I want to replace the gear cables on my wife’s bike, I’ve always used Gore ride on cables or Shimano XT! Does anybody have any other suggestions for smooth trouble free shifting?

SP41 outer, Shimano inner, cablemagic lube.

^^ +1
Also use either Shimano sealed ferrules and / or full length outers.

Yup SP41 + the o-ring ferrules

SP41 unless you want some bling, in which case Jagwire seems to work well.

Stainless steel inner cable is far superior to the standard galvanised stuff. Shimano outers are good but I find most stuff is OK.

Shimano Teflon coated cables are also recommended.

10 cables for £4.00 on ebay for my inners… do the job perfectly well 🙂 Full length outers of whatever I have to hand.

I use anything with a smear ov petroleum jelly rubbed into any open ends .

And gear cables?

You can find the whole set of XTR cables on eBay for just over a tenner. Inners, outers, ends, ferrules, sealing hoods…

I does come with pre-cut outers though!

Another vote for Shimano SS inners, which are more flexible and shiny than standard shop cables from the big box. I actually polish mine then wax them lightly with Mr Sheen rubbed along them before I fit because the fully-hidden rear gear cable on my roadie is awkwardly routed and shifts poorly. I also waterproof the outer cable ends at the rear derailleur with lanolin or petroleum jelly to keep out the damp, which rusts the ends and cruds everything up causing poor shifting. This treatment seems to have improved matters, for the summer at least.

Sp41 outer…BUT, use 1.1mm inners rather than most which are 1.2mm, and enjoy the lightest most durable shifting you ever imagined. Really, it’s hugely bettererer

Where do you buy 1.1mm inner cables?

Sp41 but with Jagwire Slick & Stainless cable, these have gone through a smoothing die. I don’t like coated cables seems to come off after a while.

Just google it, there are a few places. And make sure it’s full length outers you use. My current cable on the trail bike must be the same on from last autumn and it shifts like the day i fitted it

Transfil Mudlovers

Same as the Gore Ride Ons. Half the price.

uberbike ones for me

Doesn’t matter much as long as you pop some Middleburn cable oilers on there, they’ll last and shift smoothly for ever.

Best thing about sp41 and 1.1mm is each end will cost about £5, no need for anything else and it really does last a long time. I’ve tried various cable kits in the past and nothing comes close to this beautifully simplistic combination. No need for cable oilers as no crud or water gets in there in the first place.

SP41 and KCNC inners.

If feels tight for a few rides then loosens up nicely.