New use for dental floss
06-10-10, 06:39 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
New use for dental floss
I am currently living and working in Rabat Morocco but was back in the states for a few days about a week ago. I took the opportunity to buy a MT Bike while I was there.
Unfortunately the airline (lufthansa) must have crushed the box because there is some paint missing on the down tube in two spots about the size of a dime each and the front shift housing was split apart straight down.
I am not too worried about the paint although it is a real bummer but the frame is aluminum so I dont have to worry about rust. The cable housing was another matter...
...I was able to make a temp repair by using waxed dental floss. I wound a long length tightly around the housing going past the ends of the split. This pulled the wires that make up the compressionless housing back into place and shored up the plastic around the wires. I made a loop at the beginning to draw the free end under the wraps of floss to finish it off nice and tightly. The wax on the floss kept it all from slipping and loosening up while working.
It works and the bike shifts again...for now.
Hopefully it will hold up until I can get some more housing. I don't think there is much in the way of bike shops in the Rabat area.
-j
Unfortunately the airline (lufthansa) must have crushed the box because there is some paint missing on the down tube in two spots about the size of a dime each and the front shift housing was split apart straight down.
I am not too worried about the paint although it is a real bummer but the frame is aluminum so I dont have to worry about rust. The cable housing was another matter...
...I was able to make a temp repair by using waxed dental floss. I wound a long length tightly around the housing going past the ends of the split. This pulled the wires that make up the compressionless housing back into place and shored up the plastic around the wires. I made a loop at the beginning to draw the free end under the wraps of floss to finish it off nice and tightly. The wax on the floss kept it all from slipping and loosening up while working.
It works and the bike shifts again...for now.
Hopefully it will hold up until I can get some more housing. I don't think there is much in the way of bike shops in the Rabat area.
-j
06-10-10, 07:59 PM
#2
Senior Member
Creative fix. For a little more assurance, wrap some tape around the dental floss. It will likely hold for quite a while.
If you just need a short length of shift housing, let me know. I don't think it would cost too much to mail a short section to you, and likely far less than a bike shop in the US would charge especially if they have to ship UPS.
If you just need a short length of shift housing, let me know. I don't think it would cost too much to mail a short section to you, and likely far less than a bike shop in the US would charge especially if they have to ship UPS.
