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Difference in Housing

November 7th, 2008 by Arleigh Jenkins

There are many different options in housing, especially with Nokon and Gore cable systems in place.  I want to touch base on the two most used housing with the standard sleeve, metal cables and then plastic casing.

Below you see brake housing, or compression housing.  The metal is spun tightly almost like a slinky underneath the outter plastic casing.  Brake housing is available mostly in 5mm as brake cables are mostly thicker than shifter cables.

Below is shifter housing.  Shifter housing is compressionless to allow a better shift.  In a pinch you can use brake housing, and brake housing used to be the only type of housing for many years (years and years ago.)  Shifter housing normally comes in 4mm or 5mm.  I prefer 5mm unless it is a teflon coated system.


4 Responses to “Difference in Housing”

  1. 1 Nato 

    Any thoughts on lubing housing?
    I’ve always used Dri-Slide Bike Aid. Some people use Prolink or Triflow or something similar, but that seems like it would gunk up more quickly than a “dryer” lube.

  2. 2 Dave 

    I’d like to read more about weight differences, performance differences, environmental considerations… stuff like that. There are quite a few items surrounding cables and housings, fully inclosed, the Gore cables, locations of cable bosses, rubbing against a frame (ugh). I’d like to read more peoples opinions on the above.

  3. 3 Arleigh 

    Nato - I’ve always used a very small amount of Prolink if the cables get super dry.

  4. 4 GreenLightGo 

    I will say that it’s best to avoid brake housing when using a rapid-rise rear mech, expecially if it’s on a full suspension. Will give you some ghost shifts you don’t want!

    These days - it’s pretty cost effective to just get a complete kit from Jagwire - they have some great housing systems and in bulk 3m rolls, you get enough to do a whole bike.

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