u/Unusual-Football7468

The AC WENTWORTHS put to work on rhe slush and gravel

I wanted to share a quick fix for a common problem: gear and brake cables scuffing the frame, especially around the welds where the paint is most vulnerable.

The Problem:

Over time, the constant movement of the handlebars causes the cable housing to act like sandpaper against the frame. On my Marin Nicasio plus, it was starting to wear down the finish right on the weld.

My Solution:

1. Lift and Align: I manually lifted the cables to a higher position to clear the frame contact points.

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2. The Zip-Tie Trick: I used a cable tie (zip-tie) to cinched the cables together. This creates a "bridge" that keeps them under tension and away from the frame.

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3. Rubber Protectors: I added rubber frame protectors (cable donuts) to the housing. Because the zip-tie holds the cables in a fixed position, these protectors now stay exactly where they are supposed to be instead of sliding down.

The Result:

Total silence and zero movement! The cables no longer touch the weld, and the scuffing has stopped completely.

Quick Tip: If you try this, make sure to turn your handlebars fully to the left and right after tightening the zip-tie. You want to ensure the cables aren't so tight that they pull on your brakes or ghost-shift your gears!

What other hacks are out there?