"Aero" cable routing for bar end shifters

[Minh]

This is a question to the folks that have routed the cable housing for their bar end shifters 'aero' style where it runs up the length of the bars and exits the tape at the stem.  I did this recently and it feels like there is a lot more friction, i was expecting some, but it's a lot more difficult to move the shifter, is this normal?  Or is there a trick to how to route the housing?  I've tried to get the bend around the drops as wide as possible, but it's still a pretty tight curve (i'm using noodles), 

I love how clean the routing is this way--and the fact that it makes front bag mouting a lot easier, but the feeling at the shifter is concerning, thanks for any tips!  

[Michael]

I routed mine under the drop, up the inside of the hook, and under/bottom half of the curve and tops.

Seems to work fine, but I cannot compare to the regular way, as this is the only way o have used it.

Seeme to be fine. I cannot feel friction. The levers work smoothly.

You can see it here if you zoom in a little.

[Michael]

When I bought the cables and housing for the set up, the LBS guy said if there was too much friction with the regular housings, then I could get and use this ultra frictionless housing and cables they sold. I forget the name. But you could probably ask for it at your LBS. It was about double the price. The cables looked like plastic if I remember correctly.

 

I just kept the regular housing and cables since they seem to do fine for me.

 

Also, I don't use the plastic housing cover that gets mounted at the base of the bar end pod on the bottom of drops. I just run the housing from the bar end and then tape the bars.

[Liesl]

I am really sorry for that garbage code.  'Twas supposed to be two images.

[dougP]

My wife's Atlantis came with shift cables routed that way & works as easily as the shifting on my bike (cables only under the tape to the brake levers).  I always use Teflon coated cables (Aztec maybe?).  Both bikes have the regular Shimano housing but there may be something even more slippery out there. 

dougP

[Phil Bickford]

I can't remember being entirely satisfied with that setup myself. Two
things you could try:

-cross the front and rear cables before the downtube cable stops to
eliminate that last tight bend coming off the bars.
-use campy cables - they are slightly skinnier than standard shimano
width.

neither of which is going to be magical. Your asking for an un-natural
act, after all.

Phil B

On Feb 10, 6:30 am, Minh <mgiangs...@gmail.com> wrote:
> This is a question to the folks that have routed the cable housing for
> their bar end shifters 'aero' style where it runs up the length of the bars

[Minh]

I appreciate all the input, i might be imagining things as my other bike (which is down-tube friction) is similiar feeling on the down-shift (a little easier though). i'm testing on the workstand so it might be less noticeable once i take it out on the street.

The only possible thing that might help is that i used the old spiral wrap housing (hey, i use friction shifters and didn't have the SIS shifter housing long enough), SIS housing seems a little more pliable to bend, so i might try some other housing....

[Michael]

Mine is the longitudinal housing, where the wires run straight along the length of the housing.

 

I was told spiraling housing is for brakes. 

[Ryan Ray]

I used a little extra lube and didn't really notice any shifting issues. I did need an extra long cable however and didn't even need to trim it!

- Ryan

On Sunday, February 10, 2013 6:30:13 AM UTC-8, Minh wrote:

[Minh]

I had to look this up from Sheldon, but prior to indexed shifting there was only spiral housing, and i'm only running friction.

But sis housing is a little more pliable so I could see some benefit.

[Michael]

I ran a bead of tri-flow lube on the cables before installing, too.

 

[pb]

Works transparently for me, using lined housing and teflon-coated cables.  I also used a couple drops of Tri-Flow.  I like smooth cables.  Lasts a couple of years before it starts to grab a bit, and then I overhaul.

pb 

On Sunday, February 10, 2013 6:30:13 AM UTC-8, Minh wrote: