phantomcow2

Well it seems like no matter what I do im getting a large amount of dirt in my shifter cables and im sick of cleaning it out so often. So im looking into cable systems, as opposed to just generic housing/cables. Raiyn suggested Gore ride ons, but im looking for something maybe a little cheaper. I dont have much cash right now. So the avid flak jackets caught my attention, at 19 dollars for the system they have an attractive price. Has anybody ever used these things? Or does anybody have any other suggestions? What about those aztec powerlines?

erhan

I've been using the flak jackets for about 3 months, and I am really happy with them. Brake feeling is silky smooth. I didn't feel much difference with the shifter cables though, no problems either. I've never worried about getting mud in the housing. They work as they are advertised. The housing looks cool too.

Eros

I just put a Flak Jacket rear cable on my bike. Very nice kit. The housing is very nice, although not so abraision resistant. I managed to rip up one side pretty good threading it through my swingarm.

In my case I used the majority of the housing on just the rear as my setup doesn't have any exposed cable sections. All the stuff included for exposed cable runs looks like it would work very well though. I think it's a great idea. I haven't seen the other systems mentioned to compare it to though.

If you don't have cable cutters, I found that a dremel cutoff wheel works gloriously.

Cheers

Brian

Aztec is good stuff. If you can get some of the Avid ferrules and seals, you could probably use whatever cable you want. I got a box of their stuff, and noticed it's all got funky seals and stuff.

phantomcow2

well im reading that the aztec kit doesnt include much housing, has this been a problem with you? I have a 19" homegrown frame, would it fit do you think?

erhan

here are some picture of the avid flak jackets.

this is to show the colour difference. The dull one is the brake housing. I ordered them from different places, so it may be because they are manufactured in different years or something.



Here I was supposed to use the red coloured housing for mud protection. I removed them because, first I didn't like the red, and second the housing is plastic and it doesn't stay tight and straight. I got some mud over there, but it didn't seem to effect the shifting/braking quality (so far).



Rubber piece for front der.



For the same reasons I didn't use the red housing for the cable going down the seat stays to rear derailleur. Instead I used this short black plastic housing and taped it.



another view...



and another..

Brian

OCD.

phantomcow2

Those cables look nice . Thanks for all the pics

swifferman

What is the purpose of these cable housings if you're not building a bike from scratch(like if you don't need cable housings because you don't have any or they're broken)? Do they make it shift smoother? Or move smoother or brake smoother or whatever the case may be. Certainly less expensive then I thought they'd be and they look neat too.

phantomcow2

well im looking at them because with what i have now dirt is getting in so much. Its really getting ridiculous how often i have to clean the damn things out. The brakes seem to be fine, its my rear derailleur that has the problem

swifferman

Ahhh, so they're like sealed cable housings so crap can't get in...

I see now!

phantomcow2

yea, well im sure stuff gets in but my hopes are at least LESS will get in.