Frame Drilling?
Thread started by
Americanspeed at 08.20.10 - 7:58 pm
so, i really want to drill some holes in my all aluminum early 90's cannondale frame so that i can run all my cable housing internally. right now all my housing is external and looks terrible because its all held on with zip ties. since the frame already has holes in it where the downtube shifters are misssing and where the bottle cage screws go and front deraulier hanger would go, would 3-4 more small holes hurt my frame? would the frame break when im riding uphill?
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Depending on how clean a job you do in making cable routing holes it should not affect
the integrity of the frame.
Cannondale did make brake stops that could be riveted on which require drilling a small hole.
Having your brake cable run through the top tube will make noise when on rough roads, unless expansion foam is used in the top tube.
Dedicated81808.20.10 - 9:29 pm
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I've done it before with good results. I don't know if I would say it's recommendable, but it worked fine for me. I started with a very small bit to drill pilot holes and gradually increased size while working the angle in. However, if you don't know what you're doing you could probably do some damage.
One thing about expansion foam is that it could make it difficult to route future cable housings should you need to. If you don't make the holes sloppy, you will probably not have any problems with rattling.
petr0lb0mb08.21.10 - 1:51 am
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Thank you guys, im gonna go forward with my project with confidence!
Americanspeed08.21.10 - 3:03 am
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When replacing a cable that runs internally attach the new cable to the old one as a
guide before you pull it out.
Dedicated818 responding to a
comment by petr0lb0mb
08.21.10 - 11:24 am
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I would actually recommend welding cable guides before drilling holes. Not only is drilling a hole scary in the first place (but possible), but I always feel that routing cables internally is also sketchy. While it looks nice, you never know what's going on in there. What if there's slight rust, or it's cracking, or anything?? You would never know because it's hidden.
imachynna08.21.10 - 12:11 pm
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Welding will ruin the tensle strength of the frame.
Cannondale frames are heat treated after they are assembled.
Since when does aluminum rust ?
Dedicated818 responding to a
comment by imachynna
08.21.10 - 6:06 pm
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Al rusts as a white powdery substance but no where near the rate that steal rusts
Gav responding to a
comment by Dedicated818
08.21.10 - 6:50 pm
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