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Getting about 3 years out of a set of xtr cables with exposed lengths along the toptube and stay.
Considering drilling the guides but wondering if there's any point if it's not going to last any longer.
Used to love gore cables but since they came back from their break, they seem to delaminate more easily.
Generally get about a year out of a full length SP41 with sealed end caps, probably an extra 2 or 3 months more than I used to get from split outers.
Depends how wet the winter is...
On my bike, good cables (Gore or other sealed) possibly a 8mths- 1year.
On the kids and mrs_oab's bikes, usually a couple of years.
Humm, might just leave the guides along then. Easier to slide the housing up and lube/clean them that way I guess.
Cheers guys.
Last lot on main bike 4 years and just transferred outers onto new frame and installed he winners......old cables were fine too.
Started using jagwire cables, got a year on the turner from a set, Helens had over a year out of hers.
Frankly I wouldn't bother with the drill!!
(Oh and decathlon are doing jagwire sets for a tenner, that's what's on the pivot and they seem fine!
You're meant to change them? 😆
I wait for them to go graunchy, pull the cable out, grease it up, refit and forget for another year or so.
Year or so, more if you don't bother with Gore, though everyone should try it once to bin it. Complete outer run, as I'm down to 1 gear cable then it's not much hassle. Though recently I've snapped more than have got tired. (rock strike on the exposed bit on the mech I think)
Thanks all. From that, I think I'll leave the guides as they are and run exposed mid sections. Doesn't look like full length housing will buy me any extra life from them.
Inner I find eventually snaps somewhere around the mech as that's where it's exposed and rubbing. A year or two typically. If you've not got full outers then you may be getting rust and gunk in the middle which takes more care to keep clean and/or the boots need replacing.
Outers, the thing I've found is 1) run SP41, 2) full outer if possible and 3) get good quality harder ferrules.
The latter is key. The standard ferrules frequently split, especially around the shifter, and then the outer pops out and frays. Result is new outer, unless you've got enough length spare to shorten it without being a problem. Though moisture may have got into it anyway. Since using decent ferrules I've not had splitting and they are lasting ages and still smooth running inside.