I use the compressionless shifter housing and slick cable in stainless steel. I like Jagwire. This combination is smooth enough that some of the BikeForum member run the cables all the way under the handlebar tape up to near the stem. I don't but it is a good gauge of how smoothly this combination works.


Notice in the picture above that a ferrule is needed to get a good fit into the cable end stop on the down tube. The kits from Jagwire include some small accoutrements that are handy.