Bicycle Mechanics - Crisscrossed Derailleur Cables

My other half had her entire drivetrain (shifters, ders., cranks, cassette) replaced on her hybrid this past summer at the LBS. Recently, while cleaning her bike I noticed that her der. cables were crossed (i.e., the left was routed along the right side of downtube and the right along the left side causing the cables to cross under the tube). Never having seen this before I advised her to take it back and have it done correctly, which she did. The LBS said that it really doesn't matter and they do it that way so the cable doesn't rub the finish on the stem column. Any feedback??? Also her left thumb is rather weak and she had and has trouble shifting to the big chainring. Any fix for that??? Thanks, guys.

The Moor

I've heard of cables being intentionally routed that way, though I don't do it myself.

As far as fixing the weak thumb problem, how about GripShift?

My concern re: the cables is that crossing them like that may cause binding, premature wear, and possible safety issues at some point. I find it quite interesting that all new bikes come with cables routed in a straight line. As far as the thumb thing, she had thumb shifters and now has grippers; and I tell you those boys are rather stiff, even for me (maybe cheap no-names) She is rather headstrong, so I usually give my opinions only when asked to; otherwise, I would've had the job done right with the right stuff from the beginning (sorry, ladies).

Originally posted by OtheloTheMoor
My concern re: the cables is that crossing them like that may cause binding, premature wear, and possible safety issues at some point. I find it quite interesting that all new bikes come with cables routed in a straight line. Experienced shop wrenches do it for the reason the other poster mentioned.There are no real issues.

New bikes do come with crossed cables. The last xc bike I had, had the cables routed like that. I dont have the bike handy....but arent they crossed because of the guide under the bb shell has to have them like that for bottom pull front derailleurs? Dont know... And as for the hard to shift into big chainring problem.....couldent that be a derailleur limit screw adjustment problem? Hopefully i'm not way wrong:D

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/cables.html#crisscross

Originally posted by bikerider
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/cables.html#crisscross

bikerider - I don't spend as much time at Sheldon's site as I'd like to, but it's often the case that someone will post a link as a quick reply and suddenly, you find an easy answer to a problem!

Sometimes, all it needs is a link.:)

Crisscrossing sounds interesting and reasonable. I may try it on my bike with under bottom bracket routing. On the other hand, I have always liked the elegant looping design STI shift cables make. Decisions, decisions!

Like Bokkie, I don't spend as much time at Sheldon's site as I should, although I have spent considerable time there in the past. Hossanas to Bikerider for the heads up; and anothier genuflection to that unequaled guru, Sheldon. Now being, as sheldon states, crossing them is more logical, efficient and finish-saving, why oh why don't all manufacturers and LBS's follow suit? Probably the old axiom, "It's always been done that way", doth prevail again. Anyhoo, thank you guys for your insight. I learned something.

Originally posted by OtheloTheMoor
...Now being, as sheldon states, crossing them is more logical, efficient and finish-saving, why oh why don't all manufacturers and LBS's follow suit?

I have bar-end levers and have enclosed the cables alongside the bars in an aero fashion like the brake cables. On that bike, it's much better not to criss-cross the cables. Why?

1. It's a 25" frame, with approximately the stem raised by about 100 mm. The cable has long enough to reach the same side of the downtube in a graceful curve.

2. I have an under-the-tube water cage. Criss-cross cables drag on the bottle cage.

Regards,

I've criss crossed and gone straight on various different bikes. The decision for me is where the cable stops are on the downtube. If they're mounted closer to the centerline of the tube (tucked further inward) I criss cross. The natural bend of the housing prevents unwanted rubbing of the top-tube.

If they stops are welded more toward the outside edge of the tube, you can get away with straight running w/o concern with rubbing!

L8R