I was moving my spare cx bike in the shed today and noticed the rear brake cable had seized, I think this is because it gets useful infrequently and the crap and water from cx and subsequent washing gets in and jams things up when it’s left for a couple of months. Would expensive cables such as the gore or jagwire help? I think it’s just got bog standard oe stuff on at present

Do you run full length outers? As far as I can tell, jagwire cables aren’t any better sealed, however they work well as they are compression-less. Gore might be better sealed but not sure.

Beware if you buy the jagwire pro road cable set that there’s not enough (if doing full length of outer) to do both front and rear brakes.

Yes full length outers.

OEM ones are often Jagwire as it’s cheap (though less so aftermarket) Shimano ones with stainless inners would be my choice. Outer and inner available separately.

Shimano stainless for me too, reasonably priced and work/lasts well.