Dura ace 9000 cable life?

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fromtrektocolnago
Posts: 1145
Joined: Sat Dec 07, 2013 10:15 pm

by fromtrektocolnago

I had my R.D. cable snap on my 6800 shifter snap at just under 4,000 miles. While I like the feel of 6800 this did surprise me. I've been riding 6500 for over a decade and never had this happen. I plan to change them again before another 4,000 miles but will look into Jagwire
Colnago C-59 (Dura Ace)
Firefly(Ultegra)
Colnago C-64 disc(ultegra) with Bora 35 wheels

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WheresWaldo
in the industry
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Joined: Fri Oct 13, 2006 12:52 am
Location: North Carolina

by WheresWaldo

Velosteve, the reason Shimano shifters are so hard on cables is because of the severe wind up that occurs within the shifter body, a smoother cable should not affect its useful lifespan. That said, it might make shifting feel smoother for a longer part of the cables life.

What I have found in my many cycling acquaintances, is that they treat cabling like they do their handlebar tape. It doesn't merit their attention until there is a problem. I change my bar tape at a minimum every season. I hate pulling off tape from someone elses bike that is smelly and bars corroded because of neglect. At the same time I change inner cables. A cable housing will get replaced when there is drag on the cable, or every other season, whichever comes first. The only exceptions are the rear loop of housing, which is every season and bikes I hardly ever ride.

hilts
Posts: 27
Joined: Fri May 11, 2012 2:14 pm
Location: Norway

by hilts

I get 4-5k km from my cables with 6800 shifters before they fail me. Meaning I have to change it after 3-4 months. Starting to get annoying.

dunbar42
Posts: 191
Joined: Tue Jan 07, 2014 9:20 am

by dunbar42

hilts wrote:I get 4-5k km from my cables with 6800 shifters before they fail me. Meaning I have to change it after 3-4 months. Starting to get annoying.


Both cables? My FD polymer cable looked brand new after 4500 miles while the FD cable was badly frayed. Even on my ICR bike I can change the RD cable and housing and adjust the RD in about 45 minutes.

dynaserve
Posts: 269
Joined: Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:25 pm
Location: UK

by dynaserve

I got 9 months and around 6,000km before the rear cable broke on the 9000 shifter - Sheared at around 1" long.

Shimano DO experiment with Dura Ace products (7900 shifters, which originally would not shift to first by two gears at once, 9000 cassette exploding). Ultegra/105 works out better than first gen DA as a result. Sram get bad press, but Shimano are as bad.

Yes the DA 9000 brakes are superb, the front shifting is ace, but I'm now fitting Force 22 and trying that.

dynaserve
Posts: 269
Joined: Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:25 pm
Location: UK

by dynaserve

Also - I can't ever remember having a cable snap before...

hilts
Posts: 27
Joined: Fri May 11, 2012 2:14 pm
Location: Norway

by hilts

dunbar42 wrote:Both cables?

Only the rear one. The front didn't fray, but I changed it before the racing season started, just to be safe.
Going to test jagwire or something similar before next season. Unless I throw money in some direction to get Di2, ofcourse.

drbellows
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Dec 22, 2014 3:34 pm

by drbellows

DA9001 shifters didn't solve the problem. After 2 snapped cables, Shimano replaced my DA9000 rear shifter with a DA9001. 1500 miles later, guess what happened. Now they are only offering to replace the inner cable under warranty. Shimano also said by phone that they recommend changing the Dura Ace cables and chain every 2500 miles. They said these are precision components that require a high level of maintenance to maintain precision function. That recommendation can't be found on their web site, nor can any mention of the 9001 series shifter. I guess it's a secret. They've passed the onus onto their customers and, I suppose, they hope the number of snapped cables will go down once cyclists start switching them out more often. Problem is, the driver is shift frequency, not mileage. I suppose if you ride your magnificent DA equipped bike as a single speed your rear shift cable will never break. Corporate malfeasance at its worst.

oreoboreo
Posts: 510
Joined: Tue Aug 09, 2011 2:25 pm
Location: Aloha, Oregon/ Poipu, Kauai Hawaii

by oreoboreo

Campy may get a hard look. Now I have to change my cables at the same rate I change oil in my car??? Per the schedule my Shimano.... BS.
Let's finish the ride with a 20% grade.

2011 Scott Addict R1 DA 7900 Matt black
2012 Scott CR1 Pro Ultegra 6700
2015 Specialized SWorks Tarmac Da 9000
2016 Specialized SWorks Tarmac DA 9100

mnmasotto
Posts: 581
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2011 7:16 pm
Location: Irvine, CA

by mnmasotto

I have more than 2500 miles on my 9000 system and stock cables. I have not had any problems thus far. Cables sill look good. JYI

Bigger Gear
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Joined: Fri Mar 27, 2009 6:58 pm
Location: Wet coast, Canada

by Bigger Gear

I don't think Campy shifters and cables are immune either. I've not been on any of the 11 spd Campy stuff but I used Campy Record 10 shifters for about 7 years (at least 3 different pair). Eventually the cables will fray in the shifter with Campy too. The nice thing was that the broken strands would actually poke out the little slit on the bottom of the brake hood and one would get poked by them and know it was definitely time to change the inner cable :)

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FIJIGabe
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Joined: Tue Sep 11, 2012 6:07 pm
Location: The Lone Star State

by FIJIGabe

Just wanted to share this. I just pulled the Yokozuna cables off my ST-9000 shifters. Here's what they looked like after 4,128 miles (6,643 km):

RD - 2 frayed cables, the rest of the wire is complete.

Image

FD - completely intact. No fraying, no visible damage.

Image


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beeatnik
Posts: 368
Joined: Fri Jan 25, 2013 7:26 pm

by beeatnik

mnmasotto wrote:I have more than 2500 miles on my 9000 system and stock cables. I have not had any problems thus far. Cables sill look good. JYI



Irvine is pretty flat.

fromtrektocolnago
Posts: 1145
Joined: Sat Dec 07, 2013 10:15 pm

by fromtrektocolnago

MY 6800 cables went at just under 4,000 miles. I hope its a one time event but if that's the life span, I view that as unacceptable. My 6500 Cables on my 2001 Trek were finally replaced this year, not for fraying but because they had stretched. While the performance of my 6800 has been great, the cable issue is a source of concern. As a customer and shareholder I hope Shimano figures this one out.
Colnago C-59 (Dura Ace)
Firefly(Ultegra)
Colnago C-64 disc(ultegra) with Bora 35 wheels

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

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spud
Posts: 1261
Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2009 5:52 am

by spud

until Shimano gets a hold on this design problem, an intrepid mechanic might put an ohm meter on the rear derailleur cable, and replace it when the resistance jumps by 5%, indicating that one of the strands has broken (assuming approx 20 strands per cable).

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