The routing of the shifter cables...
 

So I'm sitting here building up my new bike (pics will follow) and I'm just wondering how many of you with Shimano brifters route the cable fairly straight, and how many go for the loop around each other before heading off to the down tube approach.

And is there any real advantage to either method?

Just curious.

Az

the less sharp the bend the better but either way is fine. Mine do not cross. its bad enough shimano doesnt have the cables hidden i dont want them any longer then they have to be.

I use the criss-cross method to try to alleviate some of the length and bend. I lead the right side cable to the left of the head tube and the left side cable to the right of the head tube. Then I criss-cross the cables under the down tube to get them to their respective destinations.

Speaking of cables... what do they mean when people talk about the "alternate" cable position or routing when using a 10spd brifter with a 9spd cassette?

I've always done this, but in terms of functionality it doesn't matter a bit from my experience.

At the rear derailer anchor bolt, the alternate routing is around the other side of the anchor.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/dura-ace.html#alternate

+1 - done to adjust the throw ratio.

Henry to the rescue! Thanks man!

Gary

Have a question on this topic...installing shifter cables on Shimano brifters.

Where should the cables pass?

It seems like the right shift cable should pass to the right of the head tube so it stays right and controls the rear derailleur.

Left should pass to left of head tube and control the front derailleur.

My cables cross a bit after coming out of the shifters, but this was the length needed to allow full turns of the bars (though you never really need that and I would like them a bit shorter for a cleaner look, but oh well).

So, should I keep them right shifter/right of head tube & left/left?

What are the pros/cons of the criss-crossing under the downtube. This seems like it would affect shifting performance.

So, you did a search, found this thread, posted in it, but didn't bother to actually read the responses in it first?

Read the thread. Some wrote that it doesn't affect functionality. I wanted to see what others had to say about this.

Crossing the cables under the downtube doesn't seem like a good idea.

I thought I'd still like to do some information gathering, so asked a question in a thread.

Thanks for the helpful reply though.

I run my cables so they cross under the down tube and it does not affect functionality - the cables don't touch each other at the cross point, and the angles are so shallow as the cables go into the BB guide that it makes no difference.

In my opinion crossing the cables makes a much cleaner-looking installation.

Thanks for the feedback, Crispy! I also think it looks cleaner, but wanted to know if it can hamper shifting. If it doesn't, definitely something to consider.

I'm familiar with this topic.

Like others have said, I route the cable from the right hand brifter (rear derailleur) into the cable stop on the left hand side of the head tube or down tube, then cross the exposed cables under the down tube. Same for left hand brifter. It's cable routes to the right hand cable stop. For DA7800 and Ultegra, I have found I can use a bit less housing (less weight is good), the turns are a bit less abrupt and it looks better to me. Pretty much six of one and half dozen of another. Go with personal preference.

I have a crossed-cable setup and the bare wires do just touch. I bet, though, that the friction of one wire touching the other at that angle is so small that is could hardly be measured, and you get the benefit of a less sharp S-bend where the cables meet the down-tube stops.

Does it really affect the shifting, though? I've tried both setups on the same bike and could not tell any difference. I think that modern cables and outers are so good that it doesn't matter.

Sorry for the "non-helpful" answer. I cross my cables without any problems but I don't run shimano.

Edit: And I have Nokons so the cable isn't exposed at the cross...

http://www.photoscene.com/kimandsteve/images/4603.jpg

[QUOTE=umd;8887839]Sorry for the "non-helpful" answer. I cross my cables without any problems but I don't run shimano.

Edit: And I have Nokons so the cable isn't exposed at the cross...

Now THAT is helpful, umd:thumb:

Thanks for all the useful posts and information. It is appreciated. Now I have to figure out which routing I prefer.