Just opened the box and checked the instructions and it says there should be a protection cap for the lower mechanism (internal routed version)

Should this part be included or are the instructions out of date?

The first ascend XL that I bought didn’t have one (or if it did I binned it with the box before fitting). I’ve just bought a second one that I will be fitting to a different bike this weekend. I’ll have a look to see if the cap is included. However, I wouldn’t worry about it, I can’t see it providing any worthwhile protection, in fact even if one is included I doubt I would use it.

Like a rubber cap that protects in transit? If it’s not damaged, don’t fret.

My recently purchased XL never had the lower cover.

No it goes on after the cable. Probably protects against dirt/water

Mine didn’t have one either, not bothered.

mine didn’t either – I called Hotlines to see if it should, they said they don’t, and couldn’t really explain why it was shown in the manual. They also don’t have it as a spare, even if you did want one.

but, mine is exposed at the bottom and has been covered in crap and water, on many, many occasions over the last 2 months – it’s kept working no probs. I do give it a little squirt of GT85 after the bike gets washed down. If you’ve a sealed seat tube, I reckon it’ll be fine for ages, but maybe a little coating of light grease for peace of mind?

Cheers guys you save me a call 🙂

On my instructions it said the cap was optional so maybe yours had slightly older instructions or something.

Its not needed anyway so just fire on ahead without it.