cable variations and identification

[Brucey]

time was, when there was only one type of gear cable you would likely need; it would have a different nipple each end and you would cut off the one you wouldn't need. Galvanised, of course... happy days!

Now, there's a gazillion different types of cable and it is good to know what comes out of bike if it has failed in particular way. I have long thought of having a gazetter of different cable markings and types so that one would be able to react accordingly.

Here's a start


from http://www.cyclecube.com/?p=19164

from top to bottom;
1. stainless (manufacturer unknown but it may be shimano)
2. Latest shimano 'optislick' cable
3. Sil-Tec (PTFE) cable
4. Ultegra cable
5. Dura-Ace cable

latest type of 'optislick' cable has a dark green coloured coating on it. Unlike the brown coating that has been used prior to that, used cables are coming out of bikes with little sign of the coating coming off in use.

Anyone else got any photos of marked cable nipples, or any info about cable construction/appearance?

cheers

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,
Clarks st stl gear inner marked with a "C", some one else will post a pic if I cant get round to it.

[rjb]

Pretty sure i have some down tube cables which had a hexagonal nipple. ill have a rummage tomorrow.

[MikeDee]

The new Shimano polymer coated shift cables that look like they have a filament wound around them have a short life before they break. I think it's because, in multistrand wire cables, the individual strands need to be able to slide/move relative to one another. The tightly wound filament on the outside inhibits that movement thereby concentrating stresses on a few strands.



Also, if you are lubing your cables, what good is the coating doing?

[Brucey]

Jagwire stainless gear inners have a conventional construction and are marked 'JS' on the nipples.

cheers