Bicycle Mechanics - Cheap Cable-Rub Remedies? Recommendations

I have a 1994 Cannondale Killer V900 that I am trying to re-rig as a tourer/short excursion bike. I have always had problems with cable-rub on the fork crown/head tube interface (both sides of fork crown). I really do not want to spend $8.00 for a couple of patches, which is what an unnamed bicycle equipment store sell the Lizard Skin patches for. I have duct tape on it now, but it looks real ghetto. Ideally, I'll like suggestions as to something transparent that I can buy at Home Depot, that can do the job of coming between my cables and my frame at the head tube/fork crown junction. Kinda like transparent PVC patches with adhesive.

Thanks for all suggestions.

Regards,

you could use the loop side of the round or square patches of self-adhesive Velcro they sell at hardware and office supply stores. Black or white, your choice.

I have duct tape on it now, but it looks real ghetto.

They actually make clear duct tape now.

Try clear packing tape.

i'd recommend transparent PVC patches with adhesive.

also, in trying to save something like $8 on a product custom made for the purpose, a ghetto appearance is a common side effect.

You could try asking at another LBS if you could have a couple extra clear patches. Those little clear PVC adhesive squares come on a sheet of 8 or 10 with boxed road bikes, and the mechanics usually never use all of them on a single bike. I traded a chocolate chip cookie for some...

Park's "glueless" patches are very good for this. They are slightly amber in color so will show on a white paint job but aren't at all noticable on anything darker.

They actually make clear duct tape now.

Fantastic! The grey duct tape I have on right now actually works great, but I could never get used to the "ghetto" look.

I am off to Home Depot tomorrow to look for transparent duct tape. My bike is blue in color, and a little rectangular cut of transparent duct tape would solve my problems, while still making the bike look decent.

Thanks for the info.

Oh, by the way, thanks to all who responded.

Regards,

Fantastic! The grey duct tape I have on right now actually works great, but I could never get used to the "ghetto" look.

I am off to Home Depot tomorrow to look for transparent duct tape. My bike is blue in color, and a little rectangular cut of transparent duct tape would solve my problems, while still making the bike look decent.


Seems like Home Depot would have it, but if they don't, don't think I'm making it up :D

http://www.3m.com/brands/scotch/transducttape/

The best material that I have found for this application is a heavy transparent sticky-back sheet material which has a white paper peel-off liner on the back, very similar to clear contact paper, but I think it's like 10 or 15 mils thick. What I have seen this originally used for:

1) Protective sheet for the tops of snow skis. Find it at a ski shop.

2) Masking for sandblasting/etching glass. Try a stained glass shop.

XMart, Autozone, etc should have larger sheets they sell as car paint protector. I think the stuff is removeable/static cling.