Classic & Vintage - Brake cable and DR cable which is which

I bought Jagwire brake and derailleur cable from Sheldon and how do I tell which is which? They look identical except one has Jagwire printed on it and one looks like it is serrated then the red housing is poured around it. HELP

SB,

Are you talking cable or housing? In regard to housing, brake housing is larger in diameter and more flexible. Brake cables are also larger in diameter or thickness, and have a much larger end.

Just he housing is what I bought for both dr and brakes I have cable. Guess I'll measure the housing but the brake cable fit into both

For non-indexed shifters, the housing is interchangeable. If you got special housing for indexed shifters, the wire inside it is straight, the length of the housing. Brake housing has what looks like a slinky, under the plastic.

I measured the houseing and they are the same OD. I just bought the housing not the cables.

I measured the houseing and they are the same OD. I just bought the housing not the cables.

Well, I'm stumped. Is one more flexible than the other? I find derailleur housing to be stiffer.

I measured the houseing and they are the same OD. I just bought the housing not the cables.

The inner diameter is where the difference is. Take a fat brake cable and insert it in each housing. The housing causing the most drag is the one with a smaller inner diameter and is meant for the deraileurs with their smaller diameter cables.

If all else fails ask the seller.

I'll give it a try

DOH I feel like a fool sometimes. I checked the cables again and the one cable in definitely stiffer than the other so thats the DR cable. Thanks to PB for the spot on advice. Still no crankset. I'm gettin cranky myself :(