Cables for sram

[jack smith]

Came across some sram road components cheap, but i need to buy cables they say use gore cabled but they are rediculusly priced, i usually buy universal gear and brake outers and both sets of cables includinf rerrules and end crimps for around 8 quid but for this i want it as smooth as possible but still cheap, ive found jagwire stuff and can get them all for about a tenner but does anyone know what size sram groups need? And is there a noticible difference between galvanized and stainless. Standard and slick?

 

[PaulSecteur]

Personally, I have never got on with jagwire. It seems to wear and become sticky quickly. That's true for the stuff fitted to new bikes and the kits I have brought.

Others will disagree, but Im speaking of my own experience.

If you want the best shifting (Di2 excluded!) then you need shimano Sp41 outer cable with the shimano Teflon coated stainless steel inners (not just the stainless)
Not cheap, but sooo worth it!

 

[StuAff]

Gore pulled out (again) of the bike cable market a couple of years ago, though they're still doing them for SRAM. No, they're not cheap, nor are the equivalents from other makers, but they do last two or three times as long as the cheap stuff. PTFE liners, seals, etc really do make a difference.

 

[GrasB]

I use Transfil Stainless Steel 1.1 mm (SRAM/Rohloff) with Shimano outer cable. The extra 0.1mm of the Shimano spec inners seems to cause issues with longer terms cable life. I do however use 'grease' ports in my gear cables & flush with finishline teflon dry lube once a month.

 

[raleighnut]

Brake cable is pretty standard but use dedicated gear cable outers (marked Shimano SIS on their stuff) the way the outer is constructed is totally different between the 2 types (the universal is OK for 5 speeds and Sturmey Archer hub gears) and yes stainless inners are well worth the 50p extra each.

 

[migrantwing]

As you can see, each and everyone has their own personal choice/experience. SP41 is great, but pricey, as @PaulSecteur mentions. I use Jagwire Road Pro kits and they work well for me (Shimano 5700 components). Supposedly, Shimano cables are made by Jagwire anyway, so it's possibly all generic. Jagwire Ripcord inner cables are black and Teflon coated. Stainless cables are better than Galvanised. Any Jagwire stainless/coated cable will do the job. As mentioned above, SRAM seem to run 1.1mm cable as opposed to 1.2mm, but have never used SRAM so don't know what effect, if any, there is. I just can't see that much difference between one set of inner cables and another. Outers, possibly, inners, no.

 

[GrasB]

I find that 1.2mm cable frays in the rear shifter & on the rear mech shifting ramp, 1.1mm cable doesn't. The 1.2mm cable seems to be a little more springy than 1.1mm cable meaning the thicker cable can end up repeatedly taping a hard edge rather than gliding over it. The difference is felt after several thousand miles.