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[Closed] Think I've been diddled - how to identify genuine Shimano PTFE brake cables

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Thought I'd splash out when replacing my brake cables and ordered Shimano PTFE coated from a reasonably well known online retailer.

£6 a cable was a bit eye watering but I thought why not, I'm saving that on bus fares every week at the moment!

What arrived though looks extremely like bog standard workshop issue big-box-o-cables inners...

Part of me thinks screw it, not important, but the other part of me thinks they're taking the piss.

Shouldn't teflon/PTFE coating be a matt grey or black?


 
Posted : 06/06/2020 11:05 am
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The ones I had were a darker colour than normal.
I’d take A photo and ask for a £3 refund or whatever the difference is.
However my experience of them was not good. The coating peeled and gathered around the running points actually jamming the cable.
So I’d use the ones they sent but see if you can get compo, if you can be bothered.


 
Posted : 06/06/2020 11:39 am
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You may be able to peel the PTFE off with a blade?


 
Posted : 06/06/2020 4:24 pm
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If they're £6 then they're not genuine.


 
Posted : 06/06/2020 4:42 pm
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I thought those came in a 'fancy' package that marked them out as such? I say 'fancy', I mean the packaging mentioned PTFE coating...however, it has been a good few years since I've had to look at them, so can't really remember what the packaging looked like.


 
Posted : 06/06/2020 5:23 pm
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Not used them in years, always found the black ptfe coating used to a abrade off?

I just use stainless steel now with good cable lube.


 
Posted : 06/06/2020 5:33 pm
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I just use normal cables now as I also found the coating came off.

They are cheaper so I just replace them more often.

I love new cables!


 
Posted : 06/06/2020 6:46 pm
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The £6 price was reduced from £13.something.

Wasn't surprised by lack of packaging, they are predominantly a bike brand so I imagine they have lots of spare OEM stock to sell.

Have got over my mild disappointment, have decided it's not worth the aggro to pursue, will just be careful to buy fancy cables in person in future!


 
Posted : 06/06/2020 6:47 pm
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Current Shimano coated gear cables are green for optislick, and brown/gold for the polymer ones.

You used to get PTFE cables that looked normal, I assume a clear coating?


 
Posted : 06/06/2020 8:03 pm
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The barrel/nipple should be different, if I recall its stamped or has a different silhouette.


 
Posted : 07/06/2020 8:49 am
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Had to delete my bit after reading again, i was talking about gear cable, not woke up properly.


 
Posted : 07/06/2020 9:16 am

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