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Having fitted some generic compressionless outer less than a year ago (velovitality £6/m stuff), I found it better than traditional spiralled ting, however there is still some noticeable flex and therefore slightly squishy feeling at the lever (despite clean cuts and filing).
I've got cable oilers fitted to full length runs on both MTB & ahem 'Gravel' (I prefer 'Rough Stuff Tourer' just a bit too wordy innit!) bikes (after noticing cable sticking due to ice one cold winter's morning commute) and have mostly WD40'd (would rather not use Teflon-containing products where poss) periodically. Maybe this particular generic spray has degraded the liner, and or using cheapo inners- now I feel distinctively notchy, friction-filled sensation when pulling on the lever- sad face!
Either way, I'm at the point where I'm prepared to spunk a stupind amount of cash (on cables, jeez) in order to obtain a product that will provide the ultimate compromise between reduced compression and will also allow for the inner liner sheaths to be changed as and when needed.
I've seen the link style outers, ala Alligator, Nokon, Jagwire; also noted Jagwire do a spiral 'Road Elite' that allows sheath replacement- guessing too flexy for discs? Is there a braided-style outer that allows for the replacement of the inner liner? If not, I guess it's down to the link-style ones; price for these could well dictate which would be picked, although folk's real world experiences would be hugely appreciated to aid in this decision?
Help me please, thanks
I got a low compression outer from Charlie the BikeMonger (this is the second time I've had to pimp his wares in the last ten minutes but I'm not a shill, honest) whish really helped sharpen up the rear disc on my commuting bike. I didn't upgrade the front, now both lever have a very similar feel.
the liner isn't replaceable (I can't see that being practical or economic), but they are very stiff.
Thanks, but not really taken by the Gusset offering.
Being able to replace the liner means ultimately less faffing in the long run, and if you look at the price of replacement liner versus even cheap compressionless outer, it's more economical in the grand scheme, so that's a top priority for this objective.
Thanks again for chiming in.
If you are using drops then the cable run from the lever to the stem has to negotiate a very tight bend. The Jagwire kit replaces this part of the cable with a metal noodle. So far, it seems to have lasted pretty well. I don't know if the noodles are available separately but it would seem to me that this would be the first bit to deteriorate as the inner cuts a groove in the inner.
I've also taken to sticking a cable oiler down near the rear mech if that requires a tight loop as that makes replacement of that short section simple.
Hi Scotroutes, I hear you on that one, um, most likely some kind of v brake noodle bodge-mod could be used there if the stuff I get doesn't come with owt included.
I have my oiler for the rear derailleur just above the B/B, where water would concentrate, so yeah, it's a smaller run to replace, but I'm not fussed about shifting cables on this occasion, they don't seem to wear down as quickly.
In reply to myself and anyone else reading this, I think I may have come up with the best compromise solution...
As water ingress is almost inevitable in a mechanical brake system (even if the liner runs all the way from lever to claiper); I'm sure capillary action will, little by little, suck moisture into the system. I don't want frozen brakes.
Rear brakes, where I will be using cable oilers, I'm settling on 'jagwire road elite sealed brake kit', which has high quality spiralled outer, and allows for the inner sheath to be replaced- BAM!
Front brake, much easier to quickly remove the inner, blast the liner (if needs be) and refit an old rear-length inner, IMO. So for this uninterrupted section, where ultimate cable outer flex reduction is required, I'm gonna buy some of the linked stuff (whichever is cheapest). And again allows inner sheath replacement.
Hope this helps anyone else with the same obsessive semi-neurotic predispositions and queries! 😀