Road Cycling - Expensive cables worth it?

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daneil
10-14-04, 01:25 PM
So I need to buy new cables and housing (I'm installing a longer stem and need more housing length as it is) and I've got some questions. Now I've always used plain jane QBP housing and cables, but lately I've been thinking about using either the Aztec Powerlines or Nokon housing/cable sets. Now the price difference between the QBP and Nokon's is huge, is the performance difference huge as well. I've never had a problem, but then again I've never used the Nokon/Aztec type housings either. I run the big S on my drivetrain and I'm not looking to run my cable under the tape, so that's not a bonus in my book. Any other differences? Thanks guys.

shokhead
10-14-04, 01:48 PM
Only a guess but i would say NO!. Waste of money unless you have it to waste.
gcasillo
10-14-04, 04:15 PM
No!

halfspeed
10-14-04, 04:19 PM
So I need to buy new cables and housing (I'm installing a longer stem and need more housing length as it is) and I've got some questions. Now I've always used plain jane QBP housing and cables, but lately I've been thinking about using either the Aztec Powerlines or Nokon housing/cable sets. Now the price difference between the QBP and Nokon's is huge, is the performance difference huge as well. I've never had a problem, but then again I've never used the Nokon/Aztec type housings either. I run the big S on my drivetrain and I'm not looking to run my cable under the tape, so that's not a bonus in my book. Any other differences? Thanks guys.

It's only worth it if the housing is a cool color that matches your bike. :)
Cycliste
10-14-04, 04:37 PM
I have AZTEC cables and housing installed on one of my bikes and regular, good quality cables on a newer one that I ride most of the time. AZTEC cables are excellent products and very durable, maintenance free.
Having said that, on a list of priorities for the budget conscious home mechanic: buy regular good cables and housing and invest in a cable/housing cutter if you don't already have one. Cable performance is often affected by the result of using poor cutting tools, also housings too long or too short. Don't forget the ferrules and cable ends.
DieselDan
10-14-04, 04:48 PM
You can run Shinamo STI shifer cables under you bar tape with Nokon cables and housing. Eric Zabel has his bike setup like that because the Nokon will bend at such a tight loop without binding the cable.
glomarduck
10-14-04, 05:26 PM
my cables ( with housing) are 3 bucks a pop and work fine
gcasillo
10-14-04, 05:48 PM
You can run Shinamo STI shifer cables under you bar tape with Nokon cables and housing. Eric Zabel has his bike setup like that because the Nokon will bend at such a tight loop without binding the cable....something I considered and tried with my 105 shifters and Nokon cables. Two hours later and no closer to finished, I was repackaging everything and done with the experiment.