How often do you change your cable outers [road bikes]?

[mjr]

I suspect the cables on my 1983 3 speed are original and it sees regular use in all weathers. They're fine, no rust,, they get an occasional driible of oil.

Well worth giving them some oil, especially if yours is a SA or similar that "fails high" leaving you in top gear if the cable snaps.

 

[andrew_s]

I changed my gear outers a couple of months ago after the front one broke (new inners too).
That was after a bit over 6.5 years.

The outers were touching in front of the head tube where they crossed, and the plastic housing wore away allowing the longitudinal wires to spread out.

 

[coldash]

For me, whenever the shifting gets laggy. Last time was after about 5000 miles but it all depends. I buy a new cable set and replace the whole lot - it's cheap enough. I've never had a broken cable