What to use to stop cables damaging frame?

iRider

Hi, anyone know anything to stop the cables, from over time, causing the paint to wear away from the frame, where the cables rub when turning etc...

Thanks.

desweller

Helicopter tape.

Supergoose

These are good too.
http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=A0106

reba6768

Clear tape from Wickes - only a couple of quid a roll and tough.

Wappygixer

This stuff is excellent http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Sports_Cover_Bike_Shield_Half_Pack_Frame_Protector_Set/5360006691/
Its not the cheapest but it looks great and is still easy to remove is needed.Yet it doesn't peel.
You can get a slightly larger pack which will do most of your bike and its only about £3 dearer.
I have this on my Kuota for the cable runs, chainstay, back of the seat tube and the downtube just to protect from stones and stuff.After thsi I still had a lot left in the kit.

ajb72

I just use electricians tape in the same colour as the frame. Stops cable rub and is a doddle to remove, leaves no residue etc.

Ginjafro

I use rubber cable grommets (donuts). Any decent bike shop should have them, usually in black or transparent. They even sell them in Halfords and are cheap as chips, as some might say!

Slow Downcp

Clear Fablon from B&Q - £3 or £4 for a long wide roll to cut to size/shape as you need

pete.whelan

I cut some dainty carbon effect vinyl patches and stick them in a few places to stop the rub damaging the paint

Ginjafro

Mmm, I didn't read your thread correctly. In addition to grommets I also use frame patches where the cable sleeves rub.

andrew_s

Wappygixer wrote:

This stuff is excellent http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Sports_Cover_Bike_Shield_Half_Pack_Frame_Protector_Set/5360006691/

I'd be willing to bet that that is the same stuff as the Helicopter Tape, in a more expensive box.

Wappygixer

andrew_s wrote:

Wappygixer wrote:

This stuff is excellent http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Sports_Cover_Bike_Shield_Half_Pack_Frame_Protector_Set/5360006691/

I'd be willing to bet that that is the same stuff as the Helicopter Tape, in a more expensive box.

This isn't really a tape as such.Its got a rubbery feel to it and the surface is slightly dimpled.
Its pretty thick too, I'd say 1-2mm

andrew_s

Wappygixer wrote:

This isn't really a tape as such.Its got a rubbery feel to it and the surface is slightly dimpled.
Its pretty thick too, I'd say 1-2mm

Different stuff then. I lose
The helicopter tape is quite thin, intended to be pretty much invisible if you've taken care putting it on.

Bunneh

Using coloured insulation tape like mentioned above. I used to use those leeches which were meant to be for puncture repair but they wore out fast.

mpd62

left hand =front brake, Right hand= rear brake,, euro style, the rear brake cable comes around the headtube without touching

pete.whelan

It's not just brakes. The problem of paint wear has become more prevalent since the introduction of Ergo/STI gear systems. The gear cables are very stiff and generally push hard against the frame at some point.

(I have a bike that has recently been moved from aero brake levers/downtube gears to Ergo and now get a bit of paint rub due to the gear cables) Same on all my other bikes as well.

Big Shoes

ajb72 wrote:

I just use electricians tape in the same colour as the frame. Stops cable rub and is a doddle to remove, leaves no residue etc.

+1