schnee

I have a Stumpjumper that originally came with caliper brakes. (Picture here.) The mounts for the cable across the upper tube are designed for an open brake cable; it was strung like a guitar string from the two mounts.

I just got Avid BB7 disc brakes, and on the advice of my LBS and a few other riders, I ran the housing for the rear brake fully-closed along the length of the tube. Now, because of that change, the cable needs support along the mid-length of the tube; there's nothing on the frame right now to support it. The LBS mechanic put three zip-ties to hold the cable in place, but that's a bit of an ugly hack to me. It works, but I'd rather have something a bit more 'permanent' looking.

Has anyone else done this before to a bike that wasn't 'baked' for a full cable housing? What did you do? Any other suggestions? My question is really aesthetic; I want a better-looking way to hold the cable on.

I've contemplated getting some handlebar grip tape and wrapping a length of it near the center of the tube. I also thought the right tape might look pretty cool wrapping the entire length of the upper tube, especially if I used one of those interesting double-weave patterns I see on some road bikes, but I don't know where I could get handlebar tape that long.

Any suggestions?

LowCel 

I just use zip ties on my bikes, works fine. If you want to go the "pretty" route then try these. They are problem solver bolt-on cable guides.

LowCel 

You could also try the stick on version. They don't seem to work all that great though so use at your own risk. They have a tendency to fall off.

never

I modified my Rockhopper to use the existing guides on the top tube. Just drilled out the reduced opening of the casting that was used as a "stop" for the original housing/cable. Then drilled a small hole at the bottom edge of the mount, one on each side, just above the top tube. This small hole allows me to use a zip tie to hold the cable in the stock guide.

schnee

I'm using the existing guides, and they're perfectly fine. However, at the middle of the tube, the weight of the cable is too much, and it sags. It needs something to hold it there. Zip ties work, but... I'm picky about looks.

never

But the zip ties through the cable guides maintain tension on the cable eliminating the need for any support in the middle of the top tube. And I used the small zip ties so you can barely even notice them with the black housing (it basically just secures the cable within the guide, doesn't wrap around the top tube).

mx_599

ACE hardware has some cool velcro tape that is reuseable and cheap. it is soft and won't hurt the bike. you cut it to as long as you need and it sticks to itself. you can overlap it slightly too so that the cable is held against two layers of velcro tape and not actually touching the frame

OneTinSloth

the guy who owned my ibis before me did that so he could run the hose for the magura rim brakes through it. the brake hose doesn't even fit through it!! i curse him for it every time i ride the damn thing, because now, if i want to change to V-brakes instead of the maguras, i have to run full housing. it just doesn't look nearly as clean, increases friction, and if dirt gets in, i'd have to replace one long section, rather than two short sections, which is (only slightly) more expensive. but at the heart of my problem lies the issue of needlessly destroying something...it's like the fixie kids and their obsession with dremeling cable guides and derailleur hangers off of classic, nice as hell frames. if my cable guide wasn't drilled out, the frame would be perfect, but because some dumbass couldn't live with zip tying the hydraulic hoses to the top tube, it's not.

schnee

I didn't look closely enough at these. They look great. Doesn't look like they provide any tensioning, though, so they will be better than what I have but not perfect.

The problem is the Stumpjumper tube isn't straight on the top - it's a bit concave - so the cable is strung out in the open near the middle of the tube, about 1/4" clearance. Without the ability to tension the cable, it'll have a lot of slack to flop around.

blue_neon

Yeh its a pain trying to tie down those cables. What LowCel posted above would problaby do the job although I wouldn't say they would be as secure as ZipTies, can't you get any that match the colour of your frame ?

never

Destroying? How about modifying to work for your given application. Why would someone care about the next potential owner of the bike?

And I'd say full housing looks cleaner for any brake system, and there is less chance for dirt to get in. And the price difference between two short sections of housing versus one long section? Come on!

GeorgeBaby

Once upon a time, we all used cable clips (back when brazeons were rare). Check https://www.loosescrews.com/index.cgi...d=923501232445 for a bunch of options

OneTinSloth

that's my problem with it. it didn't work for his application, and now it won't work at all. so yes, destroyed is the right word. my guess is, he didn't check to make sure it would fit before he drilled it out.

ghettocruiser

Destroyed? As this talk has me second-guessing taking a hacksaw to my brake bosses to save 10g...

schnee

These don't. I have three relatively large zip ties going the full width around my top frame... one in the middle, and one right next to each brazed-on cable guide. The cables go into the guide just loosely, but I"m wondering why there aren't any collars (like there were before) that would make the cable fit snug and tight.

If I can't get this cable 'strung' on there well, I"m looking into something else. Maybe getting the correct kinds of cable guides added to the frame... what would that cost? Where would I take the bike? Anyone in San Diego be able to do it?

My alternatives at this point are a) deal, b) handlebar tape and c) more mechanical solutions.

khuon

You could get some of these cablestop to cable guide conversions...



Combined with the stick-ons, you should be able to achieve a pretty clean setup.