Bicycle Mechanics - Jagwire or Shimano?

For a road bike, which is the best cable?

Not meaning to hijack the thread...but can someone explain the application difference of 4 and 5mm SIS cable?

I have no opinion on Jagwire vs. Shimano. I've used both and been fine.
4mm and 5mm refers to the external width of the shifter cable housing, but the internal width around the cable is the same. I think the functional properties aren't meaningfully different between 4mm and 5mm housing.

Well, the 4mm housing would be reserved for derailleur-cables, whereas the 5mm would denote it's use for brake-cables - which has to be stronger/heavier than derailleur-cables. They even come in larger sizes.

You can use a brake-cable to shift your gears. But don't use gear-cable for your brakes. No. No. No.

Well, the 4mm housing would be reserved for derailleur-cables, whereas the 5mm would denote it's use for brake-cables - which has to be stronger/heavier than derailleur-cables. They even come in larger sizes.

You can use a brake-cable to shift your gears. But don't use gear-cable for your brakes. No. No. No.

But there is also 5mm derailleur-specific cable housing out there. Not as common as 4mm, but it's out there.

As for Jagwire, I used it on my '97 Pinarello with 2009 Campy Centaur because I had it in the white color. It works great. The cables are Campy, only the housing is Jagwire:

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp226/wellbiked/DSC02022.jpg

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp226/wellbiked/DSC02024.jpg

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp226/wellbiked/DSC02027.jpg

http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp226/wellbiked/DSC02031.jpg

Well, the 4mm housing would be reserved for derailleur-cables, whereas the 5mm would denote it's use for brake-cables - which has to be stronger/heavier than derailleur-cables. They even come in larger sizes.

You can use a brake-cable to shift your gears. But don't use gear-cable for your brakes. No. No. No.
I figured that WNG (the 2nd post) was asking about the difference between 4mm and 5mm shifter cable housing - he asked about SIS cable which is shifter stuff, and since he said 4mm and 5mm I figure he meant housing.

before indexed-shifting, the needs of brake and shifter-cable housing had only to do with differences in force (through cable tension), as Panthers007 says. But since the advent of indexed shifting and its need to keep precise cable-pull increments, brake cable housing and shifter cable housing are very different animals. brake cable housing has less precision under compression than modern shifter cable housing.
brake cable housing can be used for shifters, but ideally only with non-indexed shifting (as I do on my Schwinn Traveler (http://www.unc.edu/~cupery/pics/bikes/Schwinn_Traveler/)).

brake cable housing is nearly always 5mm outside width.
shifter cable housing comes in 5mm or 4mm outside width, as my earlier post assumed and well biked noted. So far as I know, there is no functional difference between 4mm and 5mm cable housing.


and well biked: your pinarello build is absolutely gorgeous. kudos.

i don't care if it's either - only that it's stainless

(have used both)

and well biked: your pinarello build is absolutely gorgeous. kudos.

Thanks, I have to admit I look for every opportunity to post pics of it-:D

Well, the 4mm housing would be reserved for derailleur-cables, whereas the 5mm would denote it's use for brake-cables - which has to be stronger/heavier than derailleur-cables. They even come in larger sizes.

You can use a brake-cable to shift your gears. But don't use gear-cable for your brakes. No. No. No.

There's truth in what you say, but it's not entirely true anymore.

Compressionless 5mm housing is now available that is suitable for either derailleur or brake applications. I've got a few feet down in my shop right now. I suspect it was developed because cable disc brakes function much better with compressionless housing.

Jagwire is considered an upgrade.

Dura-Ace on one bike, Jagwire Ripcord on another. The Jagwire seems a little nicer but I have no complaints about either.

Beware if you get the Jagwire in kit form, they like to minimize the amount of cable and housing you get-- so if you have wide bars and/or a full length housing run and/or bar end shifters you may come up short. They'll send you a refill kit if you email them.

I prefer Shimano, especially for housing, but Jagwire has improved their product over the years and makes some pretty decent cables now. Whichever you buy, make sure they're stainless steel. It's worth the couple bucks more.

I prefer Shimano, especially for housing, but Jagwire has improved their product over the years and makes some pretty decent cables now. Whichever you buy, make sure they're stainless steel. It's worth the couple bucks more.

I think that Shimano cables are made bt Jagwire.......

anyone know of a decent brake cable/housing deal online?

I like Jag better for brakes, but haven't used on derailleurs. I feel like it is a bit smoother than the shimano and other that I have used.

I think that Shimano cables are made bt Jagwire.......

I've compared them side-by-side and they weren't at all the same, but there's a possibility the Shimano were older stock.

anyone used yokozuna cables?

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/road-bikes/product-components/2009-yokozuna-reaction-complete-cable-kit-5839.2279.0.html

Chad

There are also Power Cordz (http://www.powercordz.com/catalog/).

anyone know of a decent brake cable/housing deal online?

Best prices I have found are at pricepoint. $10 for 25 ft of housing, $15 for 10 cables. Not Jagwire or Shimano, but I don't really notice a difference, and I go through a lot of cables and housing.

Gear cables are usually 1.2mm in diameter, and brake cables usually 1.6mm. There are other diameters out there, but those are the conventional sizes. Brake housing is generally 5mm and derr housing 4mm, though there is some 5mm derr housing out there.

For a few years I used 5mm derr housing with my DA 7800 setup, though just at the front. I still used 4mm housing for the RD loop. The 5mm housing makes for a stiffer setup that gave a more positive shift I found. I used Jagwire housing and teflon coated derr cables.

Now that I have 7900, I have reverted back to 4mm derr housing since the 5mm housing is really too stiff to bend nicely under the tape. I am using Yokozuna jet lube 4mm housing and yokozuna stainless derr cables. Very nice.

I think well biked just wanted an excuse to show off that Pinarello and I don't blame him a bit. Wow!

I think well biked just wanted an excuse to show off that Pinarello and I don't blame him a bit. Wow!

Thanks Dirtdrop. And yes, I'm guilty as charged; I look for every excuse to post pics of it!:D

The new Gore Ride-On derailleur cable sets are better than either Jaguar or Shimano. They (Gore)have changed them from the ones available a few years ago. The cable is coated with a very tough clear teflon like material. It does not seem to disintegrate and gum up the cable housings like the teflon lined cables from other manufacturers.

That's a beautiful bike you have there, well biked.