To Lube Or Not To Lube Shifter Cables That is the Question!

Steve Sr. wrote:
Bike Gurus,

My apologies to Shakespeare. I was wondering if there was any
consensus on this subject. I am referring to the Shimano type of
cables with the plastic core.

If the answer is yes, then what is the recommended lube? I can tell
you one lube not to use is Finish Line "dry". It sets up way too stiff
and will definitely cause shifting issues.

I am currently working on an Ultegra 10 system that is shifting kind
of funky. I recently had it in to the bike shop and I think they lubed
the cables but I don't know with what.

Yes, I have already checked for Gatorade under the bottom bracket and
there wasn't any.


Thanks,

Steve

I use White Lightning (on IRD for Campy brake and shift cables) and I
only use it when they are first installed. Your lube should work too if
you do the same. Lube the cable and then wipe it down after the wet
medium is dried. Wet lubes attract dust and will only make it worse in
a short period.

Most cables should work without lube so the dry lube is optional. With
both sets of cables (w Campy) wrapped under the bar tape, it seems
logical that any advantage can help when they have to go through some
of those tight angles caused by following the bar. I guess I just have
my habits to make my gear operate the best that I can. Dry lube is
great for those circumstances when you need to avoid attracting grime
and they work best if wiped before putting the effected components in
place if there is any risk that the dried lube will cause problems like
you pointed out. I use the same dry lube on cleats (Speedplay) and
brake calipers. It makes such a huge difference in avoiding grime while
allowing nearly the same performance as they would if freshly hit with
WD40 or similar. I also use it on my drivetrain during the wet months
becuase it lasts so much longer than wet lubes when exposed to water
(its second key advantage).

Chris M wrote:
Steve Sr. wrote:
Bike Gurus,

My apologies to Shakespeare. I was wondering if there was any
consensus on this subject. I am referring to the Shimano type of
cables with the plastic core.

If the answer is yes, then what is the recommended lube? I can tell
you one lube not to use is Finish Line "dry". It sets up way too
stiff and will definitely cause shifting issues.

I am currently working on an Ultegra 10 system that is shifting kind
of funky. I recently had it in to the bike shop and I think they
lubed the cables but I don't know with what.

Yes, I have already checked for Gatorade under the bottom bracket and
there wasn't any.


Thanks,

Steve

I use White Lightning (on IRD for Campy brake and shift cables) and I
only use it when they are first installed. Your lube should work too
if you do the same. Lube the cable and then wipe it down after the wet
medium is dried. Wet lubes attract dust and will only make it worse in
a short period.

To the contrary, I cut and run the cables dry, and when they invariably get
gummy after a few months, I use Prolink dabbed in a rag and wiped directly
on the cable, not dribbled down into the housing.

Most cables should work without lube so the dry lube is optional. With
both sets of cables (w Campy) wrapped under the bar tape, it seems
logical that any advantage can help when they have to go through some
of those tight angles caused by following the bar. I guess I just have
my habits to make my gear operate the best that I can. Dry lube is
great for those circumstances when you need to avoid attracting grime
and they work best if wiped before putting the effected components in
place if there is any risk that the dried lube will cause problems
like you pointed out. I use the same dry lube on cleats (Speedplay)
and brake calipers. It makes such a huge difference in avoiding grime
while allowing nearly the same performance as they would if freshly
hit with WD40 or similar. I also use it on my drivetrain during the
wet months becuase it lasts so much longer than wet lubes when
exposed to water (its second key advantage).

Many find the opposite to be true.
--
Phil

I pull the cable across a block of wax a few times (or soak it in the
molten wax if I'm doing a chain at the time) before inserting it into
the noodle(s). This not only adss lubrication, but it also leaves a
solid water resistant coating on the exposed sections.

- -
Comments and opinions compliments of,
"Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

My web Site:
http "colon-slash-slash" geocities "dot" com "slash" czcorner

To E-mail me:
ChrisZCorner "at" webtv "dot" net