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I have just bought a Carbondale Trail and am going 1x11. The gear cable for the rear mech is exposed for most of its length and slides in a plastic guide below the BB. Am I being stupid in wanting to change this? And are there cable guides available that I can fit to the frame?
If you've got exposed inner cable runs, go for a sheathed system like Goodridge which keeps most of the cr@p out
My old hardtail has the same exposed setup, only has outers between the levers and the top of the downtube, runs under the downtube and through a little guide round the BB, then back into a short outer partway along the chainstay.
It's worked brilliantly for 18 years. Keep it clean and it shifts well. The little rubber sheaths at the end of the chainstay outer keeps crud out.
My CX bike has full outers, it's good but not so much of an improvement I'd want to retrofit my old hardtail.
Guess it depends on what you're riding and how often. I'd not bother and see how it goes.