What lube to use on shifter cables?

[Heel Drop]

When installing a new housing and cable do I have to use a specific lube for the cable ?

[ChUkKy]

When installing a new housing and cable do I have to use a specific lube for the cable ?

 

I never lube cables, it gives the $h!t more to stick to and clog up the housing

[rouxtjie]

I never lube cables, it gives the $h!t more to stick to and clog up the housing

What he said.....your first ride will be your only good ride...replace if they are sticky, although I have had better results with the teflon coated cables...tend to stay smoother for longer but doesn't eliminate.

[Eldron]

 

 

I never lube cables, it gives the $h!t more to stick to and clog up the housing

 

What he said. Most cable outers have a Teflon layer that is designed to run "dry". No lube needed.

 

If dirty - wipe as clean as you can and put back. New is better.

[Heel Drop]

thanks got new ones - so wont add lube :thumbup:

[rouxtjie]

thanks got new ones - so wont add lube :thumbup:

PS full cable outers from shifter to DR is also a great upgrade and gives dust less opportunity to get in...although not always possible on all frames

[Eldron]

PS full cable outers from shifter to DR is also a great upgrade and gives dust less opportunity to get in...although not always possible on all frames

 

Agreed!

 

Next best idea is Shimano's seal kit which uses an extended ferule and has a rubber glove that fits onto the extended ferule. Keep everything neat and tidy for 1000s of km.

[Heel Drop]

PS full cable outers from shifter to DR is also a great upgrade and gives dust less opportunity to get in...although not always possible on all frames

sorry for the ignorance , but I assume this is a different from the normal housing correct? Where do you get it and how is it different? All my cables run on the outside of the frame so should be fine if I understand correct ?

[rouxtjie]

sorry for the ignorance , but I assume this is a different from the normal housing correct? Where do you get it and how is it different? All my cables run on the outside of the frame so should be fine if I understand correct ?

No, maybe I didn't explain it correctly, its the same inner and no difference ito the outers, all that you do is that the outer runs the full course to the derailleur. On some frames you have to break the outers so the inner is exposed for a couple of cm while it navigates its way to the derailleur. If you can, run ONE outer from shifter to the derailleur, so there are two places the dirt can get it(where the inner enters the outer and where the inner exits the outer)...with multiple outer sections you create more chance of dust and grime to get in.

[T-Bob]

What he said.....your first ride will be your only good ride...replace if they are sticky, although I have had better results with the teflon coated cables...tend to stay smoother for longer but doesn't eliminate.

 

What he said about the thing that the other guy said in the first place.

[Eldron]

No, maybe I didn't explain it correctly, its the same inner and no difference ito the outers, all that you do is that the outer runs the full course to the derailleur. On some frames you have to break the outers so the inner is exposed for a couple of cm while it navigates its way to the derailleur. If you can, run ONE outer from shifter to the derailleur, so there are two places the dirt can get it(where the inner enters the outer and where the inner exits the outer)...with multiple outer sections you create more chance of dust and grime to get in.

 

Mr. Drop - running full outers is non manufacturer sanctioned after market addition :-)

 

Some people run a full outer cable from shifter to derailleur - you can either zip tie/tape the outer to various stops/brake hoses etc along the frame or if you're proper brave you can drill out the inside of the frame stops and route the outer through the stops designed for the outer.

 

It certainly keep them clean!

[Heel Drop]

No, maybe I didn't explain it correctly, its the same inner and no difference ito the outers, all that you do is that the outer runs the full course to the derailleur. On some frames you have to break the outers so the inner is exposed for a couple of cm while it navigates its way to the derailleur. If you can, run ONE outer from shifter to the derailleur, so there are two places the dirt can get it(where the inner enters the outer and where the inner exits the outer)...with multiple outer sections you create more chance of dust and grime to get in.

ok I see no mine is closed all the way :thumbup:

[Grebel]

Mr. Drop - running full outers is non manufacturer sanctioned after market addition :-)

 

Some people run a full outer cable from shifter to derailleur - you can either zip tie/tape the outer to various stops/brake hoses etc along the frame or if you're proper brave you can drill out the inside of the frame stops and route the outer through the stops designed for the outer.

 

It certainly keep them clean!

 

A real man would drill the frame.... Just saying.

 

After you have run full outers though there would be no logical reason to go back to the OEM split outer setup.

 

In my humble opinion of course........

[RichieT]

I learned a valuable lesson this week... and sorted out an issue I guess which should have happened ages ago...

NEVER USE NO NAME BRAND SHIFTER INNER OR OUTER CABLES...

 

For months now, I have been battling to get my XT/XTR shifters to work smoothly.

I've been struggling when moving down to smaller cogs... it "hangs" and the chain hops between two cogs. The tendancy then, is to start fiddling with the adjuster which just screws everything up, in all directions.

 

I've been using these Kevlar, Teflon "Space Age" "Sooper dooper" cable kits pushed onto me by one of my LBS's and using the lube, also recommended by them. But I think this just helps to clog up the system after a few rides.

I thought I was using a high quality system... but sadly it was junk.

 

In desperation after buying new derailleurs, cassette etc I decided to buy the genuine Shimano cable kit (the last thing I hadn't tried) and installed it this week.

It has a double sealing system so the moving bit of the cable remains totally covered and so I'm going to try running it with no lube.

Anyway my first ride yesterday, and what a difference... up shifts and down.. like butter! And the upshifts hardly need any effort at all. It's made my whole cycling experience 20 times better and well worth R250!

 

[JXV]

Agreed!

 

Next best idea is Shimano's seal kit which uses an extended ferule and has a rubber glove that fits onto the extended ferule. Keep everything neat and tidy for 1000s of km.

If you use that Shimano seal kit then you can also use a light grease in the casings. I use a grease gun to inject it before pushing the cable through.

 

The sealing kit prevents the grease drying out and also stops dust getting in and making grinding paste with the grease

[madmarc]

I used a small drill to drill out the cable holders on the frame and run full outers from the shifters, best upgrade you can do and no more dirty clogged shifter cables.