Re: cleaning the commute bike

Frank Krygowski <frkrygow@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

On 1/20/2025 11:15 AM, Wolfgang Strobl wrote:

 
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond_frame>
 
The cable routing for the rear derailleur is usually like this: The
cable is routed open along the down tube on its underside and from the
cable guide under the bottom bracket further to the end of the chain
stay. So there are only two short cable housings, from the shifter to
the headset or top of down tube and then from the end of the chainstay
to the rear derailleur.

 
FWIW, the worst of these problems I ever had was with my first mountain
bike. To turn the front shift cable upwards from the down tube to behind
the seat tube, it had a short (maybe 6") of cable housing. Both ends of
that housing pointed upward, and inhaled water and mud. I did ride the
woods in winter back in those days, and the moisture in the housing
would freeze, locking up front shifting.
 
The open metal channel guides atop the bottom bracket gave the least
trouble IME. Plastic guides under the bottom bracket need occasional
cleaning and lube, but were also far better than housing.
 

Early and mid MTB were essentially just over built road frames, and some
did come with some questionable cable routing particularly for a sport that
is likely to encourage mud and water.

MTB frame’s are quite a bit more designed this century some of which coming
from the rise of full suspension, but also designing the bike for its
intended use.

Roger Merriman