1 - Nokon Unversal Cable Kit
The Nokon beads dangle like a chain between the handlebars and frame. The concave-convex aluminium bodies can be routed in particularly small radii and do not compress even under high forces. The shift cables glide in a continuous Teflon-coated liner, which guarantees high, consistent shifting quality.
Scope of delivery: 2 shift cables, 2 x 200 cm liners with 41 cm beads each, various protective hoses, 80 additional links, 10 end caps, 2 crimp sleeves, additional service parts
Price: 65.90 euros, www.carlstahl-technocables.de
2 - Power Cordz Prime MTB shift cable set
Zylon - sounds like wonder material from a superhero film. The high-strength plastic fibres reduce the weight of the Power Cordz cable to 2.7 grams. A standard steel cable weighs a good 15 grams. The nylon coated shift cables glide in outer sheaths made of an aluminium-steel structure. The complete set weighs less than 60 grams.
Scope of delivery: 2 plastic shift cables, 200 cm outer cover, 8 end caps/pull stops with and without dust protection, 4 clamping rings, 2 liners
Price: 81.25 euros, weight: 56 grams, www.r2-bike.com
3 - Jagwire Mountain Elite Sealed Shift
With the Sealed Shift Kit, Jagwire is following in the footsteps of Gore's Ride on Cables, which are no longer available. In order to completely seal the shift cables against dirt, a continuous liner is inserted into the five millimetre thick outer casing. A polymer-coated shift cable glides smoothly through this like runners on ice.
Scope of delivery: 2 shift cables, 2 liners, 320 cm outer cover, 2 cable protectors, 4 end caps, 7 outer cable caps, 2 crimp sleeves, 2 cable hooks
Price: 47.50 euros, weight: 174 grams; www.mcg-parts.de
4 - Alligator Super Light Cable Kit
One metre of standard outer cover weighs around 42 grams. The Alligator Super-Light drawcords weigh just half that. The Taiwanese do not use a steel spiral as the core, but fibreglass. The inside is coated with Teflon so that the cables glide better in the sleeve. Alligator proves that tuning doesn't have to be expensive.
Scope of delivery: 2 shift cables, 200 cm outer cover, 7 outer cable caps with dust protection, 3 end caps, donuts, 2 crimp sleeves
Price: 28.80 euros, weight: 69 grams, www.tuning-bikes.de
5 - Shimano XTR shift cable set OT -SP41
The XTR shift cables glide silky smooth through your fingers as soon as you unpack them. Shimano coats its shimmering brown top cables with a special polymer that is designed to noticeably reduce friction when shifting. Axially stiffened outer housings are designed to provide an even more direct shifting feel.
Scope of delivery: 2 polymer shift cables, 330 cm outer cover, 7 sealed outer cable caps, 2 lugs, 4 end caps, 2 crimp sleeves
Price: 32.95 euros, weight: 146 grams, www.paul-lange.de
6 - Xtreme Easycable KS shift cable set
High-end technology at an economical price: rust-free Teflon cables glide through the Kevlar-coated outer casing like fried eggs in a pan. However, care must be taken when installing them. The cables are also suitable for Campa shifters. They have to be cut on one side and splice easily. Unfortunately, the plastic end caps are easily lost.
Scope of delivery: 2 shift cables, 180 cm outer cover, frame protector, donuts, 7 outer cable caps with rubber cover, 3 end caps, 2 crimp sleeves
Price: 19.95 euros, weight: 87 grams, www.roseversand.de
7 - Sram SlickWire Shift Cable Kit
The shift cable for crisis zones: The outer sleeves of the Sram set are made of a bulletproof Kevlar braid. Much more important for bikers: The housings cannot be compressed and therefore ensure the typical Sram crisp shifting feel. The upgrade to the black-coated cables is worthwhile as they noticeably reduce friction.
Scope of delivery: 2 shift cables, 250 cm outer cover, frame protector, 4 end caps, 8 outer cable grommets, donuts, 2 crimp sleeves
Price: 37 euros, weight: 124 grams, www.sram.com
You can buy BIKE at newsagents, read it in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or in the DK shop order:
Stefan Frey
Editor
