Big Hole in the downtube for cabling
09-20-20, 04:53 AM
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Big Hole in the downtube for cabling
How would you best try to cover up this hole so that dirt and water won't go into the bike?
I was thinking of stuffing some plastic sheets in there but once it gets lost in the tube there's no getting it out.
Merida Silex 400
I was thinking of stuffing some plastic sheets in there but once it gets lost in the tube there's no getting it out.
Merida Silex 400
09-20-20, 05:43 AM
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I would leave it alone. Any water that gets in will drain from the holes below. However, if you're really concerned about dirt and other stuff getting into the frame, I would use a thin bead of clear, silicon caulking.
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09-20-20, 06:14 AM
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I'd leave it open as well. Though since you do have a small hole in the bottom bracket shell that will allow drainage, it would not hurt to put a small piece of foam in the gap and cover with tape. Don't worry about stuff getting lost in the tube. Anything you put there should eventually migrate to the BB shell.
https://youtu.be/wCvbTqsOfEY
09-20-20, 06:32 AM
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I would assume that the people who designed the frame knew what they were doing.
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09-20-20, 07:10 AM
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Pull your bottom bracket once a year and clean it out if you are bothered by it. If that is too much, get a cheaper bike to ride in the dirt.
09-20-20, 07:46 AM
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I'd leave it open as well. But if you want to close it my thought would be spray-foam insulation.
Glenn
Glenn
09-21-20, 05:05 AM
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09-21-20, 06:35 AM
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this design element has been used for quite some time. If there were serious issues, I think we would have heard about it. Having said that, I don't like it either.
09-21-20, 12:36 PM
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Bung
I'd fashion a bung from a Staedtler Mars Plastic Eraser or some similar material.
You can pop it out when you get the bike wet.
Barry
You can pop it out when you get the bike wet.
Barry
09-21-20, 04:32 PM
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^^^^^
PLEASE DON'T
I assume it's a joke but you never know.....
PLEASE DON'T
I assume it's a joke but you never know.....
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09-22-20, 06:28 AM
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Yes, put this idea out of your head. Spray foam is 1) messy - no matter how careful you are it will expand well past the area you are trying to plug -AND- 2) it is tenacious - you will never get it off without a lot of effort and probable damage to what it's on. Cable housing you can replace, but do you want to take a razor blade to your frame? Go simple mate, push in a small piece of packing foam ... or just leave it alone and ride happy.
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09-22-20, 07:26 AM
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Everyone in this thread will be long dead and gone before that open cable gangway will cause any problems; if ever. Work on another problem, that one is OK.
09-22-20, 09:17 AM
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Yeah, I thought it was obviously a joke. You use that stuff to seal gaps in brick siding to keep bugs and critters out. It adheres tenaciously and might not be removable. I'll delete my original post. Also, plastic bags are not toys!
09-22-20, 11:10 AM
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If you really have your mind set to waste the time to fashion something, I’d look into rubber spark plug wire looms/separators.
The holes for the ignition wire are probably too large, and you may have to just get a 1/4” thick sheet of durometer 60 rubber and make something similar. You will have to pull your cables and run the housing through whatever you make. And unless it is a thrft store bike, I imagine you want it appear remotely well designed and not look like....
Attaching it might be a issue unless you can wedge it in there tight enough and let the housings hold it in place. Of course if you’ve gone this far, you might as well make blue anodized 1/4 turn fasteners.
The reality is most likely just a solution looking for a problem.
John
The holes for the ignition wire are probably too large, and you may have to just get a 1/4” thick sheet of durometer 60 rubber and make something similar. You will have to pull your cables and run the housing through whatever you make. And unless it is a thrft store bike, I imagine you want it appear remotely well designed and not look like....
Attaching it might be a issue unless you can wedge it in there tight enough and let the housings hold it in place. Of course if you’ve gone this far, you might as well make blue anodized 1/4 turn fasteners.
The reality is most likely just a solution looking for a problem.
John
09-22-20, 03:43 PM
#19
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I think there's a good possibility you're missing a plastic sleeve. Take a look at this video at 2:24 and 4:08. Hard to see, but it looks entirely black behind the cables. And what are those three holes in the BB shell for?
I would go to Merida's website and ask them, or use their dealer search and find a dealer you can ask.
I would go to Merida's website and ask them, or use their dealer search and find a dealer you can ask.
09-22-20, 10:13 PM
#20
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I think there's a good possibility you're missing a plastic sleeve. Take a look at this video at 2:24 and 4:08. Hard to see, but it looks entirely black behind the cables. And what are those three holes in the BB shell for?
I would go to Merida's website and ask them, or use their dealer search and find a dealer you can ask.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vgUfr2-pug
I would go to Merida's website and ask them, or use their dealer search and find a dealer you can ask.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vgUfr2-pug
