front derailleur cable wear

[brussel]

I have an anthem X and I find that where the cable does a 90 degree bend at the seatpost, the cable outer wears very fast.

 

 

 

If I put a new one on within 2 weeks it has gone from silky smooth to a slightly ratcheted or bumpy feeling as the inner has worn through the low friction lining of the outer.

 

 

 

If I turn the outer cable so that the inner runs on another part of the outer then it is smooth again - for 2 weeks until it grinds through the teflon layer inside.

 

 

 

any ideas on what to do to solve this or is this just part of the deal?

[Johan Bornman]

It is a very common problem on MTBs. It can be improved by creating a larger loop but I find the biggest improvement is to run continuous cable all the way from the shifter to the cable stop at the end of that little piece you're talking about. That elilminates dirt getting inside and abrading the lining.

 

You should also only use the absolute best quality inner cable. Cheaper cable is galvanised and extrememly abrasive to start off with. Better stainless cables are very smooth. Don't bother with cables sporting frying pan coatings. Those abrade away very quickly.

 

 

[brussel]

I actually thought a shorter loop might be better in that it moves then through a smaller angle? Full cabling is the shiz, I have it on my rear derailleur.

 

 

 

I always use a good quality inner....I have used both the Teflon and normal stainless and have not noticed any difference, although as you commented the Teflon wears off so fast that I cannot see it really helping things....

[Johan Bornman]

You want a larger radius in that loop.