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Sticky bottom bracket cable guide

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Sticky bottom bracket cable guide

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Old 11-14-13 | 01:14 AM
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From: Salt Lake City, UT, USA

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Sticky bottom bracket cable guide

After my bike was locked up on a bike rack all day, I hopped on and the first time that I needed to change chainrings (to go uphill) I pushed my bar-end shifter but the FD didn't shift for a second or two. I ended up getting dinner on the way home and remembered that I still had something to do at school so I circled back and being aware of this new issue, I put my bike up in one of the public bike repair stands to see what the problem was. I moved the FD with my hand by gripping it and pushing it back and forth, I couldn't detect any unusual resistance. Then I pulled on the cable immediately in front of the bottom bracket cable guide and sure enough the same behavior, it was sticking. As far as I can tell, something is causing the FD cable to bind-up in the BB cable guide. Looking more closely, I could see that were were little plastic shavings in the immediate area consistent with the material that the BB cable guide is made of. I have die-pulled stainless cables throughout so apart from Teflon coated cables, I don't know of anything that offers less friction. The bike is only one year old and has been ridden something like 1500 miles. I have never heard of this issue before and don't know what to do apart from just replacing the guide. I know it's a cheap part, but I don't want to deal with re-running FD and RD cables if I don't have to. Please advise.
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Old 11-14-13 | 05:59 AM
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From: Roswell, GA

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Perhaps a little grease applied where the cable runs through the guide will help. You might also check to be sure that there is not any grit embedded in the plastic.
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Old 11-14-13 | 07:44 AM
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From: Ocala, Florida

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Don't use grease as it will attract dirt, causing more problems. Use dry chain lube or silicone spray. I suspect you have more of a problem than just the cable guide, check it out closely, the guides generally last a long time.
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