k_randomfactor

Howdy folks,

I'm fixing to order a set of the Rivendell bar-end pods and DT boss cable guides to convert my SunTour DT shifters (front friction/rear index on a 7sp freewheel) to bar-ends. What I have no clue about is what brand of shifter cables and housings to get, since I'll obviously need longer cables.

I know I'd like stainless cables, but any advice on brands to look for, and avoid, would be greatly appreciated.

I figure that while I'm at it, I'll go ahead and change the brake cables as well, but thought I'd get the same brand as the shifter cables.

Is there that much difference in cables, or am I over-thinking this? This will be my first real foray into bike maintenence. The mechanics I get, but brands? I'm clueless.

Recommendations for lube and a cutter welcome as well. I have plenty of gun lube around, but doubt that would be as good as something designed for the purpose.

I searched a while, but there are lots of threads on cable routing, but not so much regarding good cables to route.

Thanks in advance folks.

HillRider

Shimano and Jagwire are good brands of both brake and shift cables and housing and both offer stainless steel smooth drawn versions. Niagara Cyclery, among many others, sells Jagwire products in either kits or bulk housing and individual cables.

As to lube, if you use lined housing (both Shimano and Jagwire brake and shift housing are lined) you really need no lube but I use a thin wipe of Tri-Flow but most light gun oils are just as functional. Breakfree CLP is good but there are a lot of others. Just avoid grease and heavy body oils as they are dirt magnets.

k_randomfactor

Cool, thanks bud.

I'm gonna be ordering some tires from Niagara, I'll order some Jagwire cables at the same time.

Kimmo 

Just ensure the housing is lined, and use SS cables. I generally don't bother with lube, except maybe on the rear shift cable on 9+spd systems. If you have to pay a lot more for smooth cables, I wouldn't bother, although they're undeniably nicer.

Being a 7spd bike, these have a decent amount of cable pull per shift and so don't require stupidly low friction in the cable, meaning you should be able to enjoy reliable indexing without coughing up for anything fancy.

For best results, file or carefully grind housing ends flat after cutting, and employ ferrules where ends sit in barrel adjusters if not everywhere. Ensure you don't apply any significant tension to brake housing while installing, and use enough housing on the rear brake and shift cables to allow full movement of the bars. Housing lengths should be as short as possible while maintaining smooth curves and transitions to cable stops, although you may like to use a larger RD loop like the pros use these days... prolly won't make any difference to a 7spd though.

Medic Zero

Don't know how they compare functionally, but as far as pretty goes, the Velo Orange metallic braided kits are quite nice. I've been pleased with them on my commuter. Of course, at the moment VO themselves seem to be out of stock.