Originally Posted by
PaulDaPigeon
I recently took my bike to a mechanic to have it checked up before spring, so I can ride when the weather's finally good.
They are telling me that I should get cable housing changed, 'cause it's messing up my shifting. I've read that incorrect housing length can have negative effects, but that's not what they're saying is wrong. They say my housing is of inferior quality and want to talk me into buying some pricey stuff. I can't help feeling like I'm being ripped off. It didn't feel like anything was wrong with it and I've checked prices for cable housing online and it seems to be one of the cheapest parts ever.
Can you guys tell me, if this can really affect my shifting or am I being scammed?
Yes, housing is a wear item.
Better housing with a teflon lining goes high-friction quicker than older/lower quality unlined because the cable strands act like saw teeth, with the kerf pinching the cable for sluggish shifts to smaller cogs.
I get about 4000 miles (it goes high-friction around 4500) and 16-20 weeks out of lined rear shift housings with under bar-tape routing.
The better housing is supposed to be lower friction than unlined housing when brand-new, which makes it more tolerant of under bar-tape routing, and more accommodating of increased cog counts where the tighter spacing makes a slight hangup more likely to cause problems.
Rear loops also accumulate gunk and develop kinks.