Cable Quality?

02-05-2007, 03:47 PM

What's the general wisdom on cable quality? In the past I always just
got them at the LBS, where my options were "shifting or braking".
Looking at some online retailers now as well as at a bigger, better,
not-quite-local shop has me looking at options. What's the difference
between a $.99 cable & a $9.99 cable? Are all the brands the same
cable in different packaging, or are a few companies making their own?

Part of me says that I should use XTR cables on XTR parts. Another
part of me says I should spend $.99 instead of $9.99 per cable since I
can't afford the $ I put into this hobby as is.

Thoughts?

02-05-2007, 05:34 PM

On Feb 5, 4:47 pm, "[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
> What's the general wisdom on cable quality? In the past I always just
> got them at the LBS, where my options were "shifting or braking".
> Looking at some online retailers now as well as at a bigger, better,
> not-quite-local shop has me looking at options. What's the difference
> between a $.99 cable & a $9.99 cable? Are all the brands the same
> cable in different packaging, or are a few companies making their own?
>
> Part of me says that I should use XTR cables on XTR parts. Another
> part of me says I should spend $.99 instead of $9.99 per cable since I
> can't afford the $ I put into this hobby as is.
>
> Thoughts?

Well, for starters, some cable housings are compression resistant, and
some are not. Tom

02-05-2007, 05:35 PM

On Feb 5, 4:47 pm, "[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
> What's the general wisdom on cable quality? In the past I always just
> got them at the LBS, where my options were "shifting or braking".
> Looking at some online retailers now as well as at a bigger, better,
> not-quite-local shop has me looking at options. What's the difference
> between a $.99 cable & a $9.99 cable? Are all the brands the same
> cable in different packaging, or are a few companies making their own?
>
> Part of me says that I should use XTR cables on XTR parts. Another
> part of me says I should spend $.99 instead of $9.99 per cable since I
> can't afford the $ I put into this hobby as is.
>
> Thoughts?

Try the .99 centers first anyway, eh? Tom

02-05-2007, 06:29 PM

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] wrote:
> What's the general wisdom on cable quality? In the past I always just
> got them at the LBS, where my options were "shifting or braking".
> Looking at some online retailers now as well as at a bigger, better,
> not-quite-local shop has me looking at options. What's the difference
> between a $.99 cable & a $9.99 cable? Are all the brands the same
> cable in different packaging, or are a few companies making their own?
>
> Part of me says that I should use XTR cables on XTR parts. Another
> part of me says I should spend $.99 instead of $9.99 per cable since I
> can't afford the $ I put into this hobby as is.
>
> Thoughts?

XTR cables are a waste of money. Going with standard stainless steel cables
of the appropriate type (derailleur or brake) will give you performance that
is just fine. If you ride in wet or muddy conditions, running full-length
housing will cause fewer problems.

Avoid galvanized cables. These have a dull grey look, whereas stainless
cables will appear shiny. Lined housing is a must. Some places sell cheap
housing without a plastic liner. Consult sheldownbrown.com for more info.

--
Phil

02-05-2007, 06:30 PM

tom wrote:
> On Feb 5, 4:47 pm, "[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>> What's the general wisdom on cable quality? In the past I always
>> just got them at the LBS, where my options were "shifting or
>> braking". Looking at some online retailers now as well as at a
>> bigger, better, not-quite-local shop has me looking at options.
>> What's the difference between a $.99 cable & a $9.99 cable? Are all
>> the brands the same cable in different packaging, or are a few
>> companies making their own?
>>
>> Part of me says that I should use XTR cables on XTR parts. Another
>> part of me says I should spend $.99 instead of $9.99 per cable since
>> I can't afford the $ I put into this hobby as is.
>>
>> Thoughts?
>
> Well, for starters, some cable housings are compression resistant, and
> some are not. Tom

Therein lies the difference between derailleur and cable housing. It's hard
to get them mixed up.

--
Phil

02-05-2007, 07:57 PM

On Feb 5, 7:30 pm, "Phil, Non-Squid" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote:
> tom wrote:
> > On Feb 5, 4:47 pm, "[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
> >> What's the general wisdom on cable quality? In the past I always
> >> just got them at the LBS, where my options were "shifting or
> >> braking". Looking at some online retailers now as well as at a
> >> bigger, better, not-quite-local shop has me looking at options.
> >> What's the difference between a $.99 cable & a $9.99 cable? Are all
> >> the brands the same cable in different packaging, or are a few
> >> companies making their own?
>
> >> Part of me says that I should use XTR cables on XTR parts. Another
> >> part of me says I should spend $.99 instead of $9.99 per cable since
> >> I can't afford the $ I put into this hobby as is.
>
> >> Thoughts?
>
> > Well, for starters, some cable housings are compression resistant, and
> > some are not. Tom
>
> Therein lies the difference between derailleur and cable housing. It's hard
> to get them mixed up.
>
> --
> Phil- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Oops. I got excited about housings. Tom