xanadu

I got a 2008 Tarmac Elite for $1575 on Sunday and have been very happy with it. Tonight I noticed that the cables are crossed under the downtube. Searched this forum and found out that this is recommended or at least ok so no issue here.
The problem I have is with the way the cable is connected to the FD. It is literally rubbing the frame between BB and rear wheel as can be seen in the pics. This does not seem right, right? Shouldn't it run thru the small holes in the frame?
I am leaving the town tomorrow for about a week and won’t have time to take it to the LBS, but will defenetelly give them a call.
Can you please comment on this? Should I release the cable from the FD? Was any damage to the frame possible (none visible). I road it for about 100 miles incl. the test ride.

Thanks for all comments.

BigSean

Yes it is supposed to go through the hole in the bb.

xanadu

Thanks for the response. What irresponsible and ignorrant person you have to be to suck so bad at your job, simple tasks you perform daily. I could run it through the holes myself but want to show them what kind of work they do. I'll have to take couple hours of work, drive to LBS approx 30 miles and adjust my travel plans. I'll make sure to let them know how pissed I am.
For people in Chicago it was Kozy's Cyclery on Milwaukee.

ilvwhtgrls

I would highly recommend taking it back and having them redo it. I would also ask for a voucher of some sort for your time and troubles.

mrbubbles

Bike builders aren't mechanics, you just have be somewhat competent enough with tools and you can do it. This isn't an honest mistake, this is definitely done by someone who doesn't know WTF they are doing.

ridethecliche

If they did that they should have atleast put some cable housing where the cables contact the frame if they were going to route it wrong.

mrbubbles

Bad idea, cable housing will allow sand and dirt to scratch the hell out of that carbon finish, especially in the bottom bracket area, and you never use cable housing for FDs beyond the connecting points near the headtube, almost nobody on the market uses full FD cable housings, there's no point to it (downhill and special geometry frame exempted). That's the reason why you put clear tape/stickers in between areas where cable housing and frame touches.

grinderbob

your LBS mechanic should have paid more attention. Has the cable scar your frame in the bottom?
He would end up needing at least 1 new derailleur cable and with some luck, he would be able to thread through all the cable housings without touching anything.

roadiejorge 

Geez Louise!

cyccommute 

Although there are 2 holes in the bottom bracket from underneath, there doesn't appear to be a hole on the top side of the bottom bracket...at least I can't tell from the third picture. Even if the hole goes through, it's a pretty sever bend and looks like the cable would bind.

Additionally, there are 2 holes there. If one is a cable guide, what's the other one for? You only need one cable going to the front derailer. Without a better picture, I'd just put this down as a bad design by Specialized and not a bike shop problem.

umd

It's funny that you should mention this today...

https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/477031-bottechia-bd-group-buy-owners-did-you-know.html#post7674747

xanadu

There is a hole on back side of the seat tube above the BB that is perfect to run the cable to RD. I loosened the cable just to see if it damaged the paint/carbon and there is a slight scratch. It really is tiny but I’ve heard a lot about carbon failures originating from very minor imperfections. I still can return the bike, but I really like it and it was last 2008 54 they had. Price was good as well.
Not sure what I will do. I'll talk to the manager and if he says I will not have an issue and sweetens the deal with some gear/ gift card I will prob. keep the bike.

Would you return it?

jmechy

I was hoping it was a parody actually...

umd

Here is my tarmac. I have Nokon cables, which are sealed over the entire run. A little dirty, but should give you an idea...

From the bottom. Note the rubber part around the hole:


From the top. More rubber around the hole:

Suzie Green

Let me know where I should mail the scrub brush.

xanadu

Thanks umd, this looks solid. dirty but solid. I will print your pics and show them to the LBS (if you don't mind) so maybe they will be able to recreate it on my bike.

umd

I actually just had it taken apart and was cleaning it, but I couldn't get some of that off, it was so caked on. I'm still working on it.

Suzie Green

Heh! My MTB is cleaner, but them I'm such a chicken in the woods anyway. I steer around puddles rather than ride through them.

umd

I don't mind... if it helps explain the dirt, tell them that the bike has 9,500 miles on it It's an '08 Tarmac SL if that makes any difference.

mkauffman

Have them give you a new one! you shifted too much and damaged the frame... I promise!

mazdaspeed

Time to learn to DIY

Crash716

Have you looked at a specialized tarmac frame??....they are not poorly designed or thought out.

The bend would sure as hell cause allot less binding than rubbing a hole in the carbon frame and i assure you there is a whole on top of the BB for the cable.


to the OP....if it has worn thru i would throw a fit....that is a structural defect now because of the shop. I know for a fact that my LBS replaced (and then fired the employee that F'd it up) a SL2 that had a BB installed wrong. If there is damage i would ask to speak to the shop manager.

umd

For bonus points, what's different about my bike from how it is usually set up?

sfrider 

That's pretty impressive actually.

sfrider 

The cables appear crossed? Reversed controls?