I’m fluent in three languages: Dutch, English, and Hyperbole. The third is an acquired talent developed by creative and narcissistic tendencies; the narcissism feeds a belief that normal words can’t properly describe the magnitude of my experiences, and the creativity struggles to cope with restrictive paradigms like “facts” and “reality”. I have also been diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder which, when taken with everything else, suggests that my darling partner exhibits some questionable judgement.
I have a visceral response to clutter; when I see things out of order, my insides turn about themselves and cause me physical discomfort. If the clutter escalates to becoming a “mess”, my mood changes and I become irritable. This applies to everything from our house, my workshop, my office, desk space, my computer desktop, my briefcase, and my bicycles’ cable organization. I don’t have to tell you that the last one is the only one that really matters.
The tidiness of the cables on a bicycle are one of several key factors that elevate the Velominatus above the Common Cyclist. The old style of STI shifters and their protruding cables were barbaric; they represented a principle reason for my dislike of Shimano’s system. Campagnolo took a few extra years to produce the Ergo shifters, and I am quite convinced they spent that extra time sorting out how to internally route the cables.
The organization of a rider’s cables and the length to which they are trimmed is a critical detail to which we must all pay close attention. No matter how beautiful the bike, disheveled cables will always bring it down. I hereby give you the V Principles of Cable Routing:
Go with Merckx, and do not violate these principles. Vive la Vie Velominatus.
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@brett
So you are quoting a pro mechanic to contradict another pro mechanic, and then saying that pro mechanics shouldn't be asked. You can't buy that kind of convenience just anywhere. You need a 7-11 for that.
Also, your own quote from today:
Honestly, I could give two shits if you put them in front or behind - its a matter of preference and what works best for your setup.
Just don't split the pairs up like a barbarian.
@Barracuda Easy solution: Just ask your LBS for some.
@Ron
I have some Jagwire frame protector gimlets you can have. Gimme a shout and they're yours. No need for them on my bike.
@frank
So, your concluding sentence "do not violate these principles" (and therefore the whole article) is moot then?
Anyway, finally got around to re-cabling and taping after two years because of this discussion... so it's achieved something.
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4 cables good, 2 cables better!!
Admittedly the front is looking a little on the short side.
I'm a big fan of the cable guildes that Jason uses on the Rourkes. Tidies up the front end, and means no cable rub.
@brett So after all that why didn't you put your front brake cable in front of everything else ?
That was the one part of this thread that I clearly understood.
@ChrisO
Yep, it's in front, the rear gear cable runs parallel to and above it on the bar, then goes off to the stop.
Sorry, the Garmin should be straight and it should be black
@brett almost all of the Japanese owned bicycles I work on have the front brake on the right brifter. while I generally adhere to the rule of 'front brake, front derailleur, left brifter', Japanese mechanics customarily have the brakes set up the same as motorbikes, and as such, I've noticed most motorcycle enthusiasts who also are bicyclists have the same brake setup.
I also agree with you on the front brake cable issue it seems several people are pissing over. The reason I run the front brake cable in front of all the other cables is that when the bars are turned, the front cable is pulled on by one of the shift cables, or a shift cable and rear brake cable, if the front brake cable is run behind the others. In order to 'fix' these issues, many lazy mechanics and even more home mechanics run extra long cabling. A longer stem exacerbates the cable pull issues, unless again, it is 'fixed' with extra long cabling. Looking at the cabling jobs people are posting up as proof that the front shift cable should be run behind shows the extra lengths of shift and rear brake cable needed to prevent the front from being pulled. However, if the cable routing to the brifters is the same as the Japanese/Motorcyclist setup, this becomes a moot point as shown in the above picture of the Colnago.