What’s missing here?

[newfhouse]

As thread title, what’s missing here? This is a fairly recent acquisition, an early nineties Pearson with a Shimano RX100 chainset. I’ve ridden it a few hundred miles since I‘ve had it, and bought it without ever turning it upside down. I know, I know...

Today I decided to give it a thorough clean and replace a sticking gear cable, and found this.




I presume there should be a cover here, and I was surprised to see that both gear cables run directly against the frame rather than through a plastic spacer. What do the experts think?

 

[Salty seadog]

Indeed, you are missing a cable guide.

 

[raleighnut]

I don't think anything is missing although it looks like you could stick a couple of short lengths of outer over the cables if they'll fit in the 2 guide portions of the BB shell.

 

[midlife]

Yup, as above there is nothing missing. Slotted BB and brazed cable guide

 

[newfhouse]

Thanks chaps. I knew I could rely on your wisdom, and I’m grateful for your reassurance. I don’t think there’s room to sleeve the cables so I’ll just try to keep it all clean and lubricated.

 

[12boy]

I know that there are bottom brackets made to have a cutout but that makes me cringe. There are products that polymerize rust and that would be a start. I would clean it up, treat the rust, use a frame saver product on the inside of the frame and seal the opening when done. Otherwise I don't see why that area would not rust out.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

I know that there are bottom brackets made to have a cutout but that makes me cringe. There are products that polymerize rust and that would be a start. I would clean it up, treat the rust, use a frame saver product on the inside of the frame and seal the opening when done. Otherwise I don't see why that area would not rust out.

A cut-out is a good idea since it allows water inside the frame to drain out. All frames should have a cut-out or a drainage hole.

 

[newfhouse]

In view of the advice here, I’m going to see if I can treat the rust and find a suitable touch up paint. Obviously any paint will wear through again over time where the cable rubs a groove. Seems an odd design flaw on what was once an expensive bike.

 

[12boy]

I live in a high desert with little rain so am probably ignorant of what is different in a rainy climate. Where does the water going in the BB that should drain out come from? If it's coming from above the BB, would not a very small hole suffice? I grease as much of that area as I can when installing a BB and I've had little rust. I have read though, that bike that go outside in the cold to be riden, but come inside a warm house for the night can h ave condensation when out in the cold again.

 

[Smokin Joe]

The water comes up from the rear tyre and finds it's way in through the clamping slot at the back of the seat tube. When I was an all weather hard guy I used to smear silicone sealant over the slot and round the top of the tube.

 

[12boy]

I usually have a bag of some sort which catches that. I like leather saddles and I don't want them sprayed with water or worse, salty water from the slush on snowy days.

 

[raleighnut]

I live in a high desert with little rain so am probably ignorant of what is different in a rainy climate. Where does the water going in the BB that should drain out come from? If it's coming from above the BB, would not a very small hole suffice? I grease as much of that area as I can when installing a BB and I've had little rust. I have read though, that bike that go outside in the cold to be riden, but come inside a warm house for the night can h ave condensation when out in the cold again.

Yep condensation can build up inside steel frames but also bear in mind these frames were built before 'sealed' BBs became a thing so you'd get water ingress through the pedal spindle.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

I usually have a bag of some sort which catches that. I like leather saddles and I don't want them sprayed with water or worse, salty water from the slush on snowy days.

If you've ever worked in a bike shop you would have seen hundreds of bike where water drips or pours out when you remove the BB. It damages the BB, rusts the frame and also corrodes carbon and aluminium in contact with each other. Very destructive. The hole should be about 6 mm at least. Smaller and the water's capillary action wond let small amounts out. In dry areas, bike wash water ends up in the BB too.

 

[12boy]

Is some kind of frame saver used a lot in the UK?

 

[midlife]

Very nice . Condor have their own site for vintage frames.

https://www.condorcycles.com/pages/condor-vintage-frames-and-bicycles