DIY Bike Cable Clamps & Routing | Quick Fix
This is a bit of a random bike fix but I have found myself in this situation a couple of times throughout my bike mechanic times so thought I would share this simple cable clamp & cable routing repair. Here we have a bike that had absolutely no gear or brake cable guides left in the frame, nor did I have any to replace them with… Perhaps they wobbled loose or were stolen by a previous owner etc. etc. Either way here was my quick fix to get the cables re routed neatly.
While what I have used here isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing fix it gives you the general idea and hopefully some inspiration to create your own cable guide clamps for your bike.
You will need for your cable clamps
Large penny washer or similar
Bolts to fit your frame recesses (m4-m5 usually)
Plastic cable tidys
Hammer
Hacksaw
File
General workshop tools will be helpful no doubt
Vice
Making Your Cable Clamps:
Start by cutting off the edges of your penny washer so it is more of a rectangular shape. Then tidy up the cut edges with a file, removing any burs.
Now pinch one rounded side of the washer in a vice and hammer until the edges are kinked. Rotate the washer and do the same to the other side. Again tidy up any sharp edges with a file to avoid any damage to your gear/ brake cables and bike frame.
Now moment of truth! Once you are happy with the shape of your cable guide, get your bolt and carefully thread it into the recessed hole in your bike frame. Align each of the cables appropriately underneath your new cable guide and tighten. Make sure you only pinch the bolt tight and do not crush your brake or gear cables.
Finally you may find it useful to clip on some cable tidys to keep the cables running where you want them. Finally once you are happy take it for a test spin to see if everything stays in place.
As I said earlier this instance was only a very quick fix so isn’t the best looking. With some thought you could use coloured washers of even spray paint to match your bike!