Hendley

Trying to build up a new Bianchi Infinito, my first experience with internal cable routing.

Everything is fairly intuitive except for the rear brake cable.

There is a rectangular hole at the rear of the top tube. An aluminum insert slots into this hole (something like the Cervelo cable stop.)

The cable threads through a small hole in this insert and the housing slots into a groove on the outside.

All fairly simple and obvious, except there is nothing to hold this insert in place. I wrote to the retailer who told me that the cable tension, once the cable is hooked up, should hold it in, but this is not the case. It does the opposite, and pulls the insert out (see pic).

Basically, I see no way that this insert is going to stay in place without glue of some kind. But that would make it harder to thread new cable down the line.

Does anyone have any experience with building the Infinito specifically or similar designs on other bikes?

I'm following up with the retailer (ordered online) and my LBS, who was equally puzzled, but am hoping the BF braintrust has some experience with this...

Many thanks in advance!

Hendley

Well, just for the sake of future searchers turning this thread up, I figure I'll keep it going even if it's a one-person exchange...

So far, I've asked the retailer about this and had two replies on a Bianchi specific forum.

The retailer said it would stay in under brake cable tension, which is not the case. Two follow-up mails from me have remained unanswered.

One Bianchi forum reply said there was an additional aluminum insert bonded in the frame and a screw, but I think that person may be thinking of the shifter cable stop down under the BB.

The other Bianchi forum reply used Shoe Goo to secure the insert in place. This is my favorite solution so far, as Shoe Goo is essentially a fancy form of duct tape, and we know that always works.

My own solution had been to super glue the insert in, and cross the "threading new cable" bridge when I came to it.

However, Shoe Goo is now the leading candidate. Still waiting for word from my LBS, who is contacting the Japanese Bianchi people to find an answer.

Hendley

Update: Well, we've more or less established that some frames come with an additional insert bonded into the top tube, into which the cable stop insert screws, and some didn't--manufacturing error?

Still waiting to hear from Bianchi...

prspect06

I read your monologue about your dilemma with the rear brake line bracket not being flush with the frame. What conclusion/resolution did you come up with?

I'm thinking about replacing my ultegra with sram red soon. What method did you use to thread the derailleur cables?

oldbobcat

On the Infinitos I've worked on, the cable stop/cap is held in place very well by tension on the brake cable. If there's another style of cap, I haven't seen it yet. If tension isn't holding your cap in place, check for friction and threading mistakes in the cable housings.

For derailleur cables, remove the cap and guides at the bottom of the down tube. Push the cables past the opening, grab and pull through the opening using a hook-like tool (like an old spoke with the head removed). Continue threading and replace cap. I don't have the bike in front of me so I can't be more specific, but you'll get it as soon as the cap is off.

ultraman6970

It should work by tension, what i would do is to just cut a new piece of cable housing but do not use any metal tip over it, just stick it into the rubber seal thingy.

The other thing i can see in the picture is that the cable housing does a weird curve that is actually pulling the rubber off its place, did you bend the housing that way to make it look better or something?, the metallic tip thing (cant remember the name in english of it right now) is not helping that much either because looks too thick.

Good luck.

cyclist2000

Yes the housing looks a little twisty. try shortening the that piece of housing to make a nice smooth curve.