Internal gear cable routing...

ponyboy

OK - this has probably been asked before...
I have a Blackhawk TXR TT bike. The cable to the front mech needs to be replaced. It goes into the downtube at the front left, and comes out of the seat post just below the front mech. Both points of access are through very small holes (just big enough for a cable without the outer). My LBS has tried for most of the day to get a cable through.
The chainset has been removed with the hope of removing the BB - no joy, as it's glued in...
They have managed to push through from the rear point towards the front, but it won't go through the hole...
Does anyone have any good ideas??
Hope someone out there can help

StillGoing

A vacuum and a long thread of cotton. Attach the thread to the cable and suck the other end through the hole with the vacuum. Carefully pull the thread through until the cable appears.

ponyboy

hi
Tried the vacuum method - failed.
Between the LBS and me, we have now solved this...
The guide tube on the inside of the downtube has got detached from the frame, so when you poke the cable into the hole at the front of the bike, it doesn't go into the guide. After reading numerous replies to a variety of forums, and having already tried virtually everything, I took the front fork off, and poked the cable through from the exit point at the front mech. The cable came all the way through to the front of the frame (luckily - and through the routing cable which I could see with the aid of a small torch). A loop of cotton was put through the cable entry point, and then pulled back towards the front of the frame. Cotton was then attached to the cable - pulled - and that gave us a cotton thread through the routing tube. The new cable was then attached to the cotton with superglue, and after (quite a bit) of fiddling, the new cable found the routing, was pulled through and sorted...
So - the moral of the story is...
1. Don't pull the cable out unless you know everything is working as it should be.
2. Never, ever give up...
3. Use your LBS - they are generally good; will spend time and effort for you; and for the little jobs like this we would all be lost...

So happy end to the story. The LBS charged me £2 for the cable! Nothing for the hours they spent trying to sort it - but they will get a nice box of biscuits next time I see them...

StillGoing

Can't see how it failed as it's the last ditch method for most people when the sleeve tube is missing or has fallen from position? My Basso has an entry and exit hole just big enough for the cable inner and a good suction vacuum and cotton was the only way to get the cable routed. Glad you got it done though.