MTB Gear Cables

[Dirtbreath]

I am wanting to upgrade my cables and am well aware that standard gear cable housing which is kept clean and dry will give good performance and will not cost an arm and a leg.

I am however wanting some feedback from people using Alligator, Nokon, Gore, Goodridge and any other alternative (supposedly better) housings and cables. Do these systems work better, longer, cleaner than standard systems? Why would you want to put these on?

 

Anyone using them and thinks that they wasted their money? Alternatively, anybody had maintenance issues that these cable systems helped solve?

[dylankeyter]

I have used Alligator Sleek Guide Cable Kit for about a year and no issues to date. It is very neat and works a treat, and at R140 it won't break the bank. You get different colours, gold silver and grey (and more I presume). The Ilink is a bit overrated in my opinion, it creaks and has a plastic feel to it, especially when maneuvering the handlebar.

 

The only drawback to Aliigator Sleek Guide is that they do not supply hydraulic cable to my knowledge, and if you run hydraulic discs you might end up riding with two different coloured cables.

 

[mrmed]

I've never tried the ones you've mentioned, all I can tell you is XTR cables and housings rock.

[Racer X]

Alligator's I-link sytem is amazing, slightly lighter than Nokon and definatley cheaper. The shifts are silky smooth and the kit definatley blings up any bike.

 

TokenFreak imports the Token veriosn of I-link so PM him as he may be able to get you some.

[Dirtbreath]

Thanks for the feedback.

 

I am currently running XTR which I am pretty happy with. Will only change to something else if it works better.

 

What I have found with XTR cables is that the pre-cut lengths in the kit don't suit my cable run. The housings are also standard (as in the same as their regular cables) so you buy the kit for the teflon coated cable and the sealed ferrules.

[Racer X]

Thanks for the feedback.

 

I am currently running XTR which I am pretty happy with. Will only change to something else if it works better.

 

What I have found with XTR cables is that the pre-cut lengths in the kit don't suit my cable run. The housings are also standard (as in the same as their regular cables) so you buy the kit for the teflon coated cable and the sealed ferrules.

 

I-Link works and looks better, also a lot lighter. You could throw in some Powercordz too.

[TokenFreak]

My personal opinion is to stick with the cables you know and have used until now if you are happy with their operation. Remember that all the fancy names for these cable sets are just gimmicks and offer some BLING for your bike. It all boils down to maintanance. If you clean and lube your cables on a regular basis a R10 cable will give you just as well a shift as a R100 cable....

[Racer X]

But they still don't look as good

[TokenFreak]

I know  Was just merely trying to make a point on behalf of the cyclists on here racing on a budget. Its really fine if you want to use cheaper cables and dont worry bout the BLING factor

[Dirtbreath]

OK, so what is being said here is that apart from aesthetics, given the same setup (sealed ferrules, housing length) all these systems should last the same time and require the same maintenance.

 

How often should you need to lube your cables?

 

Dylan, a year for Alligators? What maintenance in that time?

[Racer X]

I agree, can't afford them either. Just expressing my inner weight weenie/ bicycle magpie tendencies.

BTW where can you get gear cables @ 10 bucks each

[TokenFreak]

 

Well i would suggest to just squirt some lube into the housing once a week if you are near the coast but seeing as you are in Gauteng clean them regularly after rides and in dry conditions some lube every 2nd week should be fine, more often in muddy conditions as we have in winter down here in CPT

TokenFreak2008-07-20 07:45:33

[Hog_]

 

My personal opinion is to stick with the cables you know and have used until now if you are happy with their operation. Remember that all the fancy names for these cable sets are just gimmicks and offer some BLING for your bike. It all boils down to maintanance. If you clean and lube your cables on a regular basis a R10 cable will give you just as well a shift as a R100 cable....

 

Wow dude! WORST salesperson ever! Unless the cables you bring in are the R10 variety?

 

 

 

[TokenFreak]

Dude if you had a look at my prices you would know im not here to just sell my stuff at maximum profit as is the norm in SA!! Im also here to look after the interest of all cyclists as equals as not everyone can afford to spend mega bucks on their bikes!!! Alot of the guys here value and treasure their "cheaper" machines just as others Value their MEGA BLING machines if not more!!!  So if you can Afford my I-link cable set @ R850 then put your money where your mouth is

[Tumbleweed]

Dude if you had a look at my prices you would know im not here to just sell my stuff at maximum profit as is the norm in SA!! Im also here to look after the interest of all cyclists as equals as not everyone can afford to spend mega bucks on their bikes!!! Alot of the guys here value and treasure their "cheaper" machines just as others Value their MEGA BLING machines if not more!!!? So if you can Afford my I-link cable set @ R850 then put your money where your mouth is

 

 

 

 

how about a test set?

[Hog_]

 

Dude if you had a look at my prices you would know im not here to just sell my stuff at maximum profit as is the norm in SA!! Im also here to look after the interest of all cyclists as equals as not everyone can afford to spend mega bucks on their bikes!!! Alot of the guys here value and treasure their "cheaper" machines just as others Value their MEGA BLING machines if not more!!!  So if you can Afford my I-link cable set @ R850 then put your money where your mouth is

 

Well said!

 

Maybe one day, when I'm rich & famous and I'm building my Santa Cruz, I'll be able to justify a R800+ cable set. Unfortunately the 'goose is not nearly expensive enough to justify anything better than R10 cables. Not that I've ever had cable-related shifting troubles either, cause I'm one of those guys that values my 'cheaper' machine , so I maintain it.