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Submitted by
jwehmeyer
a Cross Country Rider
from Northern VA
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2008 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 Rev |
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