Gear cables

[billy1561]

How long should these last between being replaced. I have had my bike indexed a couple of times because of cable stretch. Done about 1600 miles on them so far. Would it be a mileage thing or length of time or simply when the shifting becomes ragged?
Thanks.

 

[cyberknight]

Once they have stretched a few times they should last a fair while apart from water /dirt getting into the outers causing issues they should be ok.
On my commuter i replaced the RH cable+ outers after maybe 10 times your distance.

 

[billy1561]

Didn't realise they were good for that long. Cheers!

 

[youngoldbloke]

Still using the original gear cables on my 1993 Peugeot 525 Comp.