XTR cables, how good?
phildavis
Posts: 164
How much of a difference, if any, do XTR (SIS) cables make to shifting?
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Qunatitively, around 17.8%
Figuratively, not much.0 -
phildavis wrote:How much of a difference, if any, do XTR (SIS) cables make to shifting?
to what?
a range from a lot to not much and nothing."Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
Parktools :?:SheldonBrown0 -
seemed a bit better, but that dont mean much, i reckon about 2.4%
better sealed, well seems so, so far
but i am running them on alivo 8 speed shifters/slx mech, so.....Giant Trance X0 (08) Reverb, Hope Hoops 5.1D, XT brakes, RQ BC, Works Components headset 1.50 -
Over decent SP41 housing nothing IMO, I'd rather change my cables more often. If you have horrible cables, then get some SP41 outer with stainless inners.0
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njee20 wrote:Over decent SP41 housing nothing IMO, I'd rather change my cables more often. If you have horrible cables, then get some SP41 outer with stainless inners.
Yep that is probably true or maybe little difference.
Have just gone XTR simply because I needed/wanted good Shimano cables quickly and that was what was available, they are great, but so is the shifting on my XT hardtail.
But as Nick says depends what you are comparing with.
If you have a 9sp Shimano setup with non-Shimano cables, ANY Shimano cables will make a substantial difference (improvement) to what you have. Same applies if your cables irrespective of what they are, are old/well used.
Really however I would say that there would be more of a difference between smart and not-so-smart cable routing and having the correct lengths than between XT and XTR cables.Giant Reign X10 -
How much are XTR Cables?Specialized Rockhopper Comp 2009.0
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IIRC <19.99 a set with all fittings.Giant Reign X10
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When they're new, nothing. When they're a winter old, quite a bit! Not as good as Gore sealed cables but so far I've never kept a build long enough for the cable performance to drop The inners are expensive though, but running a cheaper stainless inner in the XTR outers and seals works well too.
The kit is really annoying, it comes with a decent amount of outer but it's all pre-cut. So, if you're stringing up a full-length-outers bike, you can't use it at all. If they supplied the same amount but uncut you could at least do one cable run rather than wasting all that cable. And at best you'll be stringing up a standard cabled bike and you'll still be wasting loads more than you have to.Uncompromising extremist0 -
The only thing I buy from halfords is this.. as good as XTR at half the cost, very much recommended.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_186667_langId_-1_categoryId_2101530 -
I've just fitted XTR cables in full length SP41 outers to my new build.
It'll be finished tonight so I'll test how well they shift tomorrow0 -
GhallTN6 wrote:The only thing I buy from halfords is this.. as good as XTR at half the cost, very much recommended.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_186667_langId_-1_categoryId_210153
they are cheap. Will have to check them out.
grey though - hmm. Might look a bit gash against a carbon frame.
I was planning on going SP41 outers but what is the 'normal' inner to use with them? and what is the difference?0 -
Guys please enlighten me. Why do you need to replace old inner and outer gear cables if they are not frayed or damaged in any way and run smooth together? Whats the point im missing?0
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grey though - hmm. Might look a bit gash against a carbon frame.
The cable is actually black, must be a dodgy picture.Why do you need to replace old inner and outer gear cables
They stretch, they corrode, grit gets in and the performance degrades.0 -
coolboarder wrote:Guys please enlighten me. Why do you need to replace old inner and outer gear cables if they are not frayed or damaged in any way and run smooth together? Whats the point im missing?
The inner lining wears invisibly, the friction increases, the cable starts to "give", end result being that you can either set up your shifting so all the upshifts are perfect but downshifts don't want to, or vice versa. The reason being that (say) 2mm of cable movement at the shifter translates into (say) 1.5 mm at the derailleur due to the cable give. In my experience with several (but not all) alternatives, this is so critical that even brand new "premium" type non Shimano cables generally won't give perfect shifting with a Shimano 9sp setup.
So much so that Shimano are now moving almost double the amount of cable (as do Sram) on their new 10 sp setups as otherwise it would have been an impossible task to get perfect shifting.
Since Sram move more cable they are less sensitive to cable woes - a friend of mine replaced his when he very nearly needed two hands to change gear :shock:
But, in answer to your question - if your shifting is perfect, then no reason at all.
Oh and XTR cables come in both grey and black.Giant Reign X10 -
The thing about shifting is that it goes off slowly, so you tend not to think "THis is really sticky" or "This is shifting slow", you just get used to it over dozens of rides. Then you try new cables and suddenly you realise the old ones were shagged out.
But quality cables do last well, even without cable seals on the ends. And a wee bit of minor servicing can keep even basic cables lasting a long time. It's just, most people don't bother to service them til after they're starting to drag and by that time they're usually done in. I know that's what I do WHich is why my "replace the entire bike before the cables wear out" approach is so ideal! Uncompromising extremist0
