Smooooth brake cables

[12dan34]

I need to replace my Shimano brake cables, rim brakes. The front isn't too bad but the rear has been getting more and more stiff to pull over the months. Looking on wiggle they have shimano ptfe or sst, guessing ptfe will be the smoothest but can anyone offer any more on this please?

[Jimbo.]

I was unaware of PTFE-coated brake cables. However, if they’re anything like the PTFE-coated bear cables, I wouldn’t worry too much. The PTFE lining/coating frays and bunches up if not cut/installed perfectly, and IME the difference for gears (with their tiny amount of leverage and travel) tiny. I can imagine brakes, with their ruddy great levers and (relative) miles of travel, would be even less.

Of more importance would be making your calipers are clean and operate smoothly, and that whatever cables do go in are well maintained.

[Paul Drawmer]

Especially under the bottom bracket!