So what would you go for to future proof your next frame purchase, Internal or external dropper routing?
All the posts I have are external but droppers seem to be heading towards internal routing, so what would you choose?
I wouldn't bother trying to future proof too much. 'They'll' just change something totally random next to surprise us!
Both internal and external work fine, but internal every time for me. Just looks neater.
Incidentally I've now drilled holes in two perfectly good steel frames to accept internal dropper routing so whether the frame has it or not doesn't bother me much... 🙂
Depends how much you're bothered about aesthetics or not. Personally I think internal routing is the work of the devil. Minimal benefits other than aesthetic, but makes maintenance a royal PITA. And external routing doesn't look that bad and can look better if you're imaginative about the colour of cabling. Just look at the volume of posts of people complaining of rattling cables on internally routed frames and the absolutely bonkers solutions like "fill your frame with expanding foam". Utter nonsence. If you're going for a dropper that is cable actuated it really doesn't matter, but if a reverb with hydraulic actuation then go external.
Benefit for me is that I don't have a loop of cable pushing against my leg or buzzing the rear tyre under suspension compression. More hassle to install and maintain but worth it IMO. And coloured hose looks shit!
I'd choose one without routing for either.
Fox transfer external routing sits on post not at the saddle so no issues with buzzing the tire or leg and no raff to fit.