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Any preference in brake and shifter housing?

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Any preference in brake and shifter housing?

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Old 11-13-20, 12:06 PM
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Any preference in brake and shifter housing?

The LBS wants $5 a foot, the Co-Op wants $1 a foot or I can order 25ft of shimano online for $25. I am putting together a 1990 Trek 990 with mustache bars and would prefer to spend a little bit more initially and get a product that lasts longer, but I have no frame of reference other than what I’ve read online.
I will be using friction shifting, so I believe that means I can use 5mm shifter housing, though I’m all ears on ideas.
thanks.
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Old 11-13-20, 12:52 PM
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For shift housing, there isn't a lot of difference - everything is compressionless. Buy a roll if you like keeping things maintained and use it again next year.

For brake housing, Pro-level stuff costs more, but in my opinion, pays off to get compressionless. It will be about $2 to $2.50 a foot in 25 foot rolls, but worth it. "Sport" level is about a buck a foot for brake or shift housing.

Save on shift housing, splurge on brake housing. Don't try to use the same housing for everything. Get 4mm for shifting and 5mm for brake housing.

I am curious - what shop is asking $5/ft? DO NOT pay that much. Come to Sherwood, and I will give you what you need.

edit - support your local co-op. If you are talking about the CCC, they stock Jagwire sport, and is what they sell by the foot. It is a good deal.

Last edited by aggiegrads; 11-13-20 at 12:55 PM.
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Old 11-13-20, 01:24 PM
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I use lined housing and die-drawn stainless inner cables and end up with Jagwire or Shimano brands.
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Old 11-13-20, 01:35 PM
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Yup, Jagwire or Shimano.I don't care either way, although I suspect that Jagwire may be more interested in steady improvements as wires/housings is their business. I can't tell the difference between the two of them for shifter cables in practice, though. I don't use wired brakes (anymore), but my daughter and her mother both have wired brakes, and use either on both of their bikes.
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Old 11-13-20, 01:48 PM
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Originally Posted by aggiegrads

I am curious - what shop is asking $5/ft? DO NOT pay that much. Come to Sherwood, and I will give you what you need.

edit - support your local co-op. If you are talking about the CCC, they stock Jagwire sport, and is what they sell by the foot. It is a good deal.
I live in Gresham, and the one bike shop charges $5/ft. I called one or two other places in PDX and they charge $4/5 also.

citybikes and bikes for humanity charge $1/ft

Last edited by Lbxpdx; 11-13-20 at 01:58 PM.
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Old 11-13-20, 06:43 PM
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Agree on Shimano or Jagwire. I get Jagwire shift and spiral wound brake lined housing from on-line dealers, including Amazon, in 25' or 10 meter rolls for about $32. I've used Jagwire "compressionless" Pro brake housing for mechanical disk brakes but it's about twice as expensive and I don't think it's justified for most rim brakes.
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Old 11-13-20, 07:03 PM
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I prefer Jagwire kits generally either pro or elite link. It has all the bits and usually gives me some extra stuff for future projects.
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Old 11-14-20, 03:18 PM
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UPDATE

Citybike Cooperative in PDX has jag wire 5mm for $1/ft.
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