Bicycle Control Cables

[Wendelspanswick]

I need to replace all the control cables on my 1980's Claude Butler mountain bike, I can buy spools of 1.2mm (gear) and 1.5mm (brakes) wire rope inner cheaply enough on eBay but there is hardly any difference in price between stainless and galvanised, is it feasible to use stainless or is it more likely to work harden and fracture?

 

[mr haynes]

I would replace the inner and outer at same time. Complete cables from likes of Shimano, Sram, etc are not expensive.

 

[Cobbler]

I thought everything was stainless, haven't seen anything else for years. As Mr H says, I'd look at a set. Look on the Chain Reaction web site, I wouldn't bother to make up my own.

 

[Migmac]

I get all the stuff required for my sons mountain bikes from chain reaction. Gave up making the cables for brakes and gears, so much easier and quicker just to put ready made stuff on.

 

[postie jon]

I get all the stuff required for my sons mountain bikes from chain reaction. Gave up making the cables for brakes and gears, so much easier and quicker just to put ready made stuff on.

renew all ,inner and outer , lube with a bottle of rock n roll cable lubricant ,u wont believe the difference, i used it on both mine and the wifes timetrial bikes.
Rock n roll ,the king of lubes "cablemagic" www.rocklube.com clear bottle ,yellow lid, white contents.

 

[clift_d]

I would have thought that a bigger factor in whether you can use cable on the roll is the need for cast-on ends in most applications.

 

[chunkolini]

Try Shimano XTR cables from chain reaction. Pricy but last for years with very little maintenance and keep smooth shifting.

 

[bigegg]

it will make absolutely no difference, whatsoever.
unless you're wanting a yellow jumper?
and even then, you're better upgrading to a 1980s Gary Fischer, or a Cannondale

 

[chunkolini]

Disagree.
I spent seven years all weather commuting along filthy Herefordshire lanes. They are the only waterproof cables I ever found that work. Otherwise XTR is for silly showoffs.

 

[Scruffywelder]

I just use Clarks cables from either Chain Reaction or Wiggle. Their stainless inners seem to last well and aren't stupidly expensive. The outers seem to be holding up well so far too .

 

[bigegg]

Disagree.
I spent seven years all weather commuting along filthy Herefordshire lanes. They are the only waterproof cables I ever found that work. Otherwise XTR is for silly showoffs.

we'll have to agree to disagree.
I cycled over 150,000 miles from 1987 to 1998, year-round, in yorkshire - commuting, off road, and cyclo-cross.
I bought "whatever was available" (galvanised?) cables, and never had an issue.
hose pipe, deck brush, and a quick dab of coppergrease every week - whether it needed it or not

 

[MoreWellie]

my 35 year old Raleigh has stainless cables and just recently one of the barrel ends crumbled off the end of a gear change cable. I tried to get a replacement but all the cables I could find are thicker and cyclist friends were telling me to buy new gear change mechanisms complete with new style cables and handlebar levers

I ended up taking a piece of stainless rod, drilled it, cut it to length and then tigged it onto the end of the old cable, sorted

 

[Wendelspanswick]

Chain Reaction seem OK but I can buy a complete set on eBay delivered for £4.