[Closed] Drilling a hole in frame for internal dropper

I’d imagine aluminium will be fine. I’d be much too scared to drill carbon. I drilled my Five over a year ago just in front of the forward shock mount, turned out that’s where Orange put it on the newer models too! No issues, but it’ll obviously void your warranty....

Drilled my BFe for a Reverb Stealth.  Hasn't killed me, or the mate I lent it to (as his T275 snapped).  Yet.

slot is better than a hole (drill two holes and file out between them), makes the cable exit easier.

done two frames now, no problem on either. thought I'd got a crack after doing the last one but I think its just in the lacquer and isn't spreading.

Cheers for the replies guys

Think there was a thread on this a while ago. The other option seemed to be to use (frame dependant obv.) bottle cage mount holes as the exit point.

I've been wondering about this for my scott scale but I'm a bit reluctant in case it goes horribly wrong!

Did it recently on my Transition Bandit. Transition suggested the best place to do it on that frame (bottom front of seat tube).  After quite a lot of fruitless Googling for a suitable grommet, I stumbled on this page:

https://www.whyte.bike/shop/internal-cable-route-grommets

I ended up using this one:

WHYICR09 - ICR Grommet 4mm, 16mm Slot Rubber

end result looks very neat.

Try to do it between two weld lines as the frame will be stronger there.

rubber grommets from Amazon, part of a boxed set unfortunately.

Get a Magura Vyron 🙂

I've done it twice, both fine. What I learned from the first is, don't do it in the middle of the tube, it seems obvious but all it does is make drilling the slot/hole harder. (you want a slot or angled hole, because the hose goes through at an angle). Second time, I did it off to the left and just drilled a single hole at the angle the hose wants to be at- smaller, neater hole, and far less work, and the hose routes really nicely. And I put a wee plastic cap on it that I have no idea where I got it from.

So this could be ideal position between the welds. In fact how the **** do you upload a photo on this forum

I used a tree shaped die grinder burr to slot an alloy stumpjumper on the lower right side of the seat tube

All nice smooth edges and a nice angle for the cable. But obviously invalidates any warranty

If between welds is strongest point this is probably best place. What I'm worried about is if the frame been tempered after welding in that area?

Drilling a hole may cause micro cracks in that area due to the hardened material properties... micro cracking may occur which will propagate with each use.

Don't drill it there, that's too close to the welds and you probably want it a bit lower so there's plenty of room to to have the post well inserted and have a smooth cable angle out the bottom.

Just drill an angled hole offset to the side you want the cable to run. I bought a drilled frame, used it and later sold it with no issues and I've drilled one myself that's all good.

I'd go a bit further down the tube away from the welds if possible, but  then what's inside the seat tube at that pivot position?

I’d go a bit further down the tube away from the welds if possible, but  then what’s inside the seat tube at that pivot position?

See I think this is going to be an issue finding a dropper that fits. The tube is angled at that point so I ain't going to anything beyond that point. I already had the issue of my seatpost not going fully in to the tube. It extruded the frame by 80mm so I had to cut my seat post down. Could only take 65mm off it to leave the 100m minimum insertion. I would be keen to speak to anyone with a medium Bossnut V2 that has installed a dropper. I'll get a pic to show the angled point

Can see the angle here

If this gives you enough drop etc it's an elegant solution perhaps?. Brand X droppers are very reliable too, with 2 year warranty. Lots on the forum about them. Check fitment etc obvs.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/brand-x-ascend-ii-dropper-seatpost/rp-prod159176?gs=1&sku=sku584226UK&pgrid=55375185827&ptaid=pla-426330232450&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=PLA+All+Products&utm_medium=base&utm_content=mkwid|sWDAlvKDS_dm|pcrid|253998738371|pkw||pmt||prd|584226UK

If this gives you enough drop etc it’s an elegant solution perhaps?. Brand X droppers are very reliable too, with 2 year warranty. Lots on the forum about them. Check fitment etc obvs.

Cheers poop. When that says length 125mm is that how much goes in the frame?

No, that's the travel of the saddle. Find a figure for total length.

Those BX droppers are great. The cable run is nice and neat and they take about 15 minutes to fit.

edit- I've got a 31.6mm external one spare here if you're interested.

Those BX droppers are great. The cable run is nice and neat and they take about 15 minutes to fit.

edit- I’ve got a 31.6mm external one spare here if you’re interested.

Is it new mate? Do you know what length goes inside the frame ?

I think I need one with around 150mm travel. Does anyone know of an external dropper with 150mm travel?