Cables rubbing on Brompton frame.
 

I just noticed yesterday a black mark on the lower frame adjacent to the crank assembly created by the cables rubbing on the frame. I thought it might be a grease mark so I tried to wipe it off. That didn't work, so I tried some carnauba wax, but it only removed a portion of the mark. I'm hoping that over time the cables don't wear through to the wire. Should there not be a barrier or shield installed in this area? Has anyone else noticed this on their Brompton?

Edit: I forgot to mention. The three cables were twisted around each other, so I straightened them out in a proper row of three. I hope this helps. Who assembled my bike errr!



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the paint will be worn away from the frame long before the cable housing will degrade.

solution: adhesive backed vinyl or similar product with a durable facing material. cut a small piece and apply to the contact point on the frame. also, you will get cable rub on the downtube just behind the headtube. place a piece of vinyl here as well..

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...jL._SY300_.jpg

Awesome. Thank you smallwheeler!

Google Helicopter tape.
The Park Tools emergency tire boot kit has some small patches of it, which I stuck on my latest frame to stop cable rub.

right: http://www.ebay.com/itm/3M-8671HS-He...item1c37fffe13

so the 'One and Only gripe' was just a primer .. to the desire that spotless & new will last forever..

:lol:

Someone from the london Brompton Club (Orange Bromtpon) also suggested Helicopter Tape. Nice Blog. Google Orange Brompton and you should find it.

JT

That's deep.

As for protecting the frame from rubbing, Helicopter Tape works for me.

Mine is fine as it is . I just put a piece of tape where the front wheel hook hangs over the right chainstay
when it's folded .

Being where real helicopters are, they dont tend to tape them together, in the shop hanger,
at the Coast Guard's Airport.

to question,
I see: The problem is yours is painted white ..
got a roll of clear Packing Tape?

Lizard Skins makes several different sizes of clear self adhesive bicycle frame protection "patches". One of these could be cut to make a number of smaller sizes:
http://www.amazon.com/Lizard-Skins-C...ef=pd_sim_sg_1
Or, you could just check your LBS, as I've found a couple of different sheets of various size clear frame patches in the past (I think one of them came from Trek).
John

I'd like to know if anyone has found a vinyl wrap that matches the orange frame (matt).