The best Bike Shift Cables & Housing: Reddit reviews

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

Jagwire makes nice shift gear kits, something like this will suit:

https://www.amazon.com/Jagwire-Shift-Cable-Black-Size/dp/B077F9ZMKF

OK the installation is fine, which is great. But the cables don't look very new, so I would suggest replacing them. For example, with these: https://www.amazon.com/JAGWIRE-ROAD-SHOP-KIT-Complete/dp/B00L2BQJM4

The SRAM Supercork bar tape on Amazon is a good choice too.

This is a good tool to check if your chain needs replacing: https://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-CC-3-2-Chain-Checker/dp/B000BR3LHQ/

Thanks, I'm saving this comment to reply once I start collecting components for this build. Have you tried using cable housing adapters like this to run full length housings? https://www.amazon.ca/Bicycle-Hydraulic-Housing-Adapter-Converter/dp/B0845PXFRQ

Did you install the PAS sensor on the crank? $27 on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/BAFANG-Sensor-Shift-Cable-Gearsensor/dp/B07LFBPQZM/ref=pd_lpo_2?pd_rd_i=B07LFBPQZM&psc=1

thanks for the instructions! does this kit look like it would include everything i would need to replace this? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077F9ZMKF/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_0R5WWDKKX0TVKHWZH63P?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

By "traverse adapter" do you mean this piece ?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Racing-Bicycle-Center-Hanger-Anchors/dp/B00BGCBFA0

Something improvised at home would be ok on a gear cable but might be very dangerous on a brake cable.

Might help if you took a picture of your bike. But in general, you want a cable housing to protect your braking and shifting cables. They're pretty cheap and super easy to install. Something like this. You could then cover that with the lizard skin no problem.

Here's a link to the condition of my bike

In addition to the shifter hardly working (I had to grip it a certain way, or else it would just continuously spin), the cable connecting the shifter the the derailleur snapped. Would this be a suitable replacement?

The only little consumable I needed when building my Kilo was a brake cable tip. I guess you don't technically need one, but you are going to have to cut the brake cable to length and its proper to tip them with one of these little widgets so it doesn't fray.

So now that you know what it is, do you need info on repairing it? The hub probably still works just fine (and it can be lubed, disassembled, and even re-laced onto a new rim if originality is desired).

You can get replacement housing (note the "frequently bought together" section) and other assorted pieces. I believe that cable will work, but I've never sized up new cable so I'm not sure how one shortens it if needed. Tuning the shifting is done mostly by feel, and they're shifted while coasting or backpedalling (as far as the hub is concerned, same thing).

That is just housing, and way more than you'll need. Thats a shop size roll of shifter cable hosuing only.

This is what I'm talking about:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-Jagwire-brake-shifter-cable-housing-kit-Road-Mountain-Bike-/251306626488?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&var=&hash=item3a830acdb8

-or-

http://www.amazon.com/Jagwire-Racer-Complete-Brake-Derailleur/dp/B001GSQJBO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392230055&sr=8-1&keywords=jagwire+kit

Do i need the shift and brake cables, and ALSO the housing, or does the Jagwire 25' roll come with the cable inside? I'm imagining the housing either require wire strippers to expose the cable or do I need to feed the raw cables through the empty housing?

I'm confusing myself.