How-to DRILL a BIKE for Internally Routed Dropper Posts - Step-by-step, MTB Frame

[@adrianashby1033]

An American using centimetres make me so happy. Thank you God bless

[@ViscountCharles]

I have no idea why anyone would make or modify anything (out of wood/metal/plastic/whatever) and use inches instead of metric measurements. Although it would be remiss of me not to point out that millimetres are almost always better than centimetres at sub-metre amounts :)

[@keirfarnum6811]

He’s a Canaderican!

[@keirfarnum6811]

@@ViscountCharles Because some measurements in Imperial are Base 8 and can be continuously scaled by halves. Base 10 systems can’t do that without using decimals.

[@ViscountCharles]

@@keirfarnum6811 until you get down to about 1/64, and then have to convert to Thou - a process that is itself inaccurate at sub-millimetre distances. And it’s no advantage at all if you want to scale something by a factor of 3, or 5, or whatever. Whereas the metric base-10 system handles decimal places just fine - it’s literally built around them, with a millimetre being 0.001 of a metre.

[@fwucku]

I was taught metric and over the years i use inches and feet for like how tall is the person or how long is the truck and on the small stuff i use millimetres.

[@hirprimate941]

Three months after I bought my bike they released a new version of it with a hole almost exactly where you put yours for a dropper post. The hell with the warranty (Who actually follows through with a frame warranty claim anyways) I'm drilling mine using this excellent video Thanks! Great Work!

[@ManfredAllstadt]

sehr hilfreich dein video. super arbeit 👍

[@krzysiu4003]

Did the same thing last week on my 10 year old Turner Flux. Remember to check your drill is not on the hammer setting before drilling :/

[@keirfarnum6811]

What if your frame is made of concrete? 😉

[@cncdesigncncdesign]

hqahhahahaha

[@josephlopez7593]

I’m trying to do the same for a Rocky Mountain 20 in bike

[@piciu256]

1:00 also, by the top tube, next to the welds, is a lot more risky potentially considering the life of the frame. A seat tube doesnt see much stress in the middle (nor does any tube really) but the headtube is where the most stress happens

[@themis828]

Thank you so much! Having the measurements plus knowledge of the tools needed will make this a ton easier for me, I'll be modding my 27.5 diamondback overdrive using this video. Thanks again, dude!

[@tekball9]

How did it work for you? I have a diamondback mission 1 and would like to do this as well.

[@Unboxedvids]

@@tekball9 did you end up doing it?

[@fwucku]

Exactly what i was thinking and i dont care about my warranty and thanks for showing us a simple way if doing it

[@polishguywithhardtospellna8227]

There are those droppers these days where cable goes to the dropper collar not to saddle rail mount, so drilling is not necessary, but gives more options in dropper choice

[@Okiejos_truck_stop]

Nice! I should have watched this before I ordered the brand x external dropper for my brand x frame.

[@georgedaswani9155]

Some dropper post like the "Brand X Ascend II" have external fixed mounting cable point @ the midcap, so when you raise or lower the seat, no cable moves up or down. Most people run a 1xN setup, so it leaves an extra slot on the frame for routing - perfect for a dropper post (no front derailleur).

[@PedroFTeixeira]

Perfect solution! Now go for a 140mm fork, you wont regret it. I have a 130 u turn to 150 revelation on mine, and never use it on 130. Only on really steep climbs.

[@micktheshaggy3977]

Hey, I know you've already answered this question couple of times (some questions asked one or two years ago), but let me ask again: is the frame still OK now after almost 3 years? And do you maybe know or remember what was the wall thickness of that seat tube? Thanks in advance.

[@mstvir]

About jagwire stick on guides, I use them too for my dropper, you might want to look out as during wet weather they un-sticked from the frame leaving my dropper cable dangling. I use gorilla glue underneath them to reinforce it.

[@Bigred10101]

Yeah I found the similar thing, I actually used a lighter to heat up the 3m tape so it sticks way better, but will defiantly use the gorilla glue next time!!

[@leroyjohnson4774]

I wonder if JB weld would hold those cable guide on long term?

Fantastic tutorial! We did a similar video a few weeks ago in our channel. It's a pity to lose the warranty, but it's so nice to tune your bike exactly as you like it. Congrats for the channel; I really like it.

[@sebastianjost]

I wished more frames would just come with a hole like that. It's really not that difficult.

[@willianb.6475]

Nice tutorial. I would drill on the seat tube back and down tube bottom, like Cannondale does for their bikes..

[@LoveMTB]

Yup, that sounds like a good idea as well!

[@horusgarcia1]

I plan to get an internal dropper and use the drain hole to run the cable through. Is this a good idea? If so, why didn't you make a drain hole?

[@LoveMTB]

Drain hole? Not sure what you mean - look for the bike check video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/nH2sq59riLV9aJY

[@horusgarcia1]

I mean, there is a bolt that holds the cable guides. I plan to run my cable through there and up the drop tube. Is that too much of a bend? Maybe I should drill behind the seat tube, 4-6 inches above the BB; better?

[@LoveMTB]

@@horusgarcia1 I don't know your bike but it can be an option, sure.

[@ignaciorodriguez5001]

Where did you get such a cool rubber grumet?

[@555Gear]

Let the beer flow indeed

[@nosegrindv4951]

thanks for the great vid! and thanks for the product links!

[@stefromfortworth]

Brand x literally makes the best externally routed dropper I’ve seen.

[@m0rt619]

Great video! Will try this now

[@jakecraddock2575]

Yeah man good video....thanks. Did you not consider drilling another 2 holes in the downtube - one near the BB, the other near the headtube? Appreciate that's a lot more work but then only a small bit of cable near the BB would be visible. Either way, I'm giving this a go. Thanks for the Jagwire cable guide headsup. Good work fella. Peace

[@brodygiddings]

I thought the same thing. Did you end up doing the extra 2 holes? How did it turn out

[@jakecraddock2575]

@@brodygiddings haha mate, I'm afraid to say it's still on my list of things to do

[@kennethroth6757]

I used the seat tube water bottle bolt holes after I popped out the water bottle bolts/rivets

[@TrailBikeMike]

I never thought of this. I bought my wife a Trek Marlin 7. I looked at the 2019 range and figured the bike would be perfect for her, plus I had a spare dropper and the bike had internal routing. I ordered a 2020 model and Trek had dropped the dropper routing for 2020!! :(

[@kennethroth6757]

@@TrailBikeMike The water bottle holder Allen bolts screw into a pressed insert.. I removed the Allen bolt then used a drill too drill into the insert,insert pops lot easy with a screwdriver. 👍

[@emmanuelbarroba7275]

@@TrailBikeMike i also plan to do this with my 2020 trek marlin 6, finger crossed

[@andrewallan9205]

Thanks for this, great guide.

[@nathanielrunge599]

Awesome! Where did you buy the rubber grommet?!

[@JogBird]

you can go internal for the downtube too

[@IPS0125]

LoveMTB No, you drill 3 holes. One up by the headtube, one by the bottom bracket and one where you did in the video. No one routes a dropper through the bottom bracket shell lol

[@robthompson1399]

@@LoveMTB or come out the hole shown in the video, go under the axle, and then up in to the down tube ? I think that would put more curve in the angle that the tight bend over the axle. Anyway, what you did is great, nice video. Of course I'm looking at these videos because I want to internally route a cable, and I feel confident that you have given me the confidence I wanted. I want to put a rear brake cable in the top tube of an alloy frame. My question to you would be, near the weld, or not ? Many thanks Rob

[@larp4474]

Can you make a video, drilling a full suspension bike for internal cable for dropper post?

[@LoveMTB]

Kind of the same idea...

[@larp4474]

@LoveMTB thanks

[@akskdfj]

Ty king 🙏

[@nosegrindv4951]

excellent! thanks!

[@phosphorbetamania]

tha perfect solution !!!

[@djoleap]

can we use vertical bottle cage holes?

[@LoveMTB]

you mean on the seat tube?

[@djoleap]

@@LoveMTB yes

[@markbarker6601]

Hi, were did your rubber grommet come from, or what is it made for please.

[@cauchemarre_]

Hello, thanks for the video. Where did you buy the rubber please ? That keeps cables safe ? Thanks !!

[@MrKmpm]

Hi, i m looking to do this on a full suspension bike, curious to know how the bike held up so far and how hard you ride (maybe also your weight). I think it should not be a problem but am a bit anxious about it. Very nice video explaining everything you did, for sure helps me with what i want to do!

[@justmike3146]

Where did you get the rubber grommet?

[@madrubicon]

I’d be too chicken to do something like that myself. Thanks for showing us how to do it!!

[@patty109109]

I’m gonna drill my bike when it comes next week. Internal droppers look better than external, and they are cheaper.

[@LoveMTB]

Let us know how it turned out!

[@joshhunter9299]

I like it. Well done 👍! ... and like you said, very clean.

[@pedrocarvalho569]

Hi, where can I find these "Rubber Gide"? Thanks

[@JhojoGaming]

you can still put an internal cable without drilling on your frame.. by removing the plastic tube of your hollowtech BB

[@LoveMTB]

And how do you get the cable out of the frame???

[@JhojoGaming]

@@LoveMTB, I wish I could put a picture in the comment section... so I can show mine how I did it.

[@KOL0WASO]

Thank You I've liked It It's a useful Video!

[@tiggerlator]

sweet

[@jerbyjerbjerb]

How is the bike doing right now? did it develop any cracks? I'm planning to this on my steel gravel bike.

[@LoveMTB]

I believe it is still well, have sold it a long time ago🙃

[@jerbyjerbjerb]

@@LoveMTB Thank you! Now I have more confidence to do it 😆

[@norms3913]

Where do you buy the grommets from ?

[@buboFMUK]

great video, very detailed, thanks! I am about to drill exactly same hole, but for the love of god please where did you get that grommet? I have been googling 3 days and cannt find anything like that, only much bigger, I am going crazy already :D

[@LoveMTB]

Thanks! Had it lit from another bike and if you look in the description and comments there are a few more ideas. Also LBS might have one?

[@buboFMUK]

@@LoveMTBthanks for the reply, unfortunately I was only able to find much larger ones, and I wouldnt want to drill larger hole just for the sake of the grommet. But on the other hand I really like the “factory” look that you cannt achieve without a grommet 😅

[@buboFMUK]

@@LoveMTBor maybe you would remember from what bike you have taken the grommet? That way I might be able to find them 😊

[@LoveMTB]

@@buboFMUK ns bikes or octane prone aluminum hardtails use that

[@Atka1971]

@@buboFMUK did you ever find grommets?

[@greaserfrankenstein]

Nice work! Where did you get those grommets?

[@amermeleitor]

How tall are you? I see you have a 15inch Kona bike, but you have medium size bikes too. I'm asking because i'm only 165cm and i don´t know if a 29er could be a proper bike for me.

[@davereyes5825]

just want to know what type of drill bit was used.. or just ordinary bit for steel.. thanks

[@flipxrandom]

Make surr to clean your BB after installin cause there gon be a lot of grim and metal bits under it

[@1911Zoey]

Was this an Aluminum frame?

[@bengriffiths9127]

Any updates on how the hole is doing now?

[@bengriffiths9127]

LoveMTB ahahah great thanks. Just bought the same frame as this and this has just convinced me to drill a hole too 🙈🙈🙈

[@jrdl30]

Hi there ask MTB seat tube 27.2mm for extra water bottle in hardtrail?

[@mlee6050]

Would you think to do so on road bike or not? Thought add dropper so saddle too high when bike locked up for like extra protection but unsure

[@ArMa1120]

Would it be an issue if you drill a hole at the back of the seat tube? I plan on doing the same exact thing on my frame.

[@donnovicki9771]

This is not the right place to ask this question but here goes anyways. Recently I had occasion to service my dropper post, and in doing so I wound up removing several of the frame grommets to make this easier. Well let me tell you there does not seem to be a way to get the grommets out of the frame without destroying them. I tried multiple methods and despite all my effort I ruined two of them. I have on order some replacement grommets, which by the way are 10.00 each but am wondering : how in the heck I'm going to get them tucked in to the holes as each grommet is fully formed with two holes, brake and dropper, but I haven't removed my brake line so there is no way to thread it through the grommet. I'm thinking if I get a razor knife and split the grommet down the middle,but not all the way I can get it around both lines and try to insert into the hole in the frame. You ever done this before ?

[@ToshJucker]

Where did you get the grommet though?

[@ToshJucker]

@@LoveMTB thanks!

[@josereneducharme142]

This is the train gap video of the bike maintenance videos. Hope you get the idea.

[@laurarose4370]

Hey! I have a 2014 breezer full suspension and am currently using an external dropper and can’t get it all the way in the frame (internal droppers are shorter) is this worth it and would it be structurally sound? I hit large drops and ride park. Thank you!

[@Ranita_MTB_760]

I have the same frame, how is it holding up? doing the same to mine.

[@g.fortin3228]

I like where you chose to drill but will get in the way of my lowered botte cage. But could drill out the lower bottle boss in that spot. My 2017 Fatboy came with a port drilled on the rear side of the seat tube down low, just over where the chain stays are welded.. I am thinking of doing a hole in that very same spot on my 2016 Salsa Blackborow, and routing the cable from there under the BB and externally up the bottom of the down tube. Since the Fatboy has it in this same spot I am thinking a safe spot for this frame as well ??

[@g.fortin3228]

@@LoveMTB OK thank you for your insight.. I'll avoid it

[@Can5m2]

Tell me where to buy such rubber seals in the holes? Or maybe their order numbers.

[@mstvir]

You can find them on AliExpress for pretty cheap a.aliexpress.com/s00DTynm

[@mstvir]

@@LoveMTB You are welcome. I constantly look at the bike parts in different online bike stores, as soon as I find something like that of your Kona, I will post it here.

[@NikitaNikitaNikita]

Where you get this rubber pieces?

[@NikitaNikitaNikita]

@@LoveMTB thank you

[@flipjumpers]

i have a frame that needs like 3 or 4 pieces of cable housing (some parts of the inner cable are exposed to the outside things), just for the rear derailleur and i was thinking to drill those things to attach the pieces of cable housing and just use one as a whole thing. but i don't know if it will work as it is. do you have some video or advice? cheers from argentina

[@flipjumpers]

@@LoveMTB oh thank you. good video. keep it up!

[@willjohnson846]

What kind of drill bit did you use to drill into your bike frame?

[@willjohnson846]

@@LoveMTB okay drill bit for metal....that's what I needed to know, thanks.

[@panhaveng6788]

Just wondering do you recommend the Chosen Hubs for MTB ?

[@many_padd]

Nice video! Do you have a link for the rubber grommet? I can't find them.

[@many_padd]

LoveMTB oh thank you!

[@tristantopambudi3186]

Wily old fox, I'd like to try it to mine, only question is is it going to weaken the frame tho?

[@Zedia949]

I did this to my bike didn't show any crack at the hole nor the sit tube for 6yrs now

[@everyhandletaken]

If weakening the frame was such a problem, how do they compensate for this with factory internal routed frames? thicker frame tube wall or internally welded plate around the opening to add back the strength? Maybe, but I doubt it. Yes, they have engineers to test the fact, of course.. but, seems pretty unlikely that there is any significant weakening by adding a small hole. I think it is worth remembering that the load on the seatpost tube spreads to the downtube, via the bb housing & also the chainstays in the case of a fixed backend.

[@reinholdachleitner2069]

Muito bom.💯👌🏻

[@mecdrox]

Where did you get those grommets from?

[@cesarmarcano9554]

Jared Stokes if you search on google for “Bicycle internal routing grommet” there’s a lot of different options

[@KXSWORKS]

Can i drill holes in steerer tube to make my bike fully internal cable routed? would the bends inside the head tube be too much for the shifters to work properly? EI: bind

[@KXSWORKS]

@@LoveMTB Check this image I'm pretty confident with my skills that i can do this but looking at those cables, are the angles too narrow? will they affect brake feel? (Im using mechanical brakes btw) www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn-0.gravelcyclist.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F04%2FFSA-ACR2019-1.jpg%3Fezimgfmt%3Dng%253Awebp%252Fngcb1&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lfgss.com%2Fconversations%2F353917%2F&tbnid=GNDpwBFZ-2MaKM&vet=12ahUKEwjf49TfyrDxAhVYzIsBHYWzBKEQMygBegQIARAj..i&docid=-bJihjCcMpSYPM&w=1200&h=800&q=fsa%20smr%20acr&ved=2ahUKEwjf49TfyrDxAhVYzIsBHYWzBKEQMygBegQIARAj

[@mickchaganis6607]

Good tutorial but can I ask because it looks so good with the grommet, why didn't you put an entrance and exit hole in the downtube?

[@mickchaganis6607]

@@LoveMTB thanks, just letting you know, I was not critising, just wanted to know before I started drilling. Today I've just done my old Rock hopper frame, rear brake cable and dropper post cable internal. I went in at the top of the downtube on one side, then out underneath middle at the bottom of the downtube around the outside of the bottom bracket tube then in at the bottom rear centre of the seat post tube. Worked really well. Ground off all external cable guides and V brake mounts, just preparing for spray now.

[@mickchaganis6607]

@@LoveMTB amazing how different it makes the frame look, totally updates my 2004 Rock hopper frame. Also if you want some info to file, 27.5 wheels fit the frame with about 5mm to spare with Scwalbe Rapid Rob 2.10 tyres.

[@raffitchakmakjian]

@@LoveMTB I don't think people are saying to route it internally through the bottom bracket. What they're saying is before you get to the bottom bracket, drill a hole in the downtube. Then drill another hole near the top of the downtube near where it meets the steerer tube. You would see a small section of cable going from the downtube to the seat tube.

[@gearstuffs8007]

Carbon frame can drill? My mojo first gen no hole

[@gearstuffs8007]

@@LoveMTB coz always controversial....A lot advice if drill on carbon surface it would 'crack' and won't punch through a drill hole as u mentioned.....

[@krinkedsurface]

Would it worth it to drill my Specialized Status 2?

[@Returnofthemac67]

I wouldn’t. Just route it externally.

[@Dragon1165]

Would you drill for all cables? Brake, shifting, etc... to clean it up? Can the frame structurally handle it on a mountain bike?

[@rustler08]

Nope. That's a ton of holes. Also, you lose serviceability by doing that.

[@soliranje]

Nice video but I would (it is only my idea) make anther 2 holes on downtube and and I would run the cable through it and make it internal.

[@cannedpasta7819]

@@LoveMTB how about on a road bike there is not theat mutch stress will it work?

[@hc7185]

@@cannedpasta7819 why would you need a dropper on a road bike? :D

[@cannedpasta7819]

@@hc7185 i was thinking to about making internal for the brake and shifters to make my old ocr 1 looking batter

[@emmanuelbarroba7275]

hope it works with my trek marlin 6 2020, im gonna do this tomorrow 🤞

[@emmanuelbarroba7275]

@@LoveMTB you really are an angel with wheels 🙏

[@audetnicolas]

Gutsy move! Two questions: (1) it's been more than a year now, anything has happened to the frame since? No cracks? (2) Did you drill a drainage hole in the bottom bracket in the end? Have you ever taken a look in it to see if water / gunk tends to accumulate in there?

[@audetnicolas]

@@LoveMTB Amazing... I would never have dared to drill a hole in a frame.

[@paulneumann7739]

@@LoveMTB Where do you put the drainage hole?

[@rwandnw]

Won’t this make the frame have a weak moment I have thought of doing this and also running brake cables down the down tube.

[@LezatoFriedChicken]

What is brand/type of your frame sir?, its look amazing for me

[@LezatoFriedChicken]

@@LoveMTB thank you so much, i apreciate it so much ☺

[@luchotan883]

Is it safe? Does it crack for a long time

[@1911Zoey]

Unless the bike is Specialized, Santa Cruz or a good mid to high end Trek then to hell with the warranty. I'm making a hole in mine too.

[@rowanfell5575]

Hello, none of the gromits you listed below fit the dimesions you have provided. What is the exact gromit you used please?

[@rowanfell5575]

Because I have made this hole in my frame and ordered the grommets you have listed and they are too big.

[@rowanfell5575]

Thanks for your response. I have some I have ordered here and they will nowhere near fit even at a squeeze (and boiled to made more malleable). I am going to try a different brand as these are clearly for a bigger dimension. Cheers anyhow, I'm happy with the hole I made from your video so far :)

[@themostwntedeh8367]

Im crying , my bike is a alloy doble suspensión with many weldings and its imposible , i used magnets and a hoover It didnt work

[@Velo1010]

I’m the factory I certain the holes in the frame are drilled, anyways.

[@mauriziogiannessi8858]

non riesco più a trovare i gommini passacavo , puoi aiutarmi? sai mica il codice del prodotto? www.tritoncycles.co.uk/frames-forks-c6/frame-fork-spares-c152/trek-oval-grommet-cable-guide-p17963

[@harryomahony]

Don't do this. It boids your warranty on the bike. Just get a wireless Post or go external routed

[@eXTreemator]

Stu

[@bradstudio]

Just buy a PNW Pine post...

[@eduardallenpisano4846]

why dont buy the internal cabling frame than drilling holes in your bikes

[@BMH1965]

This is so funny - have you heard about an external cable dropper!!!!

[@3548vr4]

Where did you buy the rubber inserts

[@medic292a]

Where did you get the grommet? Thanks