Bicycle Mechanics - What's the best shifter & brake cables to use?

I need to replace my shifter and brake cables on my *RoadBike*.

I've read about lots of people who used Jagwire and complained that they would never do that again.
I also read that several people who used DuraAce cables really like them.
There is another name that several people have used that they say are quite good, but the name escapes me....What to use..What to use indeed?.

105 STI shifters/Brakes, 105 Derailleurs front and rear, Ultegra 6600 brakes

The generic bulk die-cut stainless cables have never disappointed me. I used a few cable "systems" and in my opinion they absolutely suck. All Shimano cables are is die cut stainless cables.

GO stainless either for Shimano or for Clark's

http://www.clarkscables.com/

Most of the time I use generic slick galvanized cables from QBP.

They're cheap, they work just fine, and I can solder the cut ends so I can slide them back through the housings if I want and I don't have to mess with end caps

Brakes
http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=T1022

Gear
http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=T1023

Two cables per package, about $2

Free shipping and no sales tax

I do like the cables that come with the Campagnolo kits but I just can't see spending $40 for the set.

In regard to the comment about a lot of folks swearing off Jagwire cables, keep in mind that Jagwire make about 80% of the cables out there, including Shimano cables and the QBP cables.

I use jagwire regular brake and 5mm shifter housing along with their teflon coated inner cables and think they are fabulous. They do the job nicely with no fuss. Who could ask for more?

Just about any stainless steel "slick" inner cable works great. The "slick" cables are smoother on the outside than the regular cables and stainless is best in my opinion because they don't rust (teflon coated cables are usually just cheap carbon steel cables that have a coating on them that will wear off in short order thus allowing the cable to rust). For the outer cable, get the Shimano brand stuff. The generic cables tend to get stiff much faster than the Shimano brand stuff. Also, the outer cable for road bike shifters is smaller diameter than the off road stuff - 4mm vs. 5mm I think. The thinner cables work just fine and are less bulky which we all know makes you ride faster. ;)

Yep the stainless steel ones are the best.

Has anyone tried the Power-Cordz non-metal cables? Inquiring minds want to know
-a

Has anyone tried the Power-Cordz non-metal cables? Inquiring minds want to know
-a

I installed a set of shift cables on a mountain bike. They were a PITA to install at least for the first time. They are just a "teence" fatter than typical galvanized or stainless shift cables so I had to ream out the holes in the shifters by a tad. The instructions also say to loop them 180 degrees around the anchor bolt. I did that and had no trouble but another mechanic told me that not looping them is the road to failure.

I guess they must work OK, at least the guy who owns the bike hasn't complained about the shifting.

I installed a set of shift cables on a mountain bike. They were a PITA to install at least for the first time. They are just a "teence" fatter than typical galvanized or stainless shift cables so I had to ream out the holes in the shifters by a tad. The instructions also say to loop them 180 degrees around the anchor bolt. I did that and had no trouble but another mechanic told me that not looping them is the road to failure.

I guess they must work OK, at least the guy who owns the bike hasn't complained about the shifting.

Was it worth the work?

Was it worth the work?

Absolutely! It wasn't my bike and I get paid by the hour.

Absolutely! It wasn't my bike and I get paid by the hour.

Bwahahhahahahahahhahaaha!!!