Rebuilding Tri Bike….best cables and housings?

Triathlon Forum
1

I am rebuilding my Shiv. What are the best cables to use (for shifting)? I am not familiar with these components, but figured there is probably an upgrade to the stock Specialized cables. The Yokozuna cables appear to have the best reviews I can find online. Thanks

2

http://fairwheelbikes.com/power-cordz-derailleur-cable-set-p-1802.html
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3

Having used a few different types I now prefer Shimano stainless steel cables with PTFE coating - the ones made for Dura Ace.
Smooth shifting.
Housings and inner cables are perfect size match.
Long lasting.
Good value
e.g
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-road-gear-cable-set-with-ptfe-inner-cable/

4

I love the Jagwire products. Use them on both my bikes.

5

+1 on shimano with coating. great cables and housing. I am currently running Jagire slick now and its pretty darn close to shimano though for a lot less.

6

I am rebuilding my Shiv. What are the best cables to use (for shifting)? I am not familiar with these components, but figured there is probably an upgrade to the stock Specialized cables. The Yokozuna cables appear to have the best reviews I can find online. Thanks

I’ve tried the Yokozuna cables before and honestly didn’t notice anything in the way of improved shifting over Jagwire cables/housings (which work perfectly fine on both of my bikes). The coated Shimano cables are nice, as previously mentioned. They cost a bit more but, they do work really well.

7

Just overhauled a bike and used the jagwire complete kit (all the small ports too) and was really impressed! I have used the Shimano as well, which is solid too. But was more impressed with the Jagwire this time around.

8

I just went from Shimano to Jagwire and am impressed. Braking modulation is better and shifting is just as good.

9

Good luck finding a review for the Yokozuna Reaction kit on an actual internally cabled tri bike frame. Even their hard to find XL (extra long) TT kit maxes out at 1700mm (~67 inches) for the rear derailleur cable housing. You may be surprised how much housing you actually need to go from aerobar extensions to the rear derailleur. IMO, their brake housings are more trouble than they are worth it. Plus they come with mt bike ends on the brake cable rendering them completely useless for most brake levers used with base bars. Why on earth wouldn’t they have a road end on the other side making it a universal cable like most others?

I went back to Jagwire (no problems with Shimano) and never looked back. The segmented housing is cool, but I couldn’t afford to try and internally cable a bike with those.

10

I think the segmented housing honestly doesn’t belong on tri bikes. It just looks weird. Road bikes are better for that stuff.

11

Over the winter I re-cabeled my SC with both brake and shift with Alligator I-Links. I’m now switching it back to Jagwire because it’s more trouble than it’s worth. Also in order to effectively run the housings for the shifters you have to buy two shift cable kits.

12

I switched over to Nokon on my TT bike as it allows me greater flexibility in routing the cables from the bars into the frame. I went with white housing to match my frame but I should have gone with another color or black to hide the grime. http://www.nokon.com/NokonUSA_Home.htm

13

Thought I would follow up with what I went with, and my experience.

Well, I went to my LBS and they told me about the Shimano Polymer coated cables (I think they were $60 a piece….nuts.) Yes, I bought them. I run SRAM Red and had not been happy with the shifting experience. These cables made a huge difference. Big fan….now reduce your price Shimano!