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zip ties or C-Clip Housing Guides

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Mainly a curiosity aspect for me as to what riders prefer ?. Also the pros/cons for either if any? From an aesthetic standpoint I much prefer the C-clip.

MCS go easy on us ok??:cool:
 
#2 ·
Plastic C-clips
Pros
- Aesthetics
- Ease of installation

Cons
- Tough to remove (I use a thin metal wire [twist-tie] to get under the clip and release the barb.)
- Not cheap (relatively)
- Not available in different colors (or are they?)
-------------------------------------------------------
Aluminum C-clips
Pros
- Aesthetics
- Available in different colors

Cons
- Tough to remove
- Tears up finish on frame
- Not cheap (relatively)
-------------------------------------------------------
Zip-Ties
Pros
- Easy to remove & replace
- Cheap
- Available in different colors

Cons
- Requires tools to remove
- One-time use
- Not as clean-looking as C-clips
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
DIRTJUNKIE said:
Capt.Dan comes through with a complete analogy.

End thread.
Click to expand...
not quite thank you.:skep:

Not sure if they come in assorted colors or not so i purchased black(yuk) and found them a loose fit so i macgyvered them (squeeze the 2 ends together with pliers and warm with a butane lighter thus closing the gap in 1/2) to fit snug.

What about in a fall and the cable/housing gets snagged and the zip-tie VS a c-clip snapping or breaking off scenario??
 
#6 ·
what's DJ in such a hurry for? late for an appointment? (insert "your mom" joke here)

I bought a bag of the plastic clips on ebay super cheap. I prefer them to the look of zip ties. i also like no tools required, and re-usable.

AFA crashing, i was always worried i was going to catch my leg on a zip tie and slice my leg open, even though i always had them pointing in. i also like that the clips might pop off instead of being permanently stuck if the cable somehow got snagged on something. not sure how likely that is though. either way, whatever floats your boat.
 
#8 ·
C-clips if the frame comes with them. Zip ties if it doesn't or I lose them. Never ever had an issue with zip ties other than maybe they don't look the best...but really...who cares. They are cheap and work.
 
#9 ·
One thing to consider with zip-ties, is that if the cable catches a branch (or other reasonably immovable object) the C-clip will break, a zip tie may not. Might result in damage to the bike, particularly hydraulic brake lines (or Reverb lines)

While that may or may not really be a valid concern to sway a decision, I have personally seen another rider catch a hydraulic brake line on a bike rack and pop a c-clip. I don't know what would have failed first if it had been zip-tied.
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
DIRTJUNKIE said:
Alright I'll join the party.

There's all kinds of great solutions in here.

I've used Problem Solvers and..Jag Wire.
Click to expand...
it's ok to play with the other kids, really. ;)

ARandomBiker said:
One thing to consider with zip-ties, is that if the cable catches a branch (or other reasonably immovable object) the C-clip will break, a zip tie may not. Might result in damage to the bike, particularly hydraulic brake lines (or Reverb lines)

While that may or may not really be a valid concern to sway a decision, I have personally seen another rider catch a hydraulic brake line on a bike rack and pop a c-clip. I don't know what would have failed first if it had been zip-tied.
Click to expand...
Yes the thought had crossed my mind(rare) as to the result of one VS the other.
 
#13 ·
My preference is C-clips but sometimes zip ties are needed. Some bike frames have wonky cable routing where the cables move a lot or have stupid bends, this can put enough stress on C-clips that they get popped off on a regular basis. On those bikes I zip tie the cables/hoses at key locations and C-clip the rest.
 
#17 ·
Sometimes the zip ties make it uncomfortable to carry the bike if you leave edges when you trim them.
I wish I could find double cable C clips. My 907 frames come with them. I can only seem to find singles online.
 
#18 ·
Old school zip ties, all the way...

Because they can fix more things that break or come apart than a C-clip can.

I recently noticed that my Kona roadie has C-clips. I thought to myself when I saw them, "WTF are those?" :lol:
 
#19 ·
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DIRTJUNKIE
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