Just fresh to hand in the December 2003 issue of Tour Magazine (Europe's #1 Race Bike Magazine from
their front cover) there's a test of shift cables (not brake). As usual their tests are very
detailed and scientific, but cutting to the chase they say:
BBB Speedline: Recommended Campagnolo Record: Recommended Campagnolo Centaur: Recommended Gore
Ultralight: Limited Recommended Core Ride On: Recommended Jagwire Hyper: Limited Recommended Jagwire
Universal: Highly Recommended Nokon: Recommended Point IFSP: Limited Recommended Shimano XTR:
Recommended Shimano Dura Ace: Highly Recommended Shimano Standard: Not Recommended
The test was: A semi-automatic pnumatic machine that pulled all 14 cables in parallel around two
180deg bends, one tight, one wide. Each cycle was 1500 dry shifts and 800 wet shifts followed by
addition of sand quarz. There were 4 cycles that were measured. Then sand was blasted at the cables
for the following 2000 dry and 800 wet shifts. The friction in each cable was measured separately
following each cycle, to give five measurement points. The test was repeated for three examples of
each cable type and average results were provided.
Please note these are not my personal opinions. They are directly quoted from pages 42 & 43 of
above magazine.
Good Luck.
"Arthur Harris" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I plan to replace my gear and brake cables over the winter. For one thing,
I
> don't want the gear cables to start breaking up and jamming the STI
levers.
>
> I've noticed that you can buy Shimano replacement "cable sets" or you can buy generic cables and
> housings
>
> Is there a good reason to buy the genuine Shimano stuff? Do the generic cables have the correct
> "barrel" ends to fit STI levers (both brake and shifter)? Are Campy cable ends different that
> Shimano?
>
> Thanks, Art Harris