Bicycle Mechanics - derailleur cable routing: full length housing or not?

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yairi
02-23-07, 11:47 AM
OK so I'm building up a new bike with internal cable routing. I have fittings to guide a full-length cable housing. Alternatively I can buy internal cable stops so the housing would be about the same lengths as usual except that the bare cables will be inside the down tube. They're pretty pricey though for a cheapskate like me ($11 each and I'll need four). Would shift quality improvement be significant with the internal cable stops versus full-length housing? $44 worth? The rest of the bits are Dura-Ace barcons and Ultegra derailleurs, Dura-Ace cassette, KMC chain. The barcons will be at the end of aerobars so if I go full-length housing that'll be a long stretch of housing.

Sheldon Brown
02-23-07, 12:25 PM
OK so I'm building up a new bike with internal cable routing. I have fittings to guide a full-length cable housing. Alternatively I can buy internal cable stops so the housing would be about the same lengths as usual except that the bare cables will be inside the down tube. They're pretty pricey though for a cheapskate like me ($11 each and I'll need four). Would shift quality improvement be significant with the internal cable stops versus full-length housing? $44 worth? The rest of the bits are Dura-Ace barcons and Ultegra derailleurs, Dura-Ace cassette, KMC chain. The barcons will be at the end of aerobars so if I go full-length housing that'll be a long stretch of housing.
Actually, full-length housing would probably result in better, more reliable shifting if there is any difference at all...if you don't mind the extra weight.

I consider internal cable routing extremely lame, putting styling ahead of functionality.

Sheldon "Protected From The Elements" Brown
yairi
02-23-07, 12:29 PM
Good enough for me, thanks.

lowbike
02-23-07, 01:43 PM
Hello:
just be sure to lubricate all of your cables and not with grease, use Triflow or a cable lube.

Thank you
Earl
HillRider
02-23-07, 04:04 PM
I consider internal cable routing extremely lame, putting styling ahead of functionality.

Sheldon "Protected From The Elements" Brown

I sure agree with this appraisal. I had a Trek with the rear brake cable routed inside the top tube and it was an annoying PITA. It accomplished nothing useful and just made maintenance more difficult. Run the full housing and save your money on the adapters.