brake cable is still routed internally. Gear cable goes halfway and then coils up.
Any suggestions? Any experience in using a magnet to guide the cable?
Use cable ties on the frame and use external cable with full house? Would it work?
Failing all, use the bike without the front derailleur?

 

[Cycleops]

Here are a few hacks which may help:

View: https://youtu.be/P7BVApNbLf8

 

[cyberknight]

i had good luck vacumning a cotton thread through the frame and glueing the cable to the thread

 

[biggs682]

Can you not join them together with tape ?

 

[biggs682]

Or why not remove liner and then re insert new gear cable inside liner and re fit ?

 

[midliferider]

Can you not join them together with tape ?

Since I have managed to put a brake cable, I can connect the gear cable to the end of brake cable with a cellotape and see.
I am thinking of routing a cable sheath around the brake cable and then removing the cable leaving the sheath inside. Then I have a way to keep the track always clear protect the cable.

 

[midliferider]

Or why not remove liner and then re insert new gear cable inside liner and re fit ?

Just read this. This is what I meant by cable sheath. I can buy it on eBay but will take couple of weeks for delivery.

 

[biggs682]

Sounds like a plan to me.
In the past I have often pulled out the old outer cable first then used the old inner as a guide for new outer once new outer in place fit new inner

 

[Gunk]

Since I have managed to put a brake cable, I can connect the gear cable to the end of brake cable with a cellotape and see.
I am thinking of routing a cable sheath around the brake cable and then removing the cable leaving the sheath inside. Then I have a way to keep the track always clear protect the cable.

That’s what I did on my sons Colnago build

 

[midliferider]

When I pulled the cable out, I was hoping that outer sheath will remain inside. But there was no outer sheath running the entire length inside the frame. It was just few cm at both ends.
Well, I have learnt a lesson.

 

[boydj]

Feed a cable up the wrong way, then glue or tie the new cable to this and pull it through. I had to do this when re-cabling my Focus.

 

[Fredo76]

Why, oh why is it forbidden to have cables and fasteners un-hidden? I like bikes (and motorcycles) that you can see how they are put together, and that are easy to work on. The list of things that I don't want on a new bike is getting longer...

 

[midliferider]

Why, oh why is it forbidden to have cables and fasteners un-hidden? I like bikes (and motorcycles) that you can see how they are put together, and that are easy to work on. The list of things that I don't want on a new bike is getting longer...

This issue probably need a new thread on it's own.
Well newest bikes apparently don't have any cables at all. They are operated electronically, blue tooth technology.
I think specialized have decided to stop production of rim brakes. It is all hydraulic.

 

[Ajax Bay]

Edit: deleted - see subsequent post.

Why, oh why is it forbidden to have cables and fasteners un-hidden? . . . The list of things that I don't want on a new bike is getting longer...

Who is "forbidding" this? Isn't this just personal choice?

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Well newest the most expensive bikes apparently don't have any cables at all

Minor edit suggested