Are all bike shifter cables the same?
Are all bike shifter cables the same?
No, all shifter cables are not the same. If after inspecting your shifter cables, you discover they are frayed, bent, or rusted and need to be changed, you can’t just buy any shifter cable you see out there. Different bikes have different shifters, which determines the type of shifter cables to be used on them.
Is there a difference between brake cables and gear cables?
Gear cables are wound through particularly tight curves within the shifters too, which means there’s a lot of potential for wear. Brake cables normally have an easier time of it because their runs are straighter, but there’s much more force travelling through them.
Does bike cable Quality Matter?
The increased corrosion on these cables means that they wear out faster, and although low quality cables may be slightly cheaper at the time of purchase, in the long run they may cost you more money as they will need replaced more regularly than a higher quality stainless steel cable.
Are Shimano and SRAM cables the same?
Shimano designed their housing to be used with their polymer-coated cables and SRAM has a similar system. Otherwise, I use 4 and 5 mm polished stainless steel cables, often in 3,300 mm length since most bikes have internal routing nowadays.
How long do shifter cables last?
With that being said, your shift selector cable doesn’t have a specified lifespan. It lasts as long as it lasts. In most cases, you should get at least five to eight years out of it, but premature failure isn’t uncommon.
How long do Bicycle shift cables last?
the front shift cable also lasts years. the rear, it depends on which bike, but generally lasts 1.5 to 2 years. after the initial cable stretch, there is nothing to be done for a long, long time.
Does shifter cable housing matter?
shifting cable housing doesn’t make much of a difference (be it spiral wound or linear wound) as long as it has teflon coating on the inside (bowden or whatever it’s called) and proper caps installed. the inner cable is the important one. shimano teflon coated cables don’t rust, stretch less and run smoother.
How often should you replace shifter cables?
It really depends on the amount of use. Every 2 years sounds good. My rear usually fails in that amount of time. If you are looking for durability, sealed cables are known to last a long time.
Can you use Shimano shifter cable on SRAM?
They work best with the SRAM Slickwire housing. ET: I prefer to keep cables and housing brands matching. Shimano designed their housing to be used with their polymer-coated cables and SRAM has a similar system.
Is Shimano compatible with SRAM?
SRAM’s cassettes and chains are compatible with all of Shimano’s groupsets, and vice versa. Likewise, Shimano and SRAM buyers have the freedom to mix different levels of chains and cassettes so long as they are designed for the same kind of transmission.
Do Shimano shifters wear out?
Yes, they do wear out -some faster than others- but you should be fine sticking with what you have.
How often should you change bicycle cables?
5000 to 6000 miles is a good time frame to replace the cables. Other wise wait till they brake and either have a good stiff pedal in or nice easy spin, depending on the broken cable.
How often should you replace your shifter cables?
Should I replace my bike cable housing?
Housing most commonly needs replacement when the lubrication in the liner has washed or otherwise worn away, or if contaminants have worked their way inside. Either of these is difficult to see, but will affect the movement of the cable within the housing.
Are SRAM and Shimano cables the same?
Are road and MTB gear cables the same?
One major difference in MTB vs road BRAKE cable is the different sizes and styles of head: road cables have mushroom like ends where as MTB brake cables have barrel like ends. Shifter cable ends are the same.
Do pro cyclists use electronic shifting?
Professional cyclists race on electronic drivetrains throughout the season, but once or twice a year you’ll see some of them swap back to mechanical gearing for the cobbled classics (e.g. Paris-Roubaix).