For each place where a cable enters a housing, tear off a 4-inch strip and a 1-inch strip of duct tape.
Mud-Proofing the Cables
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If you ride a lot in dirty water, mud, or snow, here's a
quick way to keep the cable damage to a minimum.
For each place where a cable enters a housing, tear off a 4-inch strip and a 1-inch strip of duct tape. |
| Place the smaller strip, sideways and face down, in the middle of the sticky side of the larger strip. (This creates an area with no adhesive where the "mud-proofing cover" covers the entry of the cable into the housing.) |
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Fold the tape over the frame where housing meets raw cable.
Stick it down, about 1/2 inch behind the end of the housing.
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| Wrap the tape around the frame, occluding any open spaces. Pinch the sticky part of the tape around the cable -- the back-side of the smaller piece of tape keeps adhesive from getting on the part of the cable that enters the housing. |
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Here's a cable-killer! This bottom-pull front
derailleur cable goes directly into cable housing through this hole in the
frame. Mud and water will run into the housing every time you shift.
Let's cover it up. |
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Once you're through with that cold, muddy ride, pinch the duct tape down to make sure it's securely in place. Then hose the bike down fully. After hosing, peel the duct tape away. |
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If you get a little adhesive buildup on the cable after a few rides, clean it off with paint thinner or acetone.
