Infernal internal cable routing

[Gruffy]

I'm replacing the rear mech cable and am now cursing the internal routing. I made the schoolboy error of whipping the old cable out before realising I could've used it to chase the new one, so now I'm reduced to trying to thread a new cable through an empty frame.

At the moment I'm trying to tease a cotton thread through with the aid of a vacuum cleaner. I've tried both directions and have had any luck so far. I marked the thread so that I know exactly where the end will be. The vac pulls the thread nice and tight but I can't see it or coax it through.

There's a plastic piece under the bottom bracket for both mech cables to pass through. It feels like it's glued in place but I'm wondering if trying to remove that is the only way to thread new cables? Helpfully there's absolutely no support material on the canyon site.

Any advice before I attempt to prise off that plastic guide bracket?

[SixPotBelly]

Magnet?

[Herman Toothrot]

I had similar with a Vitus carbon internal routed frame I found the best way was hang the frame up with a rope from the garage joists so I could easily move it about then simply thread in the new cable and listen to where the end was scratching about at the BB and then tilt the frame accordingly letting gravity move the cable. Constantly moving the cable back and fore an inch or so it only took about 5 mins before I eventually got it thought the hole.

[Gruffy]

After all that it was quite easy. Released the front mech cable, grew a pair and prised the plastic guide off. That's definitely how it should be done.

[anonymous-user]

It may be worth getting some heli-tape to protect the underside areas of the frame that have already suffered from cable rub, I bought some from www.paragontapes.co.uk via ebay when I did my mtb.

[Gruffy]

That little grey scuff you can see is actually just an oily smudge that's catching the light. The cables are fully internal so there is no cable rub.

[anonymous-user]

Good point, well made!!

[JEA1K]

If you're unable to remove the plastic guard like on this well designed frame, then in the first instance (and as I did yesterday) use another cable as a draw cable to remove the old one and re install the new one.

If you don't follow this step and are stuck for options, tie a piece of string around the end of the cable, thread it into the frame as far as possible, then use your hoover at the opposing end to suck it out of the exit hole!!!! Trust me, this works.

[Jimbo.]

Take some left-over gear outer, open it up and remove the plastic inner lining. Thread it through the holes, run the inner through it, then remove the liner. Being a bit stiffer, it's easier to manipulate and thread through to where you want it.

[jrb43]

With the forks out, I push a cable backwards from the derailleur hole up into the head tube. From there, I can normally squeeze my fingers in to guide it back and through the downtube cable guide. Then thread outer over it and the desired cable back down.

[Kermit power]

pablo said:

It may be worth getting some heli-tape to protect the underside areas of the frame that have already suffered from cable rub, I bought some from www.paragontapes.co.uk via ebay when I did my mtb.

His might all be internally routed, but I have several bikes that aren't, so thanks for that link!

I'd always assumed that internal routing actually had some sort of internal routing. I hadn't realised it was just a hole at each end!!! If it is just a hole at each end, why aren't all frames internally routed? It can't exactly add much, if anything at all, to the cost?

[jrb43]

It's not just a hole at each end - there has to be a sort of narrowing chute to nestle the cable outer into and I imagine that's relatively difficult to mould. Also, the frame should be provided with the guide tubes in place (a practice that has clearly been eroded over recent years) which must be labour intensive.

[okgo]

Kermit power said:

His might all be internally routed, but I have several bikes that aren't, so thanks for that link!

I'd always assumed that internal routing actually had some sort of internal routing. I hadn't realised it was just a hole at each end!!! If it is just a hole at each end, why aren't all frames internally routed? It can't exactly add much, if anything at all, to the cost?

They all do have internal routing when you buy them. Just many people end up pulling it out like OP by accident. My bike has internal too and rear brake is such a st design that I run it through the frame with outer the full length as using their method he braking is crap.