Road Cycling - Duraace cables vs. the rest

I just recabled my bike using all Duraace cables. I gotta deal on them of course because I work at the LBS. It cost me $16 + taxes so $18.40 CDN. I saved 50% basically. Was this a wise purchase or should I have just botten the $1.50 cables. Remember, I'm a hardcore rider.

Cables are cables. They all serve the same function.

Dura Ace cables are nice. They are good cables that don't stretch much and the housings are high quality... I think they're pre-lubed too? XTR cable sets are really sweet, they have lubed end caps to seal out mud and suck in lube, the housings are sweet and the cables are a step up. DA cable set will probably perform better longer than a generic set but the generic works ok for Shimano. Now that you have DA, put generic on next time and see for yourself the difference. That way you can tell everyone if DA cables are worth it :)

Campagnolo cables, for campagnolo systems only, are REALLY nice. Campy cables are overpriced but if you use campy there is no substitute since they give you silky smooth feel and perfect fit.

Well guys, the sad truth is, They are grey. That''s it. shimano SIS cables are shimano SIS cables, some are black and some are grey, the only difference is the little seal cable cap you get with the XT and better and Ultegra and better. One thing I will say, the shimano cables, be they grey or black, do present less friction than others, therefore promote beter more crisp shifting at a wider range of temperatures.

Ahh well. Too late now to go back I guess. They do feel good though.

Brian that's a good choice,

Well, I don't know about DA, but in general there are differences in cables... mainly stainless vs. galvanized (actual cables, not the housing). Go for the stainless. They work smoother and last longer.

Both the black and the grey use stainless inner cables. brian, the grey is way more cool, when they get old and the sun gets to them they are still grey, the black turns a shade of dark grey. Good choice.
Pete

Do Shimnao and Campy actually make their own cables, or do they buy them from a cable manufacturer.
I use Clarks cables and find they work well.