I have no idea how people make cables last such a long time!
I change the rear derraillur cable (inner and the last loop of outer) on my winter/ commuting bike every 3000 miles.
I've had it snap in less miles than this at the shifter end and shifting quality is just starting to suffer due to gunk in the rear cable.
To buy enough shimano sp41 outer and a stainless inner to do the job costs about 3 quid. It takes probably 20 minutes to change it at most, which restores perfect shifting. In between changes, no further maintenance or lubrication is required.
I change the rear derraillur cable (inner and the last loop of outer) on my winter/ commuting bike every 3000 miles.
I've had it snap in less miles than this at the shifter end and shifting quality is just starting to suffer due to gunk in the rear cable.
To buy enough shimano sp41 outer and a stainless inner to do the job costs about 3 quid. It takes probably 20 minutes to change it at most, which restores perfect shifting. In between changes, no further maintenance or lubrication is required.