Originally Posted by
jimincalif
Anyway I've got to order a new spare, any recommendations on the best mix of price, performance and longevity?
I went to my LBS, talked with the mechanics and replaced the cable. The 'chief tech' said there is no significant difference b/w cables and there is nothing fancier one can get to reduce the frequency of failures, it's just the nature of STI shifters, how they're configured and one just has to put up with it.
He recommended against regularly applying lube, didn't think it would extend the life of the cable and it would "probably just end up making the mechanism gummy".
I normally would take his advice with a grain of salt, but he's a former pro downhiller, and cat 2 road racer, now a USA Cycling certified race mechanic. So, yeah, I think he's worth listening carefully to. I'm not saying he's
right, but definitely worth taking his advice very seriously.