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First Look: Park Tools save our sanity with the IR-1 Cable Guide

11.09.2014
by Trev Worsey

Among the endless rows of exotic and fantastically expensive bikes at Interbike, we chanced upon a really great inexpensive product, one that could literally save the sanity of the home mechanic. With most bikes now running internal cabling, anyone who has faced the dreaded task of replacing cables will have certainly started full of confidence, but after 20 minutes of fruitless poking and prodding would undoubtebly ended up a red faced, angry mess, unleashing a torrent of A-Grade swearwords while contemplating getting out the hacksaw

The Park Tools IR1 could save the sanity of many a home mechanic, when it comes to installing internal cables
The Park Tools IR1 could save the sanity of many a home mechanic, when it comes to installing internal cables

Legendary blue handled bike tool giant, Park Tools, has come up with a great solution to just this problem with their IR-1 kit. The IR-1 speeds the internal frame routing of electric wires, shift cable/housing, brake cable/housing, and hydraulic tubing on carbon fiber, Ti, and aluminum frames. The kit includes three plastic coated 250cm cables with attached magnets and unique fittings, plus an external guide magnet to speed operation. Opposite polarity magnets on cables seek and attach inside frame tubes, making it easy to route through frame entrances and exits.

You simply walk the guide down the inside of the frame with the supplied magnet.
You simply walk the guide down the inside of the frame with the supplied magnet.

Having changed more than my fair share of internal cables, I was blown away with the demonstration of this kit. Of course every frame manufacturer is different and some will still be harder than others, but being able to quickly draw the guide cable through the frame with the external magnet was brilliant. If you have internally routed steel frame you will be back to puffing and swearing, but luckily they are few and far between. The kit will sell for about $30 and comes with fittings for cables, gear outer and hydraulic brake hoses.

For more information, check out the Park Tools website.

Words and photos: Trev Worsey

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About the author

Trev Worsey

Trevor loves adventure. Whisky, riding his bike and everything in between. Though he was born in England, he believes he should have been Scottish. Besides being accustomed to bad weather he's a specialist when it comes to steep and demanding trails. Once, he was in love with competition and raced in the early years of the EWS, but now, at 41-years-old, he no longer has anything to prove. Nonetheless, demonstrating that you can teach an old dog new tricks, he continues to hold his own against the wild and fearless youth. As a reminder of his new role as a father, the words “Think about Brook." (his son) are inscribed on his top tube as a gentle warning against unruly riding. Together with his young family and two crazy dogs, you will almost always find him outdoors. Whether it's teaching Brook to ride trails, hammering out gravel loops, surfing, skiing or canoeing, he’ll be there no matter the weather, like a true Scotsman.

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