Shimano STI cable issues

[jessand]

Hi All

I have Tiagra 4700 STI's which suffer from the well known issue of cable breaking inside the levers. Does this problem extend to all Shimano under bar tape sti's or are Tiagra's worse. I struggle to get 12 months on the rear shifter (about 4000 miles). I'm using recommended optislick cables.

I'm considering moving to 105 if they don't have this issue. I'd value your feedback/experience on this. Thanks

 

[ianrauk]

For what it's worth, I've never had this problem with 105 or Ultegra levers.
I would say however that the cables are the problem not the Tiagra levers.

 

[T4tomo]

Interesting question, I had to pick the pieces of cable out when it happened to the OH's 4700 RHS shifter, which I managed successfully.

I have Ultegra 6800 and haven't had a shifter cable go.

 

[jessand]

For what it's worth, I've never had this problem with 105 or Ultegra levers.
I would say however that the cables are the problem not the Tiagra levers.

Are you suggesting using something other than Optislicks Ian?

 

[ianrauk]

Yep, stick to Shimano cables.

 

[jessand]

Ian, I'm using Shimano cables - the ones they supply with the shifters. Made for road sti's to ensure smooth shifting (and cost a fortune!)

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Hi All

I have Tiagra 4700 STI's which suffer from the well known issue of cable breaking inside the levers. Does this problem extend to all Shimano under bar tape sti's or are Tiagra's worse. I struggle to get 12 months on the rear shifter (about 4000 miles). I'm using recommended optislick cables.

I'm considering moving to 105 if they don't have this issue. I'd value your feedback/experience on this. Thanks

A friend had it happen in 105 shifters last month.

 

[ianrauk]

Ian, I'm using Shimano cables - the ones they supply with the shifters. Made for road sti's to ensure smooth shifting (and cost a fortune!)

Ok, then on that case I'm at a loss unless otherwise is a faulty shifter.

 

[jessand]

Thanks anyway Ian.

 

[wafter]

I have R7020 (hydro) 105 on the CdF that's lasted for about 4300 miles with no obvious issues; although I've not checked the cables - presumably you'd expect to see fraying / partial breakage before they failed completely..?

 

[I like Skol]

I swap out the coated cables at install as IME any friction coating flakes off at the tight turn spots and actually give worse shifts, not better. Plain stainless steel genuine Shimano cables give the best long term service and give 2-3 yrs even on the commuter.

 

[I like Skol]

I have R7020 (hydro) 105 on the CdF that's lasted for about 4300 miles with no obvious issues; although I've not checked the cables - presumably you're expect to see fraying / partial breakage before they failed completely..?

Failure is usually a rapid affair from fine to failed in a couple of hundred miles or less. Whenever I have managed to find a cable in a frayed state prior to breakage it has manifested as poor shifting on the previous couple of rides. You would be lucky to find a frayed cable during routine inspections.

 

[T4tomo]

Failure is usually a rapid affair from fine to failed in a couple of hundred miles or less. Whenever I have managed to find a cable in a frayed state prior to breakage it has manifested as poor shifting on the previous couple of rides. You would be lucky to find a frayed cable during routine inspections.

^^ This. On the OH's it just stopped down shifting. It turns out the down shifting was a bit sticky on a few previous turbo sessions, but she hadn't mentioned it at the time, onlywhen it stopped working completely!

 

[Alex321]

I have had it happen once with my 105 shifters - with the LH (front) shifter. That is in over 11,000 miles on this bike.

 

[wonderloaf]

Had this happen a few times on my Ultegra R8000 RD, so now frequently inspect and change every year ( circa 4000 miles) needed or not. Strangely the best cables I've found are the stainless steel ones by Clarks from Halfords, theyre a bit thinner than Shimano and seem to shift better and last longer.