Safety wire replaced plastic tie-wraps on Pinkbike's iCD test bike. The short loops are used to conceal the sharp ends of the wire. It is worth noting that the cut-ends of plastic Zip-ties can also be dangerously sharp.
Step One: How safety wire pliers operate. A sliding latch (left) along the center of the pliers engages the handle to lock the jaws. Squeezing the handles together while sliding the latch towards the rear of the pliers latches them, (middle) and squeezing the handles again releases the spring-loaded mech. Pull the knob at the end of the tool and a twisted rod spins the pliers to wind up the wire. China Concertina Galvanizada Factory
Step Two: Cut about eight inches of wire to make looping it through the guide easier. Feed two loops of wire through the guide and around the housing. Use two pliers and work the loops so they are snug against the housing and tightly spaced. Avoid crossing the wires - it looks better that way.
Step Three: Pull the wires together and swing them towards the inside of the bike. Latch the jaws of the tool over both wires about 3/4 inch (20mm) away from the guide. Release the tool while pulling the shuttle knob to twist the wire (right). Repeat until the wires are snugly wrapped around the housing. Don't overdo it though, about ten twists per inch seems right.
Step Four: Cut the twisted wire 3/4 to 5/8 inches (20 to 16mm) from the guide and, using the small needle-nose pliers, roll the twisted end into a nice looking 'pigtail' loop. Finally, ensure that the pigtail is lined up straight and that the sharp, cut-end of the loop is set flush against the wrapped wires.
Double wrap the guide farthest from you and be sure to begin with enough wire. Next, pull the two wires tightly across to the next guide. Grasp the wires with the tool slightly farther away from the inside edge of the next guide to allow for twisting. Twist the wires until the first guide is snug and then double-wrap the second. Use pliers to snug up the loops towards the inside of the frame and then twist the second guide tight.
Clip the wires and then finish the job with a well-tucked pigtail.
Galvanized Mesh Safety wire used to tuck the cable in place on an XTR rear derailleur, and to locate Fox's iCD mode indicator on the shift-cable housing.