Handy tips for mounting accessories

[arallsopp]

Howdo.

Finally managed to get around to mounting the cyo on the front of my Furai. Despite many hours searching for an aftermarket solution, I finally discovered a simple seat post mount will do the job

That's kind of a bent specific tip, so here's one that'll appeal to a wider audience.

You can pull off amazing hidden cable runs using a Dyson, some button thread, and a drop of solder...

Scenario: Your bike has nice clean lines. You add a SON dynohub on the front, and install a dynamo powered light at the other end of the fork. In the box for the light, you find a double run of cables, eager to snake their way up your fork leg. You're looking at two choices; snake around the fork like a helter skelter, or go straight and pin it with zip ties at top, bottom and middle...

Adding to the frustration, you can clearly see a hole at the bottom of your fork (just big enough to admit the cable) and another at the top (big enough to let it out again)... But how the hell do you thread it?

Solution:

• Grab a reel of button thread, or any reasonably strong cotton from your mum's sewing kit.
• Unwind a length approximately three times the length of the run you're trying to achieve.
• Tie one end of the thread around the fork, and feed the first 3 cms of the other into the entry hole. Ensure the remaining thread is away from any snags, especially if they're part of you.
• Hold Dyson hose over the exit hole (the edge cleaning head works best) and switch on.
• Wait 1/10th of a second.
• Remove Dyson hose and check for the thread. If its not there, return the Dyson, pull 90% of the thread out again, then let it suck back in again, repeating as necessary.
• If all has gone well, you'll now have a bit of thread tracing the intended cable route.
• Attach cable to end of thread, and gently pull it through. I did this by poking one of the wires through the thread, then soldering its end to the other wire.
• If you're feeling really neat, add a bit of heat shrink around the cable where it enters / exits the fork, as this'll protect it from possible abrasion when you steer / vibrate.

Proof:
Here's the SON on the Furai all wired up:
Hub end:

Steerer exit (with spare cable wrapped around head tube to avoid ripping it on extreme turns):

Anyone else got any tips, hidden secrets, or frank admissions of extreme fetishism re keeping the bike clean?

 

[longers]

I like that, very neat and tidy

 

[arallsopp]

I like that, very neat and tidy

Wow. I don't think I've ever heard a fixed rider call anything on a recumbent tidy before.
I may be quite smug for a while.

 

[TimP]

Hidden cable runs are great. Until something has to be changed - when I changed the light on my SMGT (upgrade from lumotech oval to fly) I cut the cable just after it emerged and rejoined to the new light to that in preference to trying to get the internal cable runs rethreaded.

Oh and need a tip for mounting stuff to add for the thread. Don't mount a computer it only makes you feel that you ought to be riding faster and you'll get all hot and sweaty.

 

[arallsopp]

The opportunity for hidden runs on the SMGT are fantastic. They even provide entry and exit on the rear rack, to loop in a dynamo powered rear light. I've done this on mine as a home kludged aftermarket addition.