Old timer at the co-op swore by zip ties for cable management inside the frame

Met a guy named Dave at the community bike co-op in Portland last summer. He said to use a single zip tie to bundle all the housing inside the frame before feeding it through. I always did it loose and fought with rattles for years. Tried his way on a customer's 90s trek. Took maybe 3 minutes longer but everything slid through clean and dead silent on the test ride. Your mileage may vary but I haven't gone back since. Anyone else have a trick from an old mechanic that actually stuck?

2 comments

2 Comments

sean_park814d ago

Switched to zip ties myself and suddenly realized I'd been fighting ghosts in that frame for a decade.

janac5914d ago

Switched to the zip tie method last fall on my own beater commuter. Had a set of old lx housings that were a nightmare to fish through the top tube. Tied them up like Dave said, one loop about halfway down the bundle. Pulled right through first try. Finally no more clatter from the inside on bumpy streets. Kinda mad I spent years dealing with that rattle honestly.