Do you like internal cable routing for mountain bikes?

Internal cable routing gives mountain bikes a clean look and reduces the chance of snags at the cost of our collective sanity.

By Jeff Barber
September 1, 2024

11 comments

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Internal cable routing tends to get a bad rap among bike mechanics, but now that it’s been around for a while, it’s getting… better? Guided cable routing helps, but now designers are finding even more places to hide all those untidy cables and hoses.

Bonus questions for the comments: What do you think about headset and/or handlebar cable routing: good idea, or a bridge too far?

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11 Comments

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canterburynh New Hampshire // 2018
Sep 1, 2024

I don't mind internal routing except for thru the headset. Won't purchase a bike whose routing goes thru the headset 100% form over function.

2 reply

RemyMac Colorado // 2022
Sep 1, 2024

I'm fine with it but wouldn't complain at all if the brake hose were external.

Exodux California // 2017
Sep 1, 2024

I don't see what the problem is with internal cable/ hose routing. I do all of my mechanics and while it is a little more effort to run cables/ hoses internally, once the job is finished, it's not like you are tearing it down every week. On one of my current bikes, a Scott Spark RC, it has the cables run through the headset, again a non issue.

1 reply

acanfield Maryland // 2008
Sep 1, 2024

As long as it's well-integrated and easy to refeed cable, internal routing is okay. Might even make for a quieter bike with less housing rattle. Headset internal routing seems overcomplicated, but I don't have direct experience with it.

0 reply

Zoso 2016
Sep 1, 2024

External cables = waay harder to clean the bike and you really can't ever get it clean.

sasmith 2020
Sep 5, 2024

I think this is an issue that is being kept alive beyond it really being an issue. It was a true pain at first but the brands caught on to the problem and have been improving since. My old Rocky Mountain was tricky but doable. I just refreshed the shift inner/outer cables (which are the only ones you really have to deal with regularly) on my ‘22 Norco and with a cheap chase wire tool it was a breeze. I do agree with the thumbs down on through the headset tho.

AUTHOR

Jeff Barber Georgia // 1998
Sep 5, 2024

True. Mountain bikes are so good we have to find nits to pick.

OhioFatBiker Ohio // 2016
Sep 4, 2024

I would not buy a bike with routing through the headset, other than that I don't care if it is or is not internal routing. It is not worth extra cost to me, but it seems like most bikes have it now.

45Lorenskog Slovenia // 2024
Sep 4, 2024

Internal cable routing is fine, I even prefer it.
But headset routing is a 100% no go for me.
Fortunately I've just got a new bike but any with headset routing is not on my list

Caspar Beronius Christensen Denmark // 2022
Sep 3, 2024

Non issue ! at worst U might spend +10-20 min routing a cable or brake line THE 1st TIME BUILDING BIKE . When time comes for replacing said cable/brakeline get a tandem innergearcable !,theyre 4m long , thread thru new cable/brakeline , cut old where entering and exiting frame , thread tandem inner thru old and pull new cable/brakeline thru frame.

Robert Dobbs New York // 2016
Sep 1, 2024

Internal cable runs are like that little girl with the curl in the middle of her forehead. When it is good, it is very, very good, but when it is bad, it is horrid!!
My first three encounters with ICR, seven years ago, were so bad that any time I have to deal with it now, it means an automatic trip to my LBS - do not pass Go, do not collect $200, go straight to the LBS.
I bought a new mountain bike two weeks ago. I have not had to deal with the ICR yet, but I may give it a shot if I can get over my ICR PTSD.

-1 reply

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