I can no longer put off my second-least favourite job of all - replacing gear cables. My rear cable is now a horrendous frayed thing and the outer is badly split. I can't put it off any more.
Before I take a deep breath I need to buy replacement cables and outers. With the possible exception of those Gore ones which are out of my budget, are all cables and outers pretty much the same?
(My least favourite job is replacing Avid brake pads, in case you were wondering).
+1 for the Avids, horrid things.
I'd go with Shimano SP41 outers, run continuously (use zip ties to fix to the frame if necessary), and for inners, well stainless steel is a must, and PTFE coated is even better.
Good luck
APF
Just put Jagwire Ripcord on for my rear meach so that it matches the gold braided brake hose that I have.
They work as well as anything else I have tried and come in lots of different colours too.
Transfil cables and outer are pretty cheap. I's what I use and I have no poriblems with them. Also use them in the shop.
Buy a 10m length of SP41 from parker and any old inner cable & fit a full run between shifters and mech.
Never seen the need to spend more.
I tried an XTR cable set on the recommendation of a friend. Chain Reaction were selling them for around £30. Expensive but very smooth shifts.
XTR + SP41 in 10 metres was a great purchase - the XTR fittings can then be swapped over when recabling so all you need for many years is the odd new inner (at whatever expense you like i.e. std, high Qual or coated) - cut the same lengths of SP41 and then just pull the rubber gromnits/cable ends over and hey presto 🙂
If its full length your after just get SP41 and a good qual inner - pref coated 🙂
Thanks chaps. Went for PTFE coated + SP41.
Swearathon due to commence at 10am sharp on Saturday.
Remember the ferrules need to be the sealed type (they have a brass and rubber ring in each one) as well as the rubber boot for the front mech outer end near the saddle. Shimano (CRC) do a 4-pack with noodles and boots, so use as appropriate.
Using SP41 with good cables will be wasted and short lived if you forget to seal the ends.
PaulD
Sorry to Thread J, PaulD, are those items you're talking about purely for where they connect to the derailleur? As opposed to where they connect to the shifters?
Thanks
g,
The 4-pack has 4x sealed ferrules with a noodle attached and 4 rubber boots.
You cut the noodle off (with scissors) where the cable goes into the shifter and at the rear mech, and do not use the rubber boots.
Rubber boot and noodle is needed for the front mech cable end under the saddle.
So, your 4-pack has all you need for a bike, and 3 extra boots and 3 noodles to be chopped off.
PaulD