Change shifter cable ST-M095?

[bikeworkshop]

A proper retro-ist should know more than me as a 21st C bicycle shop, but I think the fat brake cable, 2mm/6mm iirc, hasn't been available for decades. Most modern brakes won't take the outer.
There might be a repro source though.

If you can see the spiral on the gear outer, it's probably cheap rubbish.

Proper index cable has a very stiff, slow outer spiral, and needs quality cable cutters to cut neatly.

Cheap bikes and bsos often don't have real gear cable.

Out of choice on gear I always use sis-sp51, 5mm stuff takes brass end caps. Smoother, stiffer, stronger.
Many other retailers dont even know it still exists.

 

[Tootyred]

It was basically motorbike cable bitd. Venhill sell it by the m.

Or if you want an easier solution its here

https://bicyclist.cc/product/shimano-deore-xt-slr-2-0-mm-brake-cable-set/

 

[drexal77]

I hope this makes more sense, 1st image you can see the lovely thick brake cable housing (coil style) on the left as you look at the image, then the none coil style shifter cable housing in the middle still wide diameter, then the newer style super thin cable housing on the far righ. But then 2nd image on the right the coil style brake cable housing (coil style) then middle, they have use the coil style cable now for the gear shifter. I'm guessing this doesn't make any difference to the shifting if the housing is the coil type or not?

Final shot you can see the difference in brake cable housing diamater to the middle shifter cable housing and then the newer style thinner housing on the left. I desperatly want to try and source these 2x old style super wide diameter cable housing?

 

[Tootyred]

Brake and shifter cables take different forces and are not designed the same.

With a shifter you want smooth movement with limited force applied.

With a brake the slickness is secondary to the ability of the cable housing to resist the force....so you don't waste your energy in a deforming outer.

Now you can have both for both! But a good brake cable is not a gear cable and the reverse.

 

[drexal77]

Brake and shifter cables take different forces and are not designed the same.

Ahhh ok, do you know from looking at the last image if they made that coil style cable housing for shifter cables back then? as its thinner in diameter to the brake cable housing, so i'm presuming it is the correct original cable housing for the shifter cable?

 

[Tootyred]

Modern good cables are often pre compressed and stressed and have lubricated liners with precious oils applied...oooooohhhhh.

 

[drexal77]

A proper retro-ist should know more than me as a 21st C bicycle shop, but I think the fat brake cable, 2mm/6mm iirc, hasn't been available for decades. Most modern brakes won't take the outer.
There might be a repro source though.

If you can see the spiral on the gear outer, it's probably cheap rubbish.

Proper index cable has a very stiff, slow outer spiral, and needs quality cable cutters to cut neatly.

Cheap bikes and bsos often don't have real gear cable.

Out of choice on gear I always use sis-sp51, 5mm stuff takes brass end caps. Smoother, stiffer, stronger.
Many other retailers dont even know it still exists.

Modern good cables are often pre compressed and stressed and have lubricated liners with precious oils applied...oooooohhhhh.

Modern good cables are often pre compressed and stressed and have lubricated liners with precious oils applied...oooooohhhhh.

 

[Tootyred]

Honestly, i cant remember what the gear was bitd! It would be early "m system" stuff wth xt kit.

The brake was deffo, as you say, the bigger "rope" 2mm inner. They also made fatter hangers and straddles to compliment it.

 

[Tootyred]

The may have been stranded....ie running along the length..but my memory is shot to bit now....87 was a loooooong time back.

 

[drexal77]

A proper retro-ist should know more than me as a 21st C bicycle shop, but I think the fat brake cable, 2mm/6mm iirc, hasn't been available for decades. Most modern brakes won't take the outer.
There might be a repro source though.

If you can see the spiral on the gear outer, it's probably cheap rubbish.

Proper index cable has a very stiff, slow outer spiral, and needs quality cable cutters to cut neatly.

Cheap bikes and bsos often don't have real gear cable.

Out of choice on gear I always use sis-sp51, 5mm stuff takes brass end caps. Smoother, stiffer, stronger.
Many other retailers dont even know it still exists.

Honestly, i cant remember what the gear was bitd! It would be early "m system" stuff wth xt kit.

The brake was deffo, as you say, the bigger "rope" 2mm inner. They also made fatter hangers and straddles to compliment it.

The may have been stranded....ie running along the length..but my memory is shot to bit now....87 was a loooooong time back.