Do you cross your gear cables?

thestrand

Hi everyone,

I'm currently changing the gear cables on my bike, as they're getting a bit frayed and worn out.

At the moment, they cross underneath the downtube, so the front gear cable from the left lever goes in at the headtube on the right, and I'm just wondering whether this is the most ideal method.

I don't know whether it is just my mistake from when I initially set up the groupset, but both outer cables have frayed dramatically where the barrel adjusters are on the downtube. I am wondering whether this is a result of crossing them.

So is it better to stick with the layout I have at the moment, or change to put the front gear from the left in the headtube on the left and the same with the rear lever?

Thanks in advance

chrisw12

I find that crossing gives a much better cable run as you get a bigger loop from shifter to frame and you avoid cable rub unless the bars are turned a lot. My only fear was where the cable crosses,, could they start cutting at each other but ime that never happened.

crankycrank

Depends on the bike. Some benefit from crossing, others don't. You basically want the cables to be free from tight bends and interfering with the hardware on the bike as much as possible. Pics might help.

gaffer_slow

No.

I do exactly as they tell me.

The Rookie

Personally I run mine crossed, its whatever makes most sense and that is usually crossed.