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Submitted by
jfrederickisme
a Racer
from slc, ut, us
Date Reviewed: February 26, 2010 | | Favorite Trail: | gOOSEBERRY MESA | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | JoyRide Bikes | | Strengths: | Fully sealed | | Weaknesses: | Price | | Similar Products Used: | SRAM Ride On cables | | Bike Setup: | Intense 5.5, Crossmax XL wheelset, SRAM XO components, Fow Float RLC fork. | | Bottom Line: | These cables are incredible. I upgraded from the SRAM Ride On cables that were supposed to be fully sealed cabled but started cracking after one season. After upgrading to these shifting ease increased ten fold. These things are buttery smooth. They are a little pricy but highly recommended if you ride frequently in muddy or very disty conditions.
They paid for themselved in my first race that was wet and muddy. While every one else was having shifting problems I flew right on by for a 2nd place finish. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cda mtn biker
a Cross Country Rider
from hayden, Idaho, USA
Date Reviewed: January 8, 2010 | | Favorite Trail: | Canefield trail system | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria Bicycle Outf | | Strengths: | sealed cable system, low friction, accurate shifts, the only maintenance required after one year of riding was to fine tune the cable tension after the break in period. The best customer service department. | | Weaknesses: | May seem pricy compared to other cable systems out there. But you get what you pay for. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano, Jagwire, cheap generic | | Bike Setup: | Gore Ride-On Cables, Sram XO shifters, XO blackbox rear derailleur, Shimano XTR front Derailleur, XT hollow tech II crank and chain rings, chain and Cassette. | | Bottom Line: | The cables will improve any drive train. Smooth and accurate shifting everytime. I ride almost year round and these cables have been put through a lot. They are sealed to keep the grit, grime and mud out allowing them to shift spot on everytime. They also held up great to the dry dusty conditions of late summer where other bands (Shimano/Jagwire) required daily maintenance or produced poor shifting results until they were cleaned and lubed.
They also have one of the best customer service departments out there. The guys at Gore Ride-On Cables are great! Thanks for all the help Lou. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pinchphlat
a Cross Country Rider
from Australia
Date Reviewed: December 26, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Strengths: | Very smooth shifting - these cables make the shifters so easy and responsive. I have the sealed full-length outer versions, and they certainly keep a clean line. | | Weaknesses: | Replacement costs (you cannot buy the inner cables seperately). | | Similar Products Used: | Just about every Shimano cable produced in recent years, including XTR cabling. | | Bottom Line: | These are the best cables on the market. Period. They are easy to set up, and work perfectly, even after a long period of heavy abuse. The only drawback is that if you snap an inner cable, then you are up for a completely new set, as the inner cables are not sold individually. However I have not snapped an inner cable yet (1 year), whereas with other setups I would have gone through at least a pair of cables by now. So the replacements costs seem to be offset by longevity of the product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mojopin
a Cross Country Rider
from Minneapolis, mn
Date Reviewed: December 7, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Hillside | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | gore | | Strengths: | smooth shifting, sealed housings, longevity | | Weaknesses: | careful setup, somewhat delicate cables | | Similar Products Used: | Avid Flak Jackets, Shimano XTR cable sets, Jagwire cables | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Hifi Deluxe | | Bottom Line: | Really sweet cable set for rear. Front proved to be somewhat fickle. Overall, there was a very noticeably smoother shifting with absolutely no friction in the cables. Seriously, this stuff is almost as smooth as my DA equipped road bike... awesome! The only downside is they are kind of spendy and routing a top pull derailleur proved kinda difficult and I'm a shop guy... experienced some bunching and eventual fracture of the internal sleeve material forcing me to trim it back 1/2". If you're careful during setup this may be avoidable.
Compared to the Avid Flak Jacket set-up, the Gore's are simpler and have the slight edge for slick shifts. Compared to high end aftermarket housing from Jagwire and Shimano, it is a comparable setup with superior performance. The only downside is that this additional performance costs a pretty penny. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Darkstar
a Weekend Warrior
from Oceanside Ca
Date Reviewed: December 4, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Whatever I am riding | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Competitive Cyclist | | Strengths: | long lasting and maintenance free | | Weaknesses: | expense and you cannot just get a replacement cable so if you have a cable issue you get to buy it all over again. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano xtr, others | | Bike Setup: | Intense 5.5 xtr | | Bottom Line: | I happened to be on the phone with competive cyclist and somehow this was mentioned. I bought them instantly because years ago when they were available i used them and lvoed them. Gore left the US market for like 8 years or something. Back then I would put a set on my bike and it would last till I needed a new bike. It was impressive and the shifting was always spot on. The drop on release of shifting was always noticeably faster.
Well I got the new set and put them on. Unfortunately my XTR integrated levers started leaking before I got to ride it once. I had to pull the lever and send it to shimano. Now as you can imagine I have a cable cut that I had to pull back through the lines. Will I get it back through? I don't know but I call Competitive to buy just a replacement cable. Sorry you can buy a whole new set for $60 (I have found it for $40 now). Well that is BS. Yes the cable will last forever if you do not have some issue like I have and you do nothing no lube nada but what if you break a shifter or something? No replacement cables? $40 every time. I just do not think they give me that much here in Ca. Maybe in a muddy clime but not here. Also shame on the shops for not stocking cables on a kit you sell. That is lame. I know Gore offers them in shop boxes just like any other cable. That would allow you to buy and piece you need and answer the issue below on the crazy wateful packaging. I am giving it 5 stars still because the product still rocks but since you cannot get replacements I still would not recomend it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Graham
a Weekend Warrior
from NH
Date Reviewed: October 28, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | The Dark Side | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Online | | Strengths: | Well sealed for sure. Very likely low maintenance. Amazing packaging, good product support. | | Weaknesses: | High friction. I don't care what they say, by running a liner the full length of the line, the friction increases. Action is smooth, but there is significant resistance. Obvious when compared to the generic cables I was running before. I'm kind of anal about having brakes and shifting that feels digital, so I bought the advertising hook line and sinker. I've had much better performance from generic cables well lubed with silicone spray. I'm sure these will last much longer though(bummer, now I'm stuck with them). And whats with the packaging? Who cares about packaging? I'm convinced a large portion of the exorbitant price is due to the ridiculously elaborate packaging. Gore also ads these pointless little red tags so you can advertise for them. | | Similar Products Used: | lots of generic cables from my local shop | | Bike Setup: | 8spd xt/xtr, V-brakes | | Bottom Line: | Robust, well sealed, expensive, exotic, with false claims of exceptionally low friction. Oh yeah, did I mention the packaging is out of this world? Low value unless you plan on never maintaining you cables. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Colddiver98
a Weekend Warrior
from PNW, Oregon
Date Reviewed: October 11, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | MRT | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint.com | | Strengths: | Easy installation. Sealed system to help keep dirt out of the sleeves. Clean crisp shifts and virtually no cable stretch. | | Weaknesses: | Price is a little steep, but nothing else compares and it's quickly forgotten on the first technical climb when you need to grab a quick gear change. | | Similar Products Used: | Stock braided and PTFE coated cables from a variety of bikes. | | Bike Setup: | XT front and XTR rear derailleur with SRAM PG-990 cassette. Easton AM Havoc wheelset.XT shifters. | | Bottom Line: | Great shifting cables without the worry of steel jackets to pinch and wear your lines. I've been riding these for about 350 miles and in conditions from dusty Tahoe trails to snow covered Oakridge. These are holding up well and have required zero adjustments since install. This will be the first upgrade on every bike from now on. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ssorgs
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Strengths: | Sealed! No lubing necessary. Durable. Hardly seem to stretch (though it's ok to stretch ;-) | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | Teflon, jagwire | | Bike Setup: | Maverick Durance w/DUC, X9, XT, Juicy 7s, Mavic 819s, Speedball R, Minion DHF (F) & Nevegal UST (R), ATACs... | | Bottom Line: | Sealed Ride-Ons are awesome. Mavericks are very sensitive to front shifter cable condition as they run thru a 180 deg to a roadie FD. With Ride-Ons the shifting has been great and has been that way since the day I installed them about 13 mos ago.
Seem impervious to mud and rain. Only time I had an issue was after driving with bike on roof thru soaking, soaking rain, BUT turned out that was with the front and rear ders, not the cables. Lubed the pivots and was back in bidness.
Considering I was spending $20 or so to replace cables and sometimes housing yearly, along with the degradation in shifting leading up to the change out, $65 once every (many?) years is actually a bargain. It's hardly an upgrade but it's made shifting almost invisible. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Vespasianus
a Cross Country Rider
from Lansdale, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Ones with Dirt | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Chain reaction | | Strengths: | Ease of install, great directions, fantastic performance and long life. | | Weaknesses: | Expensive. | | Similar Products Used: | Older gores, regular teflon cables, Shimano and SRAM cables | | Bike Setup: | Titus ML with SRAM X9 grip-shifters and BB7 brakes. White Gore, fully sealed brake and derailleur cables. | | Bottom Line: | I had Gore cables in the early 90's and never really though much of them until I had to switch back to regular cables (sold the bike). I was absolutely shocked at how much better the Gore cables were. The new cables are even better! The web-site has video's that will guide you through the install, which is easy. The performance is second to none. I use grip shift and the cables make all the difference. I have already had a couple of mud rides and I notice no loss in performance. Highly recommended for those still running gripshift.
I also run bb7 brakes and honestly, they should come with these cables. So much smoother and much better modulation.
Honestly, they are expensive but knowing I wont have to change/maintain my cables for the next 5+ years is worth it. Plus, I got the white and they look great!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
fenby
a Weekend Warrior
from Cardigan
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Cadair Idris | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Keeps your gear shifting working properly | | Weaknesses: | Price | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano | | Bike Setup: | '97 Cannondale Super-V 900, '05 Marzocchi All mountain 1 forks | | Bottom Line: | I go riding every weekend for 2 - 7 hours, usually in mud and sometimes through deep water. Thinking back over all the years I've been mountainbiking I realise I've wasted countless hours attempting to keep my gears shifting properly using regular gear cables. Full suspension bikes seem to be more prone to gear shifting problems because of the extra outer cable which is necessary. I think that £40 is expensive, but all full suspension bikes which are used in muddy conditions should have them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
RobertCShay
a Cross Country Rider
from Stamford, CT, USA
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$64.00 | | Purchased At: | Backcountry | | Strengths: | Easy to install
Little to no cable friction
Completely sealed system
Excellent customer service | | Weaknesses: | None yet | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano cables | | Bike Setup: | 2008 Stumpjumper hardtail | | Bottom Line: | These cables were easy to install, have no friction, and they are completely sealed from the elements. All of these attributes are important to me as I ride in below freezing temperatures in ice, snow, sleet, and slush that includes road salt. If moisture gets on my cables they will freeze and prevent me from shifting. Gore Ride-On cables keep the water and contaminents out of my cable system and allow me to ride worry free in all conditions.
Customer service is excellent. After installing my cables and riding for a few weeks, my shifters broke. I contacted the folks at Gore and asked if a standard Shimano cable will work in their system. They said Yes, but it won't have the special lubrication the Gore cables have. So they sent me new cables right away. Can't beat that.
While these cables are expensive, they will keep you riding in all conditions and will probably last a few times longer than traditional cables and housing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bnystrom
a Cross Country Rider
from Nashua, NH
Date Reviewed: April 9, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | backcounty.com | | Strengths: | Ultra-smooth shifting, fully sealed, Long-term durability (based on previous version), outstanding customer support | | Weaknesses: | Enclosed instructions do not include modifications required for SRAM XO/X9 rear derailleurs (as of 4/09) | | Similar Products Used: | Original Ride-On cables, Avid Flack Jackets, Aztec Powerlines, Dry Cables, Campy, Shimano, Jagwire and many others over the years. | | Bike Setup: | '06 Jamis Dakar XC Pro with Sram XO twist shifters and derailleurs. | | Bottom Line: | These are arguably the best cables on the market. My 12 year old Proflex 856 still has the original Ride-On cables on it and it still shifts perfectly. I really missed them when Gore pulled out of the cable market and was really psyched to see them available again. None of the cables I tried in the interim worked as well and some were disasters. The problems were due to liners and cable coatings that were too soft and wore out quickly, and housing wires that weren't adequately constrained. Gore uses a hard coating on their cables and a hard liner. This minimizes friction and maximizes durability. The hard liner also helps to support the steel strands in the housing, preventing them from migrating or collapsing.
Installation of the new version is easy if you follow the instructions, but there is one modification you need to make for XO/X9 rear derailleurs. Leave 3/4" of the inner liner protruding at the derailleur end (the instructions specify 3/8". The grub seal will catch on the rear derailleur, but it will slide on the extended liner and keep the system completely sealed. There is information about this on their website, but I only discovered it AFTER installing the cables according to the packaged instructions. I contacted Gore about this and they sent replacement parts immediately. I've found over the years that nobody has better service than Gore.
As I expected, the shifting is flawless - smooth, crisp and precise. I can't comment on their long-term durability yet, but I fully expect that they'll be as good as the originals. Considering that they will likely outlast several sets of other cables, they're actually a great value despite their high price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ering
a Weekend Warrior
from cali
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | diablo | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | pp | | Strengths: | Unbelievable shifting | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Avid Flakjacket, shimano junk | | Bike Setup: | AM | | Bottom Line: | Absolutely the smoothest shifting I have ever felt. I thought the Avids were great, and they were, but these are well worth the price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
woods247
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Strengths: | Seamless, smooth, reliable, long lasting, fast shifting cables. The new version is VERY easy to install and the reduction in friction is well worth the money alone. Shifting requires much less effort and is more precise than regular calbes & housing. Best customer service I've delt with. | | Weaknesses: | They're a little pricey, but well worth the money. All of the kits should include enough housing to run solid housing front and rear. You must purchase the "XL" kit if you plan to run uninterrupted housing. | | Similar Products Used: | Original Gore cables in the 90s. Regular Jag crap. | | Bike Setup: | 2008 EWR with XTR & Gore - 1994 Kona Hot with era XTR and original Gore - 1996 ProFlex Animal with era XT and original Gore (perfect for internally routed rear derailleur cable on this frame) | | Bottom Line: | Two of my 90s bikes have the orginal Gore cables and they still work flawlessly. They were a pain to install, but fortuantelly I paid attention during installation and I've never had problems. One of these bikes is still ridden weekly and shifts without trouble. My EWR has the new version and was MUCH EASIER to install. They feel smoother too. When I lived in Florida, most of the riding envolved mud. These cables keep mud out. Period. You don't have to change them. They're also great for frames and swingarms with internal routing or tight angles. Buy the cables. Make sure you get the "XL" kit if you are running solid housing on hardtails or full suspension bikes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jwehmeyer
a Cross Country Rider
from Northern VA
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Fountainhead | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Hudson Trail Outfitt | | Strengths: | Eliminates shifting problems due to friction (and dirt)
Easy to install
Leads to smooth/crisp shifting in all conditions | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano cables | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mountain ETSX | | Bottom Line: | If you own a MTB, you MUST upgrade to Gore cables. Before you spend $$$$$ replacing components due to shifting problems, start with these cables (make sure you get the Gore "sealed, low-friction" type). The on-line video is easy to follow and you only need two tools (an awl and housing/cable cutters). Easily the best purchase I have ever made. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Richmond, VA
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Works great | | Weaknesses: | finicky installation. Costs more up front | | Similar Products Used: | xtr, jagwire | | Bike Setup: | FS | | Bottom Line: | 7 years later, hundreds of rides in all conditions, still perfect shifts every time. Like a Thompson seatpost or King HS - install it right, then forget about it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Louis
a Cross Country Rider
from London, UK
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | Evans | | Strengths: | Faultless performance
Outstanding resistance to contamination
Straightforward installation
Support from Gore has been superb | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Everything else has been second rate | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Caffeine | | Bottom Line: | This product has transformed the shifting on my mtb.
The rrp seems steep initially, BUT then you realize that you don't have to replace any part of your cable system routinely, and you save a huge amount of time beacuse you don't have to repeatedly clean and fettle your gear system.
I plan to replace the cables on all my bikes with this.
Highly recommended.
NB Gore do 'Extra Long' sets for bikes needing uninterrupted runs of cable | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto Ontario Canada
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Albion Hills | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | Price Point | | Strengths: | Quality Materials
Ease of Installation | | Weaknesses: | None yet | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano | | Bike Setup: | Jamis Dakota Elite
XT Drivetrain & Cranks, Race Face Cockpit & Seatpost,Mavic Crossrides, Formula K18 Brakes, Marzocchi 600 Retro Fork | | Bottom Line: | I just installed these cables on my new Jamis Dakota Elite Hardtail,and felt that I should write a review to address some of the comments that I read in previous reviews.
It's been a long winter in Toronto with record snowfall, and to keep myself sane I decided to build up a new hardtail to replace my aging Fisher X-Caliber. I shopped the Internet and based the build on a 2006 Jamis Dakota Elite frame from Jenson.($225 a sweet deal)
I got everything put together myself and was down to installing the new Shimano XT shifters and cables. I laid out all the parts and soon realized that Shimano does not include enough material to do the job.(nice touch Shimano)
I decided to go online and buy a new cable system that did have the required parts. I read some reviews here that spoke of installation issues with the Gore Ride On Systembut also praised the durability and sweet operation. I decided to take a leap of faith and purchased the set from Price Point.(a very competitive and reliable online vendor)
Here are my tips for installing this system on your bike:
1. Buy the right tools to do the job!You absolutely need a good pair of cable cutters, a pointed awl, and a pair of channel locks or wire pliers. I also highly recommend a bike work stand. I bought a Park 3 years ago and I swear that it paid for itself the first few months I owned it! I really can't imagine working on a bike without one.
2. Go to the Gore website and download the installation video. It is very easy to follow. The printed directions are OK but nothing beats seeing something being installed.
3. Lay out all the parts and make sure that you know what they all are before you start.
4. The Gore cables come with both a Shimano and a Campangolo end already attached. Triple check to make sure you cut off the right end because once you snip there is no going back. The Shimano end is the bigger of the two.
5. If you are replacing existing cables on your bike, don't tear everything apart at once. Do one side at a time.
6. Take your time!!! What's the rush? The inner liner must be handled with care so you don't kink it. Be sure to insert the awl into the ends of the outer housing after cutting. This eliminates any issues when threading the inner liner through.
7. Make sure your system is shifting properly before you cut off the excess cable. You may end up needing it!
8. Pay attention to the Grub Seals. The ends are different and the video shows you which is which. After the final cut, crimp on the end cap and cover it with the red rubber seal.
That's my 2 cents worth. I am not a bicycle mechanic by any means and my system went together flawlessly. The Gore System components all look high quality and added a professional look to my bike. Because of aforementioned record snowfall in Toronto, I'll have to wait a month to get out and really test this system. I have a short inside track in my basement and the limited shifting it allows has all been flawless so far. I'll file another review after this riding season.
I'll go 4 Chilies each until I see how this system really performs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve M
a Cross Country Rider
from Prescott Valley, AZ
Date Reviewed: December 8, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Trail 100 in Phoenix | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | Universal Cycle | | Strengths: | Easy to install and a major upgrade in profromance.
Totally sealed system, no need to lubricate. | | Weaknesses: | Somewhat expensive but well worth the cost. | | Similar Products Used: | Standard lined brake cable. | | Bike Setup: | 15 year old Cannondale | | Bottom Line: | I recently decided to give my old Cannondale a $500 upgrade in new drive train, wheels and brakes. I noticed a great profromance gain in everything except the brakes. When they got exposed to dirt or moisture the brakes (especially the rear) would bind-up or lock-up the wheel. I saw these cables at Universal Cycles.com and was delighted that Gore was in the cable making business again. These cables have turned my brakes from crap to exceptional stoppers overnight. If you are having problems with your V-brakes, give these cables a try before you buy new brakes, you won't be sorry. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cesar
a Weekend Warrior
from Gilbert, AZ
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Anywhere I can find | | Strengths: | Best cables made period. I've been using these cables for over 5 years. Just like the guy before me said, you only change them when you change frames. Best 50 bucks you'll ever spend on your bike. They stopped making them for a while. During that time I would go to every bike shop I could and look for a set. The last set I bought was two years ago and I paid $60 because I had to have them for my new Ti road bike. | | Weaknesses: | Some people find them tough to install. I had the luck of having my first set installed by the Gore rep at a bike race. The rep took the time to teach me as well. | | Similar Products Used: | Every other cable known to man. I've tried them all and nothing comapares. I'm currenlty running XTR cables on my MTB. They're OK but they aint Gores! | | Bike Setup: | Niner Rip 9, full XTR, Chris King Hubs and Headset, Stan's Rims laced by yours truly, Thomson Stem and Post, Easton Monkey Lite, Selle Italia. | | Bottom Line: | If you want the best cables spend the extra money. They last forever and are soo slick it makes your shifting feel more precise. Take your time installing them. It's a little different but the instruction are well written. The best 60 bucks you'll ever spend on your bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from UK
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | wiggle.co.uk | | Strengths: | Slick shifts for 6 years | | Weaknesses: | Price? But seeing as they lasted maybe 6 times longer than other brands I'd say they're really good value | | Similar Products Used: | XT, Transfil (various), Nokian etc. | | Bottom Line: | I put these on my Cannondale 6 years ago and the only reason I changed them is because I bought a new frame. Discovered they stopped making them though, bugger! Tracked some down in a bike shop after looking for 6 months and they're as slick as the old ones.
Just discovered today they're making them again! OK, with a list price of £40 (about $80)(or £26 at wiggle at the moment) they're not cheap but I'd spend that much on cables in the mean time anyway and they do seem slicker than most.
As for fitting, just take your time and they're easy to fit; I never had any problems so far.
It's a bold statement but I'd say they're the best cables available! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
braendi
a Cross Country Rider
from switzerland
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Einbauen und vergessen! | | Weaknesses: | Braucht ein bisschen Geduld beim montieren. | | Bottom Line: | Nachdem die Originalkabel nach jeweils drei Monaten Wartung nötig hatten, weil sie einfach nur noch schwergängig zu betätigen waren, habe ich die (damals) rund 70 CHF in die Hand genommen und Gore-Ride-On montiert. Das war vor 6 JAHREN. Seitdem nie gewartet und die Dinger gingen bis heute wie neu. Genial. Nun habe ich meine Shifter gewechselt und das ging leider nicht mehr, ohne das Wechseln der Kabelzüge und -hüllen. Neu scheint Ride-On in der Schweiz nicht mehr erhätlich zu sein. Schade. Mal schauen, ob sich die XT-Züge und -Hüllen ebensogut schlagen. Ich zweifle. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob L
a Cross Country Rider
from Silverado Ca
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Piss'n Moan | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Light; extremely smooth; supposedly long lasting | | Weaknesses: | NO LONGER MADE!!! Somewhat more tedious to install but not as bad as everyone else mde them out to be. | | Similar Products Used: | Aztec teflons, all the standard brands | | Bike Setup: | Blur LT trail | | Bottom Line: | Bought these about 4 years ago and heard how they were difficult to install so I stashed them and then forgot about them. About 2 years ago I I picked up some XO trigger shifters and stashed them as well. Then my wrist began giving me grief, so I intstalled the shifters with the Gore cables (much easier than expected) and WOW, what a difference! Lightning fast shifts and outrageously smooth.
just before I installed, a friend offered me twice what I paid; said he had a pair on for 4 years with no noticible loss of performance.
I had tried early teflon coated; the coating just wore off and clogged the housings. So far the stainless smooth drawn types have been the best, but still reqiured regular replacing.
Too bad Gore gave up on these. Great idea with great performance. I'll be bummed if I crash and damage these!
But I may drop Gore line and see if they plan on bringing them back...
5 flamers for value up front if they last longer than 2 years, 5 more for the way they work. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob L
a Cross Country Rider
from Silverado Ca
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Piss'n Moan | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Light; extremely smooth; supposedly long lasting | | Weaknesses: | NO LONGER MADE!!! Somewhat more tedious to install but not as bad as everyone else mde them out to be. | | Similar Products Used: | Aztec teflons, all the standard brands | | Bike Setup: | Blur LT trail | | Bottom Line: | Bought these about 4 years ago and heard how they were difficult to install so I stashed them and then forgot about them. About 2 years ago I I picked up some XO trigger shifters and stashed them as well. Then my wrist began giving me grief, so I intstalled the shifters with the Gore cables (much easier than expected) and WOW, what a difference! Lightning fast shifts and outrageously smooth.
just before I installed, a friend offered me twice what I paid; said he had a pair on for 4 years with no noticible loss of performance.
I had tried early teflon coated; the coating just wore off and clogged the housings. So far the stainless smooth drawn types have been the best, but still reqiured regular replacing.
Too bad Gore gave up on these. Great idea with great performance. I'll be bummed if I crash and damage these!
But I may drop Gore line and see if they plan on bringing them back...
5 flamers for value up front if they last longer than 2 years, 5 more for the way they work. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pål Gausel
a Cross Country Rider
from Norway
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | chainreaction cycles | | Strengths: | Durability. | | Weaknesses: | Cant get them in Norway. | | Similar Products Used: | Avid and Shimano cables | | Bike Setup: | Shimano xtr dual control | | Bottom Line: | In 7 years I have had 2 pairs of gore cables and have never had problems with them.
The only reason I changed teh first set for a new was that I wanted a diffrent color.
If I can find out where they're still sold I will buy new ones.
And I do not think the price is to bad, considering how long they last. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chad
a Cross Country Rider
from Vacaville, CA
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | swap meet | | Strengths: | Smooth shifting year after year. | | Weaknesses: | Price, originally, and the installation is a bit tedious. | | Similar Products Used: | Just Shimano cables and housing. | | Bike Setup: | Manitou HT with a mix of components. | | Bottom Line: | The only reason I had to install a new set was because I bought a new rear derailleur, otherwise they were still working after 7 years. I found some at a swap meet and decided to get a new set. They are a bit tricky to install, but they are really worth it. I tried to use the Nokon cables a while back, and really messed them up. Wish they still made these. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ken
a Cross Country Rider
from Bath
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | ? | | Strengths: | Maintenance free consistant performance for years. | | Weaknesses: | Not sold everywhere | | Similar Products Used: | normal coated and uncoated cables. | | Bike Setup: | Some high end, some not so high end. I spend the money where it makes a difference. | | Bottom Line: | First set took some time to install, but once you get the idea of what they are doing it doesn't really take any longer than other cables.
I took them off only because of bike changes. I tried regualar cable at first on new bike and after just a few times caught in the rain you realize how valueable they are.
I don't think I am typical though. I like my stuff to work and work like it is new even though it is not. I don't want the performance of things to change with conditions (something are unavoidable). Other guys I ride with just accept hunting for gears and ghost shifting. I don't!
I have been using this pair for 4 years and they shift just as nicely now as the day I put them on.
I really can't see anyone having issues with them. I could see them being overkill for many riders as many just don't seem to care.
Ken. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from Chester Springs, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Long life, no drop in performance over the 9 years in service. Eliminated my monthly deraileur and cable cleaning /adjusting. | | Weaknesses: | none... worth every penny for MTB riders. | | Similar Products Used: | Stock shimano, generic bike-shop cables. | | Bike Setup: | '96 Obed, X-Ray shifters, XT rear. | | Bottom Line: | Amazing product. I can't believe that they don't make them anymore. I'll be stocking my garage w/ a lifetime supply (maybe three more sets) from Ebay. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
William Hill
a Cross Country Rider
from Middletown, CT, USA
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | case mtn | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | no maintenance, smooth shifting | | Weaknesses: | price | | Similar Products Used: | Recently started using a similar product offered by Dry Cables www.drycables.com | | Bike Setup: | GT I-drive | | Bottom Line: | Install Gore Cables and forget about them for years. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug Holzman
a Cross Country Rider
from Milwaukee,Wi,uUS
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Nine Mile Forest | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Price Point | | Strengths: | Shifting and braking strength is improved dramatically. Good at protecting the cables on sandy courses and heavy mud. | | Weaknesses: | Installation takes paitence, takes me 10 minutes longer than standard cables and I am not a bike mechanic. | | Similar Products Used: | Standard teflon coated cables | | Bike Setup: | 1999 Schwinn S30 and an 03 Sugar Team Issue | | Bottom Line: | It is hard to find the cables, but worth the money. It will be three years I have had my cables. In that time and with the conditions I ride in, I would of replaced my cables at least 10 times. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lucas
a
from England
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Design. Zero maintainance, stiction-free braking. | | Weaknesses: | Unavoidable, but the sections of cable length which expose the plastic inner are vulnerable. | | Bike Setup: | Specialized FSR Enduro. Shimano Deore LX, Jagwire cartridges with Aztec pads. | | Bottom Line: | The bike had a set of Ride-On cables from new in '98. Cable performance was perfect until I caught the plastic inner on the exposed section between the cable lugs on the cross-bar. Once it's got a kink in it the plastic inner is as good as finished, and so is whichever brake it's attached to. I cut out the section which was ruined and ran the bike for a couple of months. Cable efficiency started to deteriorate as soon as the rain and mud worked it's way in. I ran a cheap cable for a couple of weeks while I tried to find replacements and now, thankfully, I'm Riding On again. I managed to get a set new for £14 on ebay (they're usually about £24 in stores) and spent a couple of hours fitting them. This may seem like a long time for brakes but it's worth it for these cables. I see that some folk have had problems with fitting. Like I said, I took my time. Cut the outers; file the cut ends; smooth the inside of the cuts with the spike on your cable cutters; take care not to crease the inners; apply a little wax/dry lube into ferrules and cable ends just to help the sealing; do everything gently and double check measurements.
I ignored the supplied instructions to 'trumpet' the inners to fit in the ferrules, taking them all the way to the ball-ends when the brake is relaxed. This seems more logical for keeping the rain out than stopping at the ferrule, and it doesn't impede the cable operation. Depends on your lever set up, I guess.
Weatherproof aspects aside, the cables themselves are extremely efficient.
These cables worked 'like new' for almost eight years; no sticking, zero stretch or compression. Hopefully, and with a little more care on my part, this set will do just as well.
If I could give six flammin' chillis I would. Gladly.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Crook
a Weekend Warrior
from Germany
Date Reviewed: November 8, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | Action Sports | | Strengths: | Did not get that far in the installation | | Weaknesses: | Can only speak of the installation. Liner got stuck half-way along the outer casing, meaning the liner got kinked and hence rendered useless. I believe the fault was with the outer casing and not the user. I did use a good pair of cutters (Felco) and cleaned up the ends of the liner and outer casing before feeding the liner through. | | Bike Setup: | Giant TCR-2 | | Bottom Line: | Maybe great at shifting? I will never know as I did not get past installation. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Munich
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Chiemgau | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Chainreactioncycles | | Strengths: | They seal the system from mud allowing buttery smooth gear changes even on the mudiest of rides. | | Weaknesses: | Require professional instalation | | Similar Products Used: | Avid Flakjackets | | Bike Setup: | High end Ti hardtail | | Bottom Line: | These were fitted for me by my local bike shop to replace my existing bogstandard shimano gear cables cables. Shifting is as smooth as butter even on the muddiest of rides. I also bought matching brake cables, but CHAINREACTIONCYCLES sent me the wrong outer cables. Sent them back and got sent replacements which were AGAIN wrong. Sort it out CHAINREACTION :( thats the last time i´m buying from you! Got fed up with the arsing around and got my money back (eventually). To get the most out of your cables have them professionally fitted, you´ll notice the difference !
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from UK
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | chain reaction | | Strengths: | Fit these, and remove shifting from bar room whinges | | Weaknesses: | I guess the best is seldom the cheapest | | Similar Products Used: | Regular cut-it-yourself, Shimano kits | | Bike Setup: | Mount Vision - every part replaced since 1997 apart from brake/gear pods. Avid mechanical discs. | | Bottom Line: | With these fitted, noticed recently that rear mech shifting was becoming sort of ordinary. But then realised they had been on the bike for 4 years, with no problems whatsoever during summer/winter use and occasional 6-day epics. Must have been lucky with the installation, I guess.
Gotta give 'em full marks.
Off I go to the shop for some more. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Weekend Warrior
from UK
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Chainreactioncyles.co.uk | | Strengths: | Very low friction operation. Excellent operation in whatever conditions. | | Weaknesses: | Ferrule breakage | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano XT on one bike and no name stuff that came with the other bike | | Bike Setup: | SRAM with Gripshifts.
| | Bottom Line: | The cables worked extremly well and I'd say that they were essential if you use Gripshifts. However the ferrule ovalized and came away from the outer at the point of entry to the shifters resulting in the inner tearing through the outer. This happened 3 weeks after the 1year warranty had expired so I'm not a happy bunny.
My XT cables on my other bike are still working fine after 6 years.
When is someone going to develop hydraulic gears? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ward Grootjans
a Cross Country Rider
from Maastricht, Limburg, Nederland
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Evers | | Strengths: | Absolutely without friction and when using the rubber protection no dust or mud can get into the outer cable. I think this setup will work for a long Time! | | Weaknesses: | The price is definetly its biggest weakness. I also recommend to let it be installed by a professional as these cables have to be cut very precise. Use the right tool for the right job!! the right tool for this job costs € 27,50 which means that it is cheaper if you leave it up to your bike store | | Similar Products Used: | original cables which were jag-wire, served me well for a year | | Bike Setup: | Nishiki Competition, Xtr setup | | Bottom Line: | A very good product worth the cost so far, quiet strange that so many people have extremely expensive bikes but are just using stock cables. A forgotten opportunity i would say | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phil
a Racer
from Rapid City, SD
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Hermosa Creek | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Buttery smooth shifting with one time set up and forget it, REGARDLESS of the terrain or sloppy conditions you ride in. | | Weaknesses: | Setting them up can be a little "testing" until you are used to it and, unless you have several bikes, you won't install them more than once every 5 years! | | Similar Products Used: | Normal cables and housing are not even in the same category. | | Bike Setup: | Several bikes: Cannondale tandem mountain bike converted to road; Three Cannondale mountain bikes, one Trek Road bike; Santa Cruz Superlight dream bike on the way. (It will be set up with gore cables too.) | | Bottom Line: | The Gore Ride-On cable system has no equal. I can't really believe that anyone could find fault in these cables, IF you set them up properly. In fact, I'm disappointed to see such a low "chili pepper" score simply because people are probably not installing this superior product properly.
My wife and I are both professional mountain bike racers and train almost exclusively on a road tandem. We purchased the tandem in 1996 and still ride it today. We installed the Gore Ride-On cables in 1996 and did not touch them for 6 years!!! Now if we can do that, riding in all types of conditions 8,000-10,000 miles per year, there is not a problem with them. Eventually the cable wore out at the curve as it rounds the bottom bracket. I installed a new one and have been shifting flawlessly for another year and a half. Incidentally, a tandem requires a pretty long cable. I got this through my LBS without a problem, but he has said recently that he can't get a hold of even standard length Gore cables. If their low availability is due to bad review that will be a travesty.
They are expensive at ~$50 per bike but I only use them for the rear derailleurs since they are the ones that suffer the most when friction gets high. That way you can set up two bikes with one package. I would give this product 6 flamin chilis if they were available.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Julio Diaz
a Weekend Warrior
from Gilbert
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | National at South Mtn | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint | | Strengths: | The best calbe system period! | | Weaknesses: | Price. Hard to find at a good price. LBS usually over price these things. 30-40 bucks is a good price. 50-60 bucks is too much. | | Similar Products Used: | Avid Flak Jacket, Delta crap, and Shimano cable sets | | Bike Setup: | Kona Bear with C-Dale remote lokcout for the rear. Fox fork, Easton carbon and magnesium all the way around. Chris King all the way around and full XT as well. Smokin!! | | Bottom Line: | Every bike I have ever owned has had Ride-On cables isntalled. It's the best system I ahve ever used and I have used them all. You isntall them and forget it about them. They work becuase they are slipplery and they stay clean. Nuff said. I will admit that the first couple of time you isntall the cables it si a little funky. However, once you've isntalled five sets like me. It's cake and well worth every penny. In my opinion a good product is one that you can install and forget about it until it fails. Sure forks and such need maintenance but Gore cables never need maintenance. Two thumbs up and 5 hot chilis all the way around. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stephen Rush
a Weekend Warrior
from London
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Rollercoaster, Surrey | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | wiggle.co.uk | | Strengths: | None that I've found | | Weaknesses: | Doesn't fit my bike! I need around 175cm (69 inches) of derailleur cable outer to fit my full-sus frame and the Ride-Ons only come with around 160cm. Of course I didn't find this out until the last bit of the installation so had to resort to my old cable outers which utterly defeats the point of this (expensive) sealed system. A complete failure - never again. | | Bike Setup: | Intense Tracer | | Bottom Line: | Don't buy the derailleur cables if you have a full-sus frame! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Wood
a Cross Country Rider
from Cincinnati, OH
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Tower Park | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Campus Cyclery | | Strengths: | Shifting is still great after the muddiest of rides
buttery smooth after 2 years never lubed or adjusted
Lasts years | | Weaknesses: | if inner housing gets damaged, shifting goes down the tube
instructions are unclear | | Similar Products Used: | Avid Flak Jacket
Standard cables | | Bike Setup: | Kona Explosif with XT shifters/der.
Marin Bear valley with same | | Bottom Line: | I'm glad someone with experience showed me how to install these the first time. You have to flare the inner housing at the shifter end to keep it inside the ferrule. I've installed them on the rear only on both my bike and my wife's about two years ago. When her shifter broke, I didn't have to buy the whole kit, just the cable and inner liner. When I consider how much I would have spent on cable, housing, and ferrules for standard cable for these two applications, I feel like I got a good deal. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ted
a Cross Country Rider
from rochester ny
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Strengths: | lasts the life of the bike. great in nasty new england climate - probably unneccesary in dry conditions | | Weaknesses: | must be very careful to install correctly (keep cables surgically clean) or you're done. | | Bike Setup: | jekyl 3000 with grip shift. | | Bottom Line: | anybody who thinks it sucks must have installed it wrong. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Downhiller
from Bristol,CT USA
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$23.00 | | Strengths: | None whatsoever. This is for the derailleur shifter cables | | Weaknesses: | AWFULL BEYOND BELIEF!! Avoid avoid avoid.. The cheesy cable sheathing peels away | | Similar Products Used: | Avid Flak Jackets (work fine), Shimano SIS for derailleurs (perfect until worn). | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn Straight 8 DH. | | Bottom Line: | Simply do NOT BUY the derailleur cable sets. I had 2, so when the first set crapped out on my XC bike, I should have learned my lesson. But I set up my DH bike with the rear derailleur Gore Ride-On cable and, ONE 3 hour ride at Mt Snow and it was jamming the cable pretty good.
The gore coating is actually a spiral wrap, which peels at the entry points of the liner housing. It then prevents shifting. Ghosting, chain skip on cassette like mad. Change to Shimano SIS and TA DA, totally fixes problem.
The brake Gore Ride on cables have been fine on my GIANT NRS, and avid discs. Don't know why the derailleur cables are crap. Good installation, Bad application for product as shifter cables.. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Brsitol
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$32.00 | | Strengths: | Brake Cable System- Excellent feel and smoothness for mechanical disc brakes LOVE THEM
Derailleur Cable System- AWFUL TERRIBLE UNRELIABLE
| | Weaknesses: | Brake cable housing are a little bigger in diameter, no big deal though.
Derailleur cables, CRAP coating on cables peels easily at the end of cables or rub points on bottom bracket cable guide, EVEN using as directed. It completey bugs up the shifting. I peeled it ALL off and it runs smoother, but I coulda had the same from cheap Shimano or Avid cables.
| | Similar Products Used: | Shimano SIS- all I'll use now, it works, period
Avid brake and shifter cables- Brakes cables coating rubbed off at bends and becomes sticky, derailleur housing from Avid is HUGE for some reason, hard to bend correctly.
| | Bike Setup: | 2002 Enduro- 100% cutom build
2001 GIANT NRS 1- 100% custom build | | Bottom Line: | FORGET the Gore shifter cable set. Save your money.
GET the Gore brake cable set for reliable and smooth braking power, no drag after 6 month, no adjustments except new pads for my Avid mechainical disc brakes.
I will give 4 starts, BUT stay away from teh shifter cables, that stupid coating peels back. UGH. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Mountain View CA
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint | | Strengths: | zero maintenance | | Weaknesses: | pain to install | | Similar Products Used: | standard cables | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlight | | Bottom Line: | I was curious how long these things could go with zero maintenance, and the answer was three years and about 5K miles. The rear cable finally snapped at the derailleur clamp. I left the housings on the long side, so I was able to just shorten one and pull some fresh cable. Let's see if they can go for another three years. Realistically, the smart thing is to leave the housings on the long side - no penalty with the Gore cables, and then shorten one and pull about 1/4 inch of cable every few years - to prevent the cable from wearing out at that one spot. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lothar of the Hill People
a Racer
from Ocomukowonowaukesha, WI
Date Reviewed: January 26, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | silky smooth shifting | | Weaknesses: | Harder to install then normal cables, price, housing has cracked | | Bike Setup: | SC Superlight | | Bottom Line: | Yeah, they work great (if properly installed) however they are probably overkill for most people. I tend to take very good care of my cables anyway and I don't ride in the mud so I really didn't notice any performance improvement over regular cables. For the price, I could have replaced my regular cables and housing 4 times!
I did have some install problems. Some of the cable coating started to unravel which could potentially clog up the housing. Also, the cable housing cracked at the rear derailler after 1 season.
My bottom line: unless you ride in the mud I would just use regular cables. With proper care and maintenance regular cables are every bit as good as these. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jake
a Racer
from Madison, Wi
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Super slick shifting and braking. Long term durability. | | Weaknesses: | Poor performance for the impatient or mentally flawed. A little pricey. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano, Avid, Delta | | Bike Setup: | Trek Fuel 100, SID Race, XTR, Easton, Bontrager | | Bottom Line: | These cables work flawlessly WHEN INSTALLED PROPERLY! Patience young grasshoppers. I've used these for years and have never had all the problems others have described. Nor have I resorted to using an inferior cable to replace the gore-tex one, that only increases wear on the liner. They however do take more time to install. Don't damage the liner on the cable or you're screwed. When cutting the housing liner carefully mark it and pull it off the cable. Then cut it with a new razor blade. Take your time, it's better to cut it too long and then remeasure and cut again. Don't forget to use and properly install the grub seals they provide, this keeps grit out.
These cables last me twice as long if not longer than any other cable set I've used. Considering the greatly reduced friction in braking and shifting they are worth the extra investment.
To save money install a regular cable on the front derailler, you don't need a gore-tex there. Then you have an extra for another bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stephen Smith
a Cross Country Rider
from Georgetown, IL, U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Strengths: | easy as any other to install, maintenance free if set up properly | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | other cables, sealed and unsealed | | Bike Setup: | Fully Rigid Trek 850, all upgraded, Mavic/Avid/Truvativ/SRAM/Easton | | Bottom Line: | Why anyone would spend the money they do on all the other parts of their drivetrain and not spend the extra money for these I DON'T KNOW!!! Once they're set up you're done! I have used these for years and I never have to go back and re-adjust anything! Maintenace Free Cycling is the best!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
font9a
a Cross Country Rider
from Menlo Park
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Sun Valley Cycles | | Strengths: | none | | Weaknesses: | the cables are three parts: outer housing, gore innner housing, and teflon coated steel cable. The first thing I did after realizing the inner housing caused the lever rebound to be so slow it was useless was to remove the inner housing. That seemed to be a good solution until about 5 miles into my next ride. Then the coating on the cable began to shred on the edges of the outer housing and caused so much drag, the brakes felt so bad I am changing cables after less than 30 miles.
I've used XTR cables as long as my bike has had brakes. They feel great compared to these gore pieces of crap.
I cannot recommend the gore cables to anyone. | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Chameleon/Race Face Next Carbon/XTR/Chris King/Campagnolo K2/Easton Carbon/Michelin Wildgrippers | | Bottom Line: | Expensive failure. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bufulo
a Cross Country Rider
from Grass Valley, CA
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Hole in the Ground | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria | | Strengths: | Still works like new after nearly a year! They are the only truly sealed system I've seen. | | Weaknesses: | Cable end caps (or whatever they're called) fit too loosely. I suppose they would be OK if I had the right tool. | | Similar Products Used: | Whatever comes with Shimano XT, XTR... garbage... lasted a month or so in wet conditions. | | Bike Setup: | Truth, Marathon, King stuff, etc... lots of goodies. | | Bottom Line: | Best shift cables I've had by far. I've been thru lots of mud and water and they still shift perfectly after nearly a year. The original Shimano cableset lasted less than 2 months before the housing was worn out due to all the crud inside.
I can't understand why people have problems with installation. Must be in a hurry or something. Use wire strippers to cut the liner. Piece of cake... or is that chicken soup?
The bottom line is that if you like good quality gear, these cables are the ones for you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jaycee
a Racer
from bflo
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | i love many trails... | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | pricepoint | | Strengths: | they are about a thousand times better than anything i have ever used. modulation. appearance. they might save a few grams. price. stylin' appearance. | | Weaknesses: | there are no weaknesses whatsoever. | | Similar Products Used: | cheap no-name cables, decent bmx cables & regular shimano cables. | | Bike Setup: | shimano's second from the top group. non-disc brakes. | | Bottom Line: | braking is really, really easy. one finger easily does it. therefore, braking is no longer the chore it used to be. you do not have to prepare to brake. you only brake as much as you need to. which ain't that much. you go faster. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony
a Cross Country Rider
from Bucks
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Any interesting singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Chain Reaction | | Strengths: | If installed correctly the whole system is sealed from the elements. The new grub rubber seal for the exposed rear shifter cable is a good idea. | | Weaknesses: | Instructions are crap. I realised that the inner lining should go through the last ferrule after I cut it. Luckily I allowed a little extra cable and managed to cut it down. The teflon coating frays easily. | | Similar Products Used: | Normal cables. Sachs extreme cables (lasted really well). | | Bike Setup: | Spesh Enduro expert. Marz Z3 flylights. Hope E4's. XT & Raceface gearing. X-Lite bars and post. | | Bottom Line: | As the cable routing on this bike is a bit unusual and the shifting was letting the bike down I fitted these. The shifting (at the moment) is now far better and lighter.
Some improvements could make it even better. The instructions need rewriting and the shifter ferrule (the first one)could have something to hold the inner sheath and stop it sliding in the outer. I have sealed the ends & hope they last. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Rockaway, NJ
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Leominster | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint | | Strengths: | came with a sticker, seems to be more flexible than conventional... | | Weaknesses: | too much more effort (and improvising) than expected from such a high priced cable. it took at least 3 hours to install the brake cables. | | Similar Products Used: | regular "come with the bike" cables | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale 98 M400, manitou sx, mavic wheels, Avid Ti brakes, blah blah blah... | | Bottom Line: | I messed up a bunch of the liner when i tried to insert it into the cable housing (per the instructions) thus ruining a lot of the cable length (didn't need the length for the front one anyway, but that shouldn't happen) **After trying every kind of grease and lubrication to get it to slide through the housing (as well as freezing the cable with liner overnight to make it shrink), i finally came up with the idea of twisting the spring like housing to expand it enough to allow the liner to slide through - worked, withthe help of a friend.
OK; i should have known something was up when the German instructions (they're made in germany) were paragraphs long and the corresponding english would say something short like "insert cable into housing". whatever, i found that using the whole length of liner produced too much fricion, so i cut it short of the brake noodle which had its own and it worked better. I suggest no one even tries them, and definitely don't spend too much $ if you really feel the need to test them for yourself. when they get dirty and rough, i'm going back to conventionals. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a
from Batavia, IL
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Price Point | | Strengths: | Smooth braking system, Attractive colors and complete with all required pieces | | Weaknesses: | Shifting cables not so smooth and installed at the same time as the brake cables. I had the damnedest time tuning the rear derailer and finally used my old JagWire inside the Gore sleeve and housing... not it's all good and silky smooth. | | Similar Products Used: | JagWire, XTR cables | | Bike Setup: | '98 Schwinn S-20 full XTR & Race Face Marz. Marathon, AD12, Urracos and Stans system | | Bottom Line: | Recommend only to the most patient of bikers since the set up and fine tuning took much longer than originally planned. I think the supplied cable is too spongy for the shifter application. The Jagwire modifications were good by themselves but outstanding with the Ride-On housing and sleeves. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chad Duffey
a Weekend Warrior
from Corona,CA
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Purchased At: | Circle City Cyclery | | Strengths: | Shifts great when its not contaminated. | | Weaknesses: | Shifts very poorly if you get it wet an dirty.
Expensive, Does not hold up in the real world. | | Similar Products Used: | Plain wire cables | | Bike Setup: | Giant AC1, All XT drivetrain | | Bottom Line: | This product was the best shifting cable setup that I ever had, until a had two rides involving sand, water and snow. The rear cable shifted so poorly it was a joke. Took it back to the shop, they pulled out the cables and the coating had came off of the inner wire, and the cable was sticking to the housing. I miss the great shifting I had when the cables were new, but I have gone back to standard plain wire cables, work ok, cheap to change. I'd say buy these cables if your a sponsered racer, with a mechnic. The gore ride-on's are like gremlins, they're ok, just don't get them wet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richago Petranovich
a Cross Country Rider
from Ogden, Utah, United States
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Under the lines, Moab | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | came with frame | | Strengths: | Silky, Stiction-free shifting, zero maintenance | | Weaknesses: | price? I haven't had to buy rteplacements yet. | | Similar Products Used: | cheap cables (oops), the not-so cheap that are smooth, with no-name and Shimano housing | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn Homegrown Factory Suspension, Cane Creek AD-10, XTR, XT shifters, hubs & freewheel, Avid brakes, Marzocchi Z2 w/speedsprings, Velocity rims, Thomson seatpost, Michelin Wildgripper Light | | Bottom Line: | A superb product. Pricy, requires a more thurough install, but WELL worth it. When mine wear out, I'm getting another set. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
PAN
a Cross Country Rider
from youngsville, la / philadelphia, pa
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Strengths: | IF installed correctly, will last a many moons. No maintenance once installed. Price: who thinks its cheaper to buy brand new cables and housing every 6 months, than to get these and have smooth shifting and braking for 2 or 3 years (with zero maintenance required)? With a little effort, you should be able to find either the shifter or brake set for (US)$35. | | Weaknesses: | They are finicky to set up the first time. | | Similar Products Used: | There are no other long-term cabling solutions better than these currently on the market. | | Bike Setup: | Intense Tracer, Chris King, Race Face, Grip Shift, Thompson, XTR, Selle Italia, Easton, Mavic, Gore-Tex | | Bottom Line: | As a former shop mechanic and racer, I have installed these cables on more than 20 bikes (customers, friends, and my own). For my bikes, each time ive used these cables they have lasted the life of the frame. As a matter of course i buy a new set with a new frame, using as much as i can salvage from the old frame first. I have some bits from a system as far back as 4.5 years ago. Each cable system has lasted me at least 1.5 years, and most recently ive had a brake/shifter system for 3 years. Ive never shied away from power hosing these cables either, and i have ridden through every type of condition imaginable.
When setting these cables up for the first time do the following: ensure you have a NEW razor blade for making cuts. make your cuts in one smooth motion connecting end to end (this is perhaps the most difficult part of setting the cables up). using a dull razor or making a poor cut will lead to premature fraying of the goretex on the cable. get your hands on more of the yellow rubber accordian boots (either write gore-tex, or see if your lbs or mail order company has some extras to buy or give away), and use these to fully seal the cable rather than leave a little bit of cable exposed! this is the best thing you can do to ensure a clean long-life system. On my bike, i have 2 yellow boots in front of the cable anchor bolt on the rear derailleur, 3 yellow boots across the tops of both my front and rear xtr v-brakes where the cable exits the noodle, and 2 just above the cable anchor bolt on my front xtr top-swing derailleur. its very easy to replace the boots should they become split. lastly, leave your cables as long as possible for use with your next bike.
You must remember that where you store your bike impacts everything plastic, rubber, or untreated metal on it. Plus, the amount of time the bike is exposed to direct sunlight and/or humidity is also a critical factor. This would perhaps explain the splitting problem that some people have experienced. Too sharp cabling bends are notorious for causing housing splits as well. As for the premature breaking of the cables at/near connection points some people have experienced, trust me that this is not usual! It sounds more like a set-up issue.
If you want a long-term no-hassle smooth-shifting/braking system, do some smart shopping and go for the Gore-Tex Ride-Ons. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, OR
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Best shifting, cables never get dirty | | Weaknesses: | After 5 yrs of experience, I can say the cable always breaks in less than 6 months of riding | | Similar Products Used: | standard cable | | Bike Setup: | SantaCruz superlight | | Bottom Line: | It was the best of cables, it was the worst of cables...
I ride in the muddy northwest and have used gore for my rear derailleur for 5yrs. Unlike standard cables, shifts great, and you never need to clean the cable.
However, the cable, ALWAYS breaks at the derailleur within 6 months. Usually the LBS will give me 1 or 2 free sets before I need to buy another so I'm not really out the money. However, I have to carry an extra cable when I ride so I can recable the bike when it breaks.
I'm getting tired of this crap and will reluctantly go back to standard.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a Cross Country Rider
from Grand Rapids, Mi, USA
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Ft Custer, Mt. Holly | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Great idea.
Works well until cable's teflon sheath in worn. | | Weaknesses: | Deteriorates fairly quickly. | | Similar Products Used: | Flak Jackets. Shimano calbes. Delta teflon. | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Santa Cruz Heckler. XT/XTR, Avid discs
| | Bottom Line: | If you get a bit creative you can get something that lasts for years. What I've done is used the Gore system as instructed ( with the liners) with the exception of the cables themselves. Instead, I'll use one of the black teflon impregnated cables like the Deltas. This way the Gore cable's teflon won't cause any problems when it starts to degrade. Usually by the second or third ride the Gore's teflon coating will start to pull away and bunch up and this is what causes all of the problems. The black teflon impregnated cables will never have this problem.
For what it's worth, I just added the Avid cable disc on the rear and have run full length housing to it. The feel at the lever is right up there with the XT Hydraulic Disc. If you look at the time saved having to screw around with cables versus the extra housing weight - it's a no-brainer. Next maintenance relieving project: run full length housing to my rear derailleur.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andreas Klauser
a Cross Country Rider
from Feldafing
Date Reviewed: February 5, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Rabe Munich | | Strengths: | Good shifting and braking, for a long time | | Weaknesses: | Expensive, not to be used like sold, better product on the market (see below) | | Similar Products Used: | the non super lights of Gore Tex Ride On. Nokon Trac Pearls, Nokon KonKavex | | Bike Setup: | Trek 9900 OCLV '98, Marzocchi Atom Race, Whizz Wheels (tune hubs, Mavic F618 Ceramic, DT Comp), Moots Seat post, Shim XTR | | Bottom Line: | Yeaah, these are good. But you have to use 'em with standard steel wires and NOT with the enclosed teflon coated wires. Steel on teflon, that's the trick, not teflon on teflon. The superlights and the standards before did function without any problems, hitherto. But, why not use the Nokon Konkavex System? This is absolutely suuupper, especially for the brakes when you use with boosters (see my reveiw on shimao xtr '98 brakes): these are as low friction as the Gores, are extra stable and completely eliminate longitudinal elasticity of the cable system. Try it out, and send me a bar of chocolate if you are satisfied. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ruefus
a Cross Country Rider
from Ohio
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$32.00 | | Purchased At: | Price Point | | Strengths: | Referring to the "ultralight" derailleur cables - they were simple to install compared to the original Gore cables. | | Weaknesses: | That "ultralight" housing is cheesy. It compresses, causing inconsistent shifting and massive frustration. | | Similar Products Used: | Regular SIS cables, the original Gore (with the teflon on the wire) | | Bike Setup: | '99 Homegrown, lotsa cool parts. | | Bottom Line: | I've been using Gore for nearly six years. The regular Gore cables are the best. When installed correctly, which means being very patient, they work better than anything for over a year or more.
These "ultralight" derailleur cables are crap. They are lighter, but much flimsier at the same time. You can't have shifter housing that compresses. It makes shifting imprecise and unpredictable. In summation, the "ultralight" cables suck. Get the originals. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lyle Takahara
a Cross Country Rider
from Pearl City, HI, USA
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Any | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$32.00 | | Purchased At: | I forget | | Strengths: | Very smooth, doesn't stretch much. | | Weaknesses: | No fluorescent colors(?)! Nah, none to this date. | | Similar Products Used: | stock cables | | Bike Setup: | Trek Y-33, XTR/XT stuff | | Bottom Line: | Don't understand the problems that other people have had with cable "failure". Neither myself nor my friends have had a single problem with the brake or shifter set. The cables have worked smoothly since the day I set them up. The inner lining and bootie (booty?) have kept the dirt and moisture out and have withstood the wear and tear that I have put them through. I recommend them even though they are more expensive than other cable systems. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
george
a Cross Country Rider
from farmington hills, mi, usa
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | jb mountain bikes | | Strengths: | when they are dialed in, they are right on. | | Weaknesses: | the cable has frayed towards the barrel end. | | Similar Products Used: | shimano & sram spec | | Bottom Line: | for the money, they should last longer than 3 months. i will give the avid flak jackets a try (only choice at LBS). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Barry
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | When they work, they work | | Weaknesses: | For $100 CDN for a lousy cable housing, I would expect these things to be durable enough to last longer than a year. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Klein Mantra Comp | | Bottom Line: | The Mantra does not have a down tube, and the gear cables run along the bottom of the top tube, with the inner cables completely exposed to mud, dust, crap etc. It seemed like a smart move to get Gore-tex cables. My LBS told me that they were the "last cables I would ever buy". Yeah, right.
A year later the rear cable frayed and seized completely. It could not be repaired and I had to pitch it. I only find I needed to replace regular cables once a year or so. The only difference being that these things cost about twenty times as much as a regular cable. I see from the other reviews that this is a pretty common complaint.
In all fairness, these things did improve my shifting. If you are independently wealthy, you might want to consider these things, but if you are like the rest of us proles, don't bother. There are a lot of other things you can do with what it costs for a set of these pieces of crap. 1 chili for the fact that they worked OK for a while
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
billy
a Racer
from CA
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | repac | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | sunshine bikes | | Strengths: | smooth | | Weaknesses: | easily broken at connection points
!PRICE!
| | Similar Products Used: | generic | | Bike Setup: | klien mantra comp, xt, xtr, lite stuff | | Bottom Line: | It came with my bike, and I noticed the smoothness imeadiately. Then i went down to the bike shop to see how much it was, $55! Are you kidding me? Anybody who spends that much on housing must be out of their minds. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fred
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Strengths: | Brand name. Worked for at least 35 miles. | | Weaknesses: | A terrible design-- for shifting, at least. Something that is simple (cables) made more complex without any consideration for functionality. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano, Avid | | Bike Setup: | S-Works XTR 9-sp | | Bottom Line: | Cables are relatively simple-- but somehow they managed to make one of the worst aftermarket mountain biking products I've ever bought. I mostly bike in dusty conditions, and within 3 rides these cables failed. I couldn't believe it. I tore my shifters apart looking for the problem.... But only when I replaced these cables were all of my woes alleviated. When you're in the middle of nowhere with Ride-on cables, and you can't shift anymore, you'll wish you had listened to me: Don't get these, period! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Mountain View CA
Date Reviewed: February 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Henry Coe | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint.com | | Strengths: | Zero Maintenance | | Weaknesses: | Pain in the toosh to install | | Similar Products Used: | Stock cables | | Bike Setup: | Stock Santa Cruz Superlight | | Bottom Line: | These things are a bit tedious to install, but there is just nothing like them once they are on the bike, as they virtually weatherproof the shifting. As well, they take an amazing amount of friction out of the shifting system - particularly noticeable with gripshifters. I've had these on for a year. It will be interesting to see how long they last. I had a set on a previous bike, and they were still working well after a year and a half. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Simpson
a Weekend Warrior
from Mt.Juliet, TN, Wilson
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Lock 4 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikers Choice | | Strengths: | Smooth, No maintence, No cable stretch | | Weaknesses: | Price | | Similar Products Used: | stock shimano, Avid flank jackets | | Bike Setup: | 2000 FSR/XC comp | | Bottom Line: | I have had No problems with these cables, they are still
as smooth as butter. I haven't touched these things sence
they were installed and the preformance is great. For those
of you who have had problems, I would have to say its an
instalation error. Find a good bike mechanic thats had some
experience with gore cables, get the cables, get him to install them and go ride. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
john
a Cross Country Rider
from Richmond, VA
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Poor Farm Park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Smooth, consistent braking and shifting | | Weaknesses: | Price, setup is very important and a little tricky | | Similar Products Used: | Delta teflon cable systems, Aztec teflon cables | | Bike Setup: | GT Ti, XT, Bomber fork, etc | | Bottom Line: | I had these cables on for over a year with no problems or adjustments ever. This included a 24 Hours of Canan race, and several local races in dry and muddy conditions. However, they were starting to get a little bit slower action (as if the friction was increasing due to junk in the cable or something) so I went to the LBS and picked up some new teflon cables and housing cuz I was cheap at the time. The NEW cables had more friction than the 1 year old gore cables. Sad, sad, sad. I learned my lesson. Gore Ride-On is the only way for me to go.
Gettin' cheap? My recommendations is to use the Gore ride-on cables on the rear brakes and the rear derailler only. Then after a year when they (might!) start acting up, you've got another set sittin in the garage! The front brake is mostly housing anyhow, so I tend not to get it gunked up that much. And front derailler doesn't need to be as perfect as the rear. Just my opinion, your mileage may vary... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
david
a Cross Country Rider
from athens, ga
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | dont't get gunked up and therefore shifting remains as smooth as when you took your bike off the showroom floor...and they don't stretch so shifter and derailler adjustments are unneccessary | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | '95 Mt. Fuji SX(True Temper OX3 steel)/all XT/Y2K Manitou SX-r/Y2K LX V brakes/Bontrager post and seat/Hutchinson Python Gold tires/Bontrager rim(back)Mavic(f)ControlTechstem
X-Ray 800 Shifters: she's provided nearly 6 years of pure joy | | Bottom Line: | I put them on the day that I got the bike(per bike shop friends suggestion)and have not had to adjust my rear or front shifters/deraillers at all for five years...well worth the investment...if I ever get another bike, I'll put them on from day one again | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Zurich, Switzerland
Date Reviewed: June 28, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Bachtel | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Colour range (when you can get them), smoooooth operation...for a while | | Weaknesses: | Expensive, impossible to maintain, when they fail...they fail in a big way...and they WILL fail, time consuming to install (but what isn't these days). | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano stuff | | Bike Setup: | Specialized FSR XC-Pro | | Bottom Line: | This product is like the little girl with the little curl. When she's good she's great but when she's bad she's a nightmare (or something like that). Most of the people here have had good experiences with these cables and I too had a good experience with them, for a while. Right-outta-the-box they are ball tearers. Super smooth with small amounts of cable stretching. However, if you ride in wet and muddy terrain (which, let's face it, we all do...though some more than others) you will gum them up after a while and they will need to be replaced. Bye bye $$$$. I have only seen 3 people use these (myself included) and each time after a while they have all failed, big time. One friend mistakenly used them for his shifting cables on his road bike and once they gummed up so bad we spent an hour on the side of the road trying to remove the outer sheath that had jamned.
I myself had problems with the teflon coating cable degrading and jamning in the sheath after about six months, and actually during a race! That made for incredibly difficult braking and the entire cable had to be ditched after the race. You cannot repair these when they start to foul up, just kiss them and a few $$$ goodbye.
Thinking I might try these again I got my LBS expert to install them. Next race (only two weeks later) and already I have noticable degradation of the teflon coating and poorer braking.
Note: The first time I installed these TO SPEC and the second time my LSB also installed TO SPEC. So you can't just blame it on installation....coincidence, I think not. I will be thinking twice about using these again.
The moral: When they work they are great, but they will fail, and when they do you had better hope someone else is riding your bike, otherwise you will be in for a loooonnggg walk home....or worse. Only profis with an unlimited budget should use these.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Colling
a Weekend Warrior
from Lancashire, UK
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Super smooth shifting/braking | | Weaknesses: | expensive | | Similar Products Used: | stock Shimano cables | | Bike Setup: | 98 Specialized FSR comp | | Bottom Line: | I first installed these cables on my old Orange Clockwork when the original Shimano ones gave up. They made a massive difference to both braking and shifting performance. That was over 2 years ago, and the cables are still shifting and braking as good as ever after countless hours of UK mud/rain !
I have now installed the cables on my FSR after the shimano ones died on me after just 4 months. The improvement is imense as far as braking goes...real snappy and firm. I have yet to install the gear cables on this bike as I can't find anywhere selling the gear cables with red outers.
Thats another good thing about them actually....you can get them in loads of cool colours to match your bike!!
Only downer is the price, at least twice the cost of regular cables. Personally, I feel this extra cost is worth it given the long life potential of these cables.
The bottom line ?......fit and forget! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Acworth, GA
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Tsali | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | no mud can enter if they're set up right. I've had them installed for about 250 miles and they're still as smooth as new - that's not bad for riding in GA red clay and deep stream crossings without lubing them once. | | Weaknesses: | MONEY, MONEY, MONEY! They may be the same price as other high end cables, but damn, 40 bucks for a pair, c'mon. You also can't use a Rollamajig, but you don't really need to. | | Similar Products Used: | Avid Flak Jackets, OE Shimano (not XTR), standard replacement cables | | Bike Setup: | 9-spd XT shifters, XTR fr. & rear der. | | Bottom Line: | This is probablly one of the best investments for your bike if you ride in muddy, dirty, or wet conditions. It also looks as though they will last a while with very little upkeep, which is great for riders who don't know very much about adjusting derailleurs (or brakes for that matter). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Val Atkinson
a Cross Country Rider
from Roseburg, Oregon
Date Reviewed: January 19, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Gooseberry Mesa, Utah | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Very smooth shifting | | Weaknesses: | Durability in muddy climates, and time comsuming installation. | | Similar Products Used: | Delta Teflon cables | | Bike Setup: | FSR Elite with XT shifters, and XTR deraillers. | | Bottom Line: | I think they work best in dry climates, they seem to last well unless mud gets on the inner wire at the cable connections. If this happens the lining will shred and they are soon toast. Am currently using Delta teflon cables with a 9 speed setup. After 4 months they are still shifting flawlessly, and cable stretch has been nil. I think that anyone who spends over a grand on a bike and uses stock cables are nuts. If cost is an issue, buy a pair and just use them on the rear derailler. Front deraillers have much less housing anyway, and are not as finicky. For my money the Deltas are better unless you don't ride in mud. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from Berkeley, CA
Date Reviewed: December 29, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
super-smooth and predictable, no-maintenance | | Weaknesses: |
price | | Similar Products Used: |
standard Big S cables | | Bike Setup: |
Airborne Luckty Strike, mostly-LX '99 components | | Bottom Line: | This is a completely fire-and-forget-it system. Once installed, there's no further maintenance required, ever. I've not had any trouble with cable bunching or any of that. I did decide to trime the yellow goober thing on the backside of the rear derailleur, only because I have over-shortened my chain and the thing was bunching up more than it should. But that's just because I was stupid, not because the system is bad.
Also, my cables were an optional upgrade on the Airborne website, so they were installed by someone who does this stuff all the time. As a result, they were installed perfectly, which helps out a lot. I never could have done it myself. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Racer
from Knoxville, TN
Date Reviewed: December 14, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Smooth shifting
Durable | | Weaknesses: |
A little hard to install | | Similar Products Used: |
Standard Wire Cables | | Bike Setup: |
Merlin, XTR, Raceface, Syncros... | | Bottom Line: | A great product, have used it on several bikes and through every type of weather conditions. Those of you having problems with it bunching up near the shifter... READ THE DIRECTIONS. They say to cut off some of the ptfe coating so that it doesnt bunch up. It takes some time to set them up but its worth every penny. I have had mine for 2 years and they still function like new. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
geordie
a Weekend Warrior
from verona, nj
Date Reviewed: September 23, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
sooooo smoooth when new | | Weaknesses: |
housing cracks
teflon cable coating bunches up | | Bike Setup: |
ventan fs, attack shifters, rr xtr rear, xtr frt | | Bottom Line: | When these are properly set up, in my case this took about an hour for the front and rear, they are slick. I dumped the pulley on the rr derailleur to allow the cable to run fully protected its entire length, used the grub worm and added a crumpet spring to ensure that I can always shift even as the cable deteriorates. The drawback with this product is the less than lame teflon coating on the cable itself. Eventually it will bunch up either near the shifter or the derailleur and affect performance. I have definitely been very lucky with the current cable, it is almost 5 months old and still running great but the clock is ticking because the longest any others have lasted is about 6 - 7 months. I did read that a Delta cable will fit inside the yellow housing so this might be the next step when the inevitable happens. Great idea and almost a perfect product................ | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
K.C.
a Cross-Country Rider
from the Deep South
Date Reviewed: June 15, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Smooth
Good Seals | | Weaknesses: |
Price
Unknown Lifespan | | Similar Products Used: |
Shimano cables
Avid Flak Jackets | | Bike Setup: |
Litespeed Hiwassee HT, Judy XC | | Bottom Line: | I bought Gore cables because I was unhappy with the Avid Flak Jackets on my wife's bike. Over time the Avid's gummed up and now are worse than conventional cables. I only have two extremely muddy rides on the Gores. Only time will tell. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Patrick Wullaert
a Cross-Country Rider
from De Klinge, Belgium
Date Reviewed: May 6, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
La Roche, Belgium | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Maintenance-free, function | | Weaknesses: |
Price | | Similar Products Used: |
Ordinary gear cables | | Bike Setup: |
Kona King Kikapu w/ Magura brakes | | Bottom Line: | The Goretex cables improved my shifting a lot ! Less maintenance and improved function, what more can you want ? OK, I admit they're expensive but, hey, I rather have them than not. :)
Expected life time is at least three or four times that of ordinary cables. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Rahbany
a Weekend Warrior
from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: April 26, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Porcupine Rim (this week) | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Bottom Line: | Very smooth shifting; nice ferruls to keep 'em clean; simple. No complaints except for cost. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Bays
a Cross-Country Rider
from Bonneau, SC
Date Reviewed: April 11, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Tsali, Thompson loop | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Perfect shifting and ease of braking | | Weaknesses: |
Take a little time to install, costly | | Similar Products Used: |
None come close | | Bike Setup: |
Cannondale SuperV | | Bottom Line: | In my opinion, this is the number one upgrade you can make to your bike. I've put them through the mud and dust and never had to touch anything for adjustment (except brake pad wear). I know their EXPENSIVE, but after 18 months, I can tell you they're worth every penny. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gilad Regev
a Cross-Country Rider
from ISRAEL
Date Reviewed: April 10, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Smooth shifting | | Weaknesses: |
Durability (fragile) | | Bike Setup: |
Heckler | | Bottom Line: | Had them for six month and they work great the only problem is that the rear brake cable broke at his attachment to the brake so i have to replace it. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J Hensley
a Cross-Country Rider
from Long Beach., Ca.
Date Reviewed: April 7, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Any that isn't a scene | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
NO maintenance | | Weaknesses: |
None | | Bike Setup: |
Speialized M2 | | Bottom Line: | I don't know what all the nay-sayers are complaining about, I've got nothing but kudos for this product. Perhaps they should let somebody who knows what they are doing install them properly. A)They have NOT deteriorated B)The outer sheath has not cracked C)Keep that pressure washer away from your bike. I have been running these cables on 2 different bikes for 3 years now with no maintenance OR adjustments with only one ocassion where there was a problem. One of the cables were impact-damaged against the down tube by a rock, causing a leak in the sheath. I wrote Gore to buy one replacement cable, since it been almost 2 years since I had installed them. Guess what? They sent me a complete new set, free of charge. They will always have my business for their no-hassle customer service and a great product. 5-plus chilis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a racer
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: March 8, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
A lot of people have noted that the Ride-On cables wear prematurely, or do not retain their shifting performance for long in muddy conditions. I just wanted to balance this criticism with my own experience with this product. I split the cost with a friend, each of us using it to wire up Shimano rear derailers to rapidfire shifters. Since then the cable has seen me through three years of high-mileage riding, outlasting one derailer, six chains, two cassettes, five sets of brake pads, and one frame (I was able, with care, to transfer the cable and housing to the new frame). It still shifts perfectly. I also haven't had the problem with cracked housing that many others seem to have experienced. Ride On. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DARRYL
a cross-country rider
from SAN MATEO
Date Reviewed: February 16, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
THESE CABLES WORK GREAT AT THE BEGINING BUT ONCE THEY GET CONTAMINATED THEY SUCK DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY.STICK TO THE TEFLON COATED CABLES THEY ARE CHEAPER IN THE LONG RUN.DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ IN THE MAGIZINES | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
whomever
a cross-country rider
from Small Town,USA
Date Reviewed: February 15, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I ride each weekend regardless what's the weather's like. I'm very pleased with the responsiveness of the shifter and brake however it does wear out (like all other cables tho). With one year warranty, I've got a replacement at no cost to me. I'm pleased as a punch. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe Partridge
a cross-country rider
from Grand Rapids, MI
Date Reviewed: October 5, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I purchased these cable over a year ago and had them installed at my LBS. I was looking for problem-free shifting. I replaced the stock STX-RC front and rear der.'s and shifters with XT all around and these cables.Guess what? It worked like a charm. I was a little worried about durability, but decided to risk it as I was getting a pretty good deal. They still work as welll as the day I first put them on. I don't ride alot in the wet and mud, but I do ride in these conditions from time to time. Although I clean and lube the chain after every ride, I have never performed any kind of maintenance on the cables.I have been very pleased with this product and can strongly recommend it to others. 5 chilies. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mango
a cross-country rider
from Amherst,MA
Date Reviewed: August 16, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I'm very disappointed with the performance of these Cables. I purchased them thinking that they would be much better and out last normal cables.
They do neither. They become very fragile where they are bolted on to the derailleur. A strand of the cable then becomes loose and end up getting jammed up in the plastic sheath. Also the covering on the cable bunches up into tufts that increase the friction. These Gore cables lasted only 4 months. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Leslie Gortex
a cross-country rider
from Hawaii
Date Reviewed: August 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
LBS installed these cables to promote how well they performed in wet condi-
tions. The first month of use I did notice a smoother shifting and braking
response without the maintainance of lubing, however if you have to adjust
the cable slack you will find how fragile they are after being compressed at
the cable junctions.
Here's another product not worth the money for long term use unless you're a
pro racer that has their cables replaced after every race. This product
is best served for weather-proofing clothing.
Teflon coated cables are less expensive even if you replace them every two
months no big deal. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a weekend warrior
from Bloomington, IN
Date Reviewed: August 7, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I purhchase a set of shifter cables a year ago for my bike. The cables work well until the coating around the inner cables starts to wear off after about 2 to 3 months of off road riding. For $40 a set, these cables are not worth the investment given their durability. I'm back to using standard cables and housing and have no problems provided I keep the system well lubricated. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Schwinnman
a
from New York
Date Reviewed: June 8, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These cables rock when their brand new, but require alittle more setup time. Give them a good two months of riding and the teflon coating is shot though and the cable itself seems to oxidate more so than others. This cable ain't worth the bucks, I paid $30 last year and this year their up $10 in price. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jack
a weekend warrior
from Miami, FL
Date Reviewed: June 8, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Just got the new cables put on a month ago on my Fisher (Joshua). These have performed great so far. Even a trip through the mud and muck of the everglades can't stop me now where before it greatly hindered my shifting. Didn't really see the need for the brake line so shifters were all I got. Can't say enough about them, they were $39.99 at the LBS and so far every penny worth it. I am going with five chilies because 6 is not available!!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luc Hamel
a racer
from Ayer's Cliff, Quebec, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 29, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Gore-tex are great ... when new and clean. As soon as you ride in mud somehow muck will get in and they die fast. Real fast. It sucks since they cost so much.Here's a little trick, when the Gore-Tex layer goes, ditch the cable and replace it with a cheaper Delta. KEEP YOUR YELLOW HOUSING ! the Teflon cable slides really well, and is somewhat protected by the yellow tube.The Delta cable is tougher that the super fragile Gore.Also if you buy a set of Gore brake cable, buy also a pair of Deltas, split the pair, and the cost with a friend, and install the Gore cable in the back, keep the extra housing and slide a Delta/Gore combo up front.Unless you are real tall, there's usually enough housing to do that for two bikes.It's worth a try and saves dough.Oh yes; rating. I'll give a 3. They are way too fragile for the cost. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a racer
from Canada
Date Reviewed: March 7, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I got the cables from a friend who said they didn't shift right.
I put those cables on and they worked the very best. The shifting on my
bike has never been better i have even considered bying a set for my brakes>
So far i have had the cables for a summer and they still work perfect.
My only complaint is the price! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pikabike
a cross-country rider
from CO
Date Reviewed: January 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I'm using the same set of Gore cables - both brakes and shifters - that I got in 1994. They still work flawlessly.I probably will have to replace them soon, because there's an exposed section (housing cracked), but hey, they're 4 years old. I've heard they're tricky to install but have also heard it's not that bad. Guess I'll find out this year - I usually do my own cables but the 1994 set I had a shop put on because of fear about ruining $80 of cables. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Niklas Ingvar-Nilsson
a weekend warrior
from Uppsala, Sweden
Date Reviewed: January 8, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The cables are supperior-when new! 5 chillies for funktion when newUnfortunatly the durability sucks, at least off road. Its the Gore-membran that breaks down and funktion sucks. 0 chillie after a while And they are very expensive, 2-3 times more expensive than good Shimano cables. 1 chilie for the price.That gives overall 2 chillies. It could be a good idea for road touring but stick to conventionell cables and some lubrication for off road riding. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin Hall
a cross-country rider
from Tempe, AZ
Date Reviewed: December 27, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I purchased the Gore RideOn brake cables about 4 months ago from a friend.
The rear housing snapped faster than any Shimano housing I have ever had!
After about 4 months, the cable action was so slow!!! I took the front cable off because it wouldn't even move. The coating on the cable was shredded.
A reputable bike dealer did install them. Simply put, Shimano works better,
and they're cheaper! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Toby Whitley
a
from England
Date Reviewed: December 1, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
+ Excellent perfomance over my other cables and as the back brake and gear cables hang under my frame in such a way as to pick up water mud etc a good thing to have so I don't spend my life faffing with cabling.
_ Price, I just wanted a back brake and rear gear cable but had to bye a brake set and gear set, well at least I have spares.Durability, can't really comment yet. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian Bond
a cross-country rider
from Blacksburg, VA
Date Reviewed: November 3, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I've gone through 3 sets of Gore-tex cables in the past couple of years and have this to say: Overall they rule! They perform without equal in muddy conditions and improve shifting performance drastically on any bike. However,they do NOT last for a year. Mud eventually gets into the inner housing at the rear derailer, or the outter cable housing becomes brittle and cracks. Gore-tex IS very good about warrantying thier product. There is a new sleeve to help keep mud out of the rear derailer housing, we'll see how it works. Overall: great product, but it would be nice to have better durability and a lower price. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Max
a cross-country rider
from Maryland
Date Reviewed: September 6, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
fly, makes shifting a breeze. plus, the yellow looks trick on my navy blue/yellow bike. No frequent cleaning or cable swapping. only draw back is high price.. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Anand
a cross-country rider
from Oxford,England
Date Reviewed: August 14, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Gore-tex cables are great. They make shifting perfect. You really know how good they are when you have to go back to cheap ass cables. Whats better is that if you are not satisfied with the product you can call Gore-tex and they will take care of you. Great stuff. | | Overall Rating: |
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