Sorry if this has been done recently but need some gear cables that work and won't break the bank.
I'd love some Gore ride on ones or XTR ones but is there a massive difference in quality over price if the ends are cut properly or use full length cables as using mountain bike and get pre stretched inners?
Are any on ebay any good or best to just get LBS ones?
Anyone advise?
XTR is a good balance- not too expensive, and basically all you really want is the sealed ends, they last forever so one set of XTR then just replace housings and inners as required in future.
Cheap inners, buy a big reel of SP41 SIS outer. Much better value in a bulk length. I got enough to last me many years and I just cut what I need. Pre cut packets you find in the high street are a rip off.
Pre stretched & teflon coated inner cables are not worth the money in my experience. I get the same results from standard cheap inners. Just make sure they are lubed well, and a good lubed outer will ensure that and guide the cable well, and a whole run outer will not get crud in it. I don't even bother pre stretching my cables. Just adjust as they run in if necessary, but they don't need much fettling.
Good sturdy ferrules also. I forget the stuff I got but it was a pack of 100 something that don't flex too much. The regular flexy ones I find split and then the outer frays.
And good quality cable cutters. And no that doesn't mean paying a premium for Park Tools. Yes they're good quality, but there are plenty that are also just as good for a fraction of the price.
Just out of interest, what lube do you use on your cables? GT85 type or a heavier "wet" chain lube instead?
any old cheap cables BUT full length outer...perfect
These seem to be a good match to the XTR coated cables
