FD cable... over or under the BB?
#1
FD cable... over or under the BB?
I have a (best guess) 1979 Motobecan Mirage. It doesn't have any cable guides by the FD, so I was thinking of sticking one on the bottom of the BB and running the cable that way.
Should I do that, or stick to running it over the BB? What is the best way to do it that way?
Should I do that, or stick to running it over the BB? What is the best way to do it that way?
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
Nothing wrong with sticking a cable guide beneath the bottom bracket shell and routing it like a modern bike. Sheldon Brown actually mentioned routing the bare cable beneath the bottom bracket shell without a guide working fine for the FD (he also mentioned you can add a bit of cable sleeving/housing for the portion contacting the BB shell if protection is desired).
#3
Senior Member


Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 174
From: Kingwood, TX
Bikes: Road, Touring, BMX, Cruisers...
How is the rear derailleur cable run? under or over the chain stay? I would stick with that position for the BB as well.
If it is routed under it looks cleaner but I like the cable positioning and length better when it is run on top.
If it is routed under it looks cleaner but I like the cable positioning and length better when it is run on top.
__________________
1984 Cannondale ST
1985 Cannondale SR300
1980 Gary Littlejohn Cruiser
1984 Trek 760
1981 Trek 710
Pics
1984 Cannondale ST
1985 Cannondale SR300
1980 Gary Littlejohn Cruiser
1984 Trek 760
1981 Trek 710
Pics
#4
Banned
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
the plastic under the bottom bracket is easy to install,
just have to drill a hole in the BB shell for the screw.
You may want a drain hole in the BB shell also , let out condensation in the frame.
There were clamp on over the BB guides back in the day, but that is a real challenge to find , know of a bike shop that has been in business since the 40's?
just have to drill a hole in the BB shell for the screw.
You may want a drain hole in the BB shell also , let out condensation in the frame.
There were clamp on over the BB guides back in the day, but that is a real challenge to find , know of a bike shop that has been in business since the 40's?
Last edited by fietsbob; 08-23-10 at 03:01 PM.
#5
Extra Medium Member

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,880
Likes: 26
From: Erie, Co
Bikes: Fezzari Empire; State 6061 Allroad gravel; Scott Spark; Specialized Status 140
This is what I would use to make that decision. If the chainstay braze-on is on top, run it above....on bottom, run it below.
__________________
Droping the hamer since '86
Droping the hamer since '86
#6
thanks for all the advice. RD cable runs over the BB and the braze-on is on top of the chainstay, so i'm gonna run it over the top. i was just worried that was the wrong way, since other stuff on the bike had been set up wrong. but seems like thats a fine way to do it, so i'm gonna stick with that. thanks again.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
digibud
Bicycle Mechanics
9
01-13-14 03:39 AM
MitchL
Classic and Vintage Bicycles: Whats it Worth? Appraisals.
2
08-23-10 01:55 PM






