Better solutions for external Di2 Wiring

Cyclosis

Hi Folks,

I've got an externally wired Di2 setup using Shimano's sticky sheath bits and a few cable ties here and there.

Does anyone have a better solution for fixing the cables to the frame? The sticky bits start to peel of, especially around the mucky areas like the chain stays etc.

Anyone used anything else to better effect?

Cheers,

Jim

proto

Is the frame carbon or aluminium? If the former, why not modify it to take internal cables. Not that difficult a job, couple of hours with a Dremel tool and a steady hand and it's done. Alternatively get one of the carbon repair specialists to do it for you.

Cyclosis

It's an aluminium frame unfortunately!

CiB

Just seen this...

I use three short lengths of electrical tape that matches the frame colour, on the underside of the downtube for the junction A to junction B wire, and another wrapped once round the chainstay just behind the rings to keep the box B to rear mech wire in place. That one goes through the existing cable butt so stays in place at the mech end, but clearly you need a slotted cable guide to do that. All the other wires are the right length and don't need fixing, but to achieve that you need to lose a bit of cable by running them through the slots on the underside of box B and looping them back around the allen bolt using the moulding to hold the wires in place without trapping them, then run them to their destinations. You can get the shorter wires to 'stick' to the frame by rotating the plug half a turn or so before popping it into its socket, so that the curve of the wire follows the frames curves.

Use Maplins electrical contact cleaner or similar to clean those areas of the frame thoroughly before sticking the tape down, and it looks neater with neat square cut ends too.

I'll try to remember to stick a photo up later. It looks a lot neater than the big sticky sheath.

Edit to add this: the tape still comes away after a while but it's a trivial job to replace it, and it's free once you have a roll of tape. It becomes part of the proper bike clean ritual.

rafletcher

Cyclosis wrote:

It's an aluminium frame unfortunately!

I don't see why a dremel wouldn't do the same job as on a carbon frame. Just make sure any opening have smooth edges.

ride_whenever

I've never had any issues with the shimano stuff, as above make sure the frame is bloody clean, also make sure you haven't cut off the little fingers