General Cycling Discussion - Installing computer on carbon

I just ordered a wireless Cateye computer with a transmitter that will sit on my chainstay and a pickup on my crank. Any tips for mounting these devices to avoid long-term damage to the carbon stay or my crank? The zip-ties just seem a bit dangerous.

Why do you say zip ties are dangerous?

I usually try to avoid any scratching of the frame by putting down a layer of electrical tape first. For the crank arm I stick the magnet on with Shoe-Goo and a zip tie. After a few days cut the zip tie off and you've got a nice clean mounting.

Zip ties are a way of life now... there's too much variation in frame/fork construction for manufacturers to deal with. I remember the old days when you'd get two plastic clamps and maybe two different sizes of rubber pads and that was all you needed.

Why do you say zip ties are dangerous?



It just seems like zip ties will scratch up the finish on the carbon or the crank. I like the idea of Shoe-goo. What is this stuff, and it is it removable in the future? I plan on having this equipment for a long time, and computers might change over time.
I want a clean installation, but also one that won't hurt the bike permanently.

It just seems like zip ties will scratch up the finish on the carbon or the crank. I like the idea of Shoe-goo. What is this stuff, and it is it removable in the future? I plan on having this equipment for a long time, and computers might change over time.
I want a clean installation, but also one that won't hurt the bike permanently.

Shoe-goo is like silicone but stronger. It was originally designed to patch holes in running shoes, etc. but then people discovered it's a pretty good adhesive. I couldn't begin to remember how many things I've stuck with it. I've even used it as temporary electrical insulation on spliced wires :) You can now get "household" and "plumbing" versions. Any reasonable department store or hardware store will have it.

It'll peel away cleanly (stays flexible for a year or more) from metal and plastic. I don't know what the solvents will do to CF resin so I'd avoid it for the frame but for holding the magnet to the crankarm it's great.

That solves the problem on the crank arm. Anyone with a clever way to prevent the zip ties from hurting the CF stay? I was thinking that maybe a small piece of foam wrapped underneath the tie might prevent rubbing or scratching.

^^ my first post. Electrical tape.

Alternatives: the thin rubber wrap that comes with cyclocomputers, lights, etc. or a piece of innertube.