David Bonnell said:One of the MTB frames that I'm considering uses downtube cable
routing.This seems a bit odd, given the amount of grit/grime/moisture that
frequents the downtube/bottom bracket. Does anyone have positive/
negative experience to share on the subject? My road bike has
downtube cabling, but I don't smash it over rocks or take it through
mud pits.
My full susser has that setup. I rode that bike through this past New
England winter, and it saw plenty of snow, muck & grime. Even after
hours of snow, including trudging through over the BB, the rear brakes
actuated. They didn't necessarily grab as I'd like, what with
everything covered in slush and/or frozen, but they actuated. I'll
have to check the rear brake cable though, that one may come down the
top tube. I'll try to remember to look tonight. It's a Marin, if you
want to check sooner.
The shifting froze up on any snow ride rather promptly, but I
attributed it to the derailers. It may have taken longer for stuff to
freeze up with different cable routing, but I've never had a bike that
would still shift hours into a snow ride.
Mud has been a non-issue in regards to functionality, but I don't ride
in very muddy conditions, be nice to the trails and all that. It
definitely requires more attention than cables with a cleaner route.
Overall, it's a bit of a PITA but not (in my book) a deal-breaker.
Where are the bottle cages on this frame? Mine has one on the bottom
of the down tube with the cables (yuck!) and the other is on top of
the top tube, where it's crushed in any emergency dismount or crash.
This is annoying as can be, and has be back to wearing a camelback
when I ride that bike. On my diamond-frame hardtail I get by with
bottles & a seat bag just fine. This is enough of an issue with me
that I don't like to ride the full susser when it's really hot out, as
I then need to deal with the extra hot back from wearing a pack. I'd
buy that bike again, but only for the deal I got. I wouldn't pay
retail for a bike with the bottle holders my Marin has, so it could be
considered deal-breaker important.
Dan