dark13star

In another thread, I asked about experience cutting the Yokozuna housings and many people asked for a review of the cable and housing set once I rode them.

For those unfamiliar, Yokozuna Reaction is a complete brake and shifter cable and housing kit available for Shimano/SRAM and Campagnolo.



I installed these last night and got out for a quick 35 miles with them today. Bottom line for those who don't like to read reviews: I am really happy with these cables.

For those who want a little more info, I usually just use Dura Ace cables, but read about these on another forum and thought I would give them a try. They are not much more expensive than DA kits, so I figured there wasn't much risk. I don't race, but I ride a lot and I like my bike to perform well.

I installed these on my Cannondale Synapse with Ultegra components. In the last month, I put a new rear cassette and new chain on the bike as well, but rode it several times with those and the old cables before trying these.

Ok, down to business...

Installation

These housings take a little longer to install than standard ones. The brake cables are significantly thicker and both brake and shifter cables are a lot stiffer than DA cables. I did a test cut with my Park cutter and it did not do a good job. The housings split and crimp. Instead I used a Dremel with a 1/32" cutting disc on high speed. It threw a lot of sparks cutting through (wear eye protection), but did a great job. The disc is good for cleaning up the plastic coating after cutting too. The other thing that is a little more challenging is getting them taped in place on the bars before wrapping. I taped a little more than I would normally, and they worked great.

On to performance...

Braking

Most of what I have read about these cables focused on the braking, and it is improved. I wish I could have done a side-by-side comparison, but my other bikes have different components. That said, it does seem that braking with regular cables has a bit of a pause. You begin to squeeze, the calipers close, the pads touch the rim, cable flexes (this is the pause), then the brakes grab. With these cables, the brakes just grab without hesitation and the braking instills confidence. I can't wait to spend some time in the mountains with these brakes.

Shifting

I wasn't really expecting a noticeable improvement here, and perhaps that is why this is where I am most pleased with these cables. Shifting is really crisp and instant. I wish I could really compare the difference, but shifting now seems instant. I swear I used to hear the click in the brifter and then after a slight pause, I would hear the chain move on the cassette. Now it just seems like one indistinguishable motion and sound. This is a noticeable improvement to Ultegra shifting.

One note here. I also had inline adjusters before and I didn't install them this time. This change could account for some of the improvement in crispness, but worth it. After all, who micro-adjusts a front derailer anyway?

If you are considering some premium cables, this kit is an affordable upgrade that provides noticeable improvement in performance.

Psyclismo

Thanks for the review. I might just have to try these on my next cable change.

palesaint

+1, thanks for the review. I've heard this is a really good upgrade for the SRAM shifters. Running Force, I am seriously considering them.

plasticmaam12

Good review. Thanks. I am running new Aztec Powerecordz for my shift cables. I think I'll give the Yoko's a try for the brakes. The price is right.

Mellowman

shimano/sram only, no campagnolo. you have to shave the heads to make them fit campy.

dark13star

Interesting, because when I ordered them, there was a choice for Campy on the Competitive Cyclists site, but they ware back ordered for a long time and now it just says Shimano/SRAM. I wonder what happened to the Campy kit?

nitropowered

I hear that there is a more noticeable shifting difference with Sram

mr. rogers

you can order them striaght from the us distributor for less than cc. https://www.yokozunausa.com/. I had them in 3 days.