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?)
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Aluminum C-clips
Pros
- Aesthetics
- Available in different colors

Cons
- Tough to remove
- Tears up finish on frame
- Not cheap (relatively)
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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

 

Capt.Dan comes through with a complete analogy.

End thread.

 

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??

 

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.

 

Alright I'll join the party.

There's all kinds of great solutions in here.

I've used Problem Solvers and..Jag Wire.

Cable Guides | Jenson USA (Page 1 of 2)

 

Alright I'll join the party.

There's all kinds of great solutions in here.

I've used Problem Solvers and..Jag Wire.

it's ok to play with the other kids, really.

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.

Yes the thought had crossed my mind(rare) as to the result of one VS the other.

 

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.

 

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.

 

I use these:

 

I use these:

for your captures??

 

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.

 

Another reason I just go with zip ties. Cinch 'em down, clip off the tag end, spin 'em around to tuck the pointy part under and away, and then GO RIDE.

 

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.

 

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:

 

Haven't you ever used some of these?

Cable Guides | Jenson USA (Page 1 of 2)

 

Here's a trick cable tie for my dropper post.

 

I use clips, and zip tie. Depends on what I bought and have left

 

C-clips are dirt cheap for manufacturers and installation is much much quicker than Zip ties. I use them if I have them but I'm happy with zip ties. Use flush cutters to ensure there are no sharp ends. Snap-On sells cutters specifically for this purpose, but you can find perfectly suitable flush cutters at any electronics place for 1/10th cost. Since you're just cutting plastic, they last forever.

Amazon.com: flush cutters

I have the Hako CHP-170, among some others. They're small and easy to get into tight places when necessary.

 

Flexroute makes a cool ziptie solution, or you can make your own cable loop by using two zipties together, or even a presta valve nut.

 

Yep, you turned me on to those about a year ago. Great solution as are the Problem Solvers.

Some great solutions here >>> Cable Guides | Jenson USA (Page 1 of 2)

 

I've had the c-clips closest to the head tube fall off so I replaced them with zip ties, but I'm still using c-clips on the rest of the cable guides.

 

exactly what i did.

Will clips vs ties become the contentious topic that inflames passions and egos on MTBR? Can it go beyond clipless vs flat, spandex vs baggies and wheel size passions? Stay tuned!

be careful, be very careful

 

If you use flush cutters, you don't have to worry about sharp zip tie ends.

 

OK... Yesterday, I was removing the C clip closest to my headset that holds two cables (a cable and a brake hose, actually) and broke it trying to open it up.
It came with my frame and I haven't been able to find them anywhere.
I showed it to the mechanic at the shop while I was getting a new brake hose and he also said he had no clue where to get a new one.
He then showed me a trick. He trims wire ties with a nail cutter. It leaves them completely smooth.
I guess I won't have sharp edges on my zip ties any more.

 

It came with my frame and I haven't been able to find them anywhere.
I showed it to the mechanic at the shop while I was getting a new brake hose and he also said he had no clue where to get a new one.

You need a better mechanic, they are very common part: LINK I think it might have been Giant who originally devised them because years ago the bags I found were Giant branded but these days you can buy them very cheaply on eBay etc no problem.

 

Will clips vs ties become the contentious topic that inflames passions and egos on MTBR? Can it go beyond clipless vs flat, spandex vs baggies and wheel size passions? Stay tuned!

 

Only zip ties for me. In my opinion they deserve a seat next to duct tape for they general awesomeness.

 

Can anyone show an example of a zip tie wrecking a cable or hose because the cable or hose got caught on something in a crash and yanked so hard that it permanently damaged the housing or hose? Just curious. That sounds pretty unlikely. I use zip ties because I don't want to have to worry about them ever coming off.

That being said, I wanted red ones for one bike, and I only had the really small zip ties in red, so I used 2 of them in each cable guide on the bike, side by side...they just barely fit. If you were worried about the zip ties being too strong and causing damage in a freak 1-in-a-million crash, you could just use one of the little, light zip ties and it would probably pop right off before any damage to the cable or hose happened. That way the cable could come completely free of the frame at all the housing guides, and just kink or break right at the lever end or at the caliper/derailleur end when it brought the bike to a screeching halt. That would be way better.

 

Here's a closer look at the presta nut method.

I like this one, cuz while it's McGyver-y, it's still bikey.

 

^ i like that, but mine would have a strip of electrical tape to protect the frame.

 

Good idea.

excellent mcgyvered, i've seen that same config but with a rubber O-ring or piece of clear tubing.

 

Good idea.

 

I use another zip tie.