Jagwire Vs. Shimano Cables – Which One Is Better For Your Bike?

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There are various choices when choosing the cables that control the gear shifting on your bikes. Different brands come up with additional features in their models, making choosing one harder.

While some brands offer electrically coated layers for better efficiency, others offer pre-lubricated inner liners to reduce friction. You also need to ensure that the quality of the product is good. Otherwise, the cables will wear out fast.

In the bicycling industry, the two big names are Jagwire and Shimano. Both offer incredibly high-quality cables, so choosing between the two is tricky. How do you know which one is the better choice? Is one brand better than the other, or do they have the same quality?

Lucky for you, we are here to help! We have decided to end the Jagwire Vs. Shimano debate for good.

A Brief Intro about Both Brands

When it comes to making high-end bike accessories, few can match up to Jagwire. This is a globally renowned brand that houses cables for all bike models. Moreover, the company has a history of two decades, serving globally leading bike brands.

On the other hand, Shimano, the Japanese multinational manufacturer, has made a name in making cycling components. Their high-end products have many loyal followings, and their bicycle gearing systems are equally popular worldwide.

How to Choose the Best Cable?

Now there are various types of cables in a bike. There is a lot to consider, from standard shifter cables or derailleur cables to brake cables. When choosing the right cable replacements for your bike, you need to keep some standard features in mind, though.

They are as follows:

Cable thickness
Inner lining
Type of bike you use
Corrosion
Breakage
Anti-contamination caps/ferrules
Size and shape of the end barrel
Elasticity

You may have to look around a bit when choosing between two globally leading brands. With both brands making various products, it might take some time to figure out which one suits your needs.

So, to make things convenient for you, here is a review of a few products from the two best brands in bicycle cable manufacturing.

Jagwire Cables

Jagwire cables offer unmatched durability and performance most suited for demanding riders. Jagwire cables can ensure a smoother yet firmer braking feel, whether you have a road bike or a mountain bike.

The brand offers a huge selection of slick and polished stainless steel cables that guarantee less friction and high corrosion resistance.

The materials are stretchable and will not break under tension.

Moreover, they are highly cost-effective.

Jagwire – Universal Sport DIY Bike Cable Kit

Slick stainless cable combined with Slick-Lube inner liners offers high durability
The brake cables are double-ended for compatibility with both road bikes and mountain bikes
OEM-standard cables that come with high-quality small components

Jagwire – Sport Sealed DIY Shift Cable Kit

Slick stainless inner offers higher resistance against corrosion and friction
Compressionless LEX-SL housing offers better protection
The single-ended weld-cut design makes it easy to install

Jagwire – Mountain Pro Brake DIY Cable Kit

The highly polished slick cables are Kevlar reinforced for unbreakable performance
The Slick-Lube inner liners further increase its durability
Perfect for mountain bikes and delivers a smooth and powerful braking
The compressionless housing makes it 30% lighter
The Woven Kevlar layer adds more flexibility

Jagwire – Road Pro Brake DIY Cable Kit

Durable and lightweight cable construction makes it perfect for road bikes
Completely compatible with all high-end road bike models
The sheath is reinforced with Kevlar for durability, but that makes it incompressible
Slick-Lube liner improves the brakes

Jagwire – Universal Pro Shift Kit

Features a well-lubricated LEX-SL linear strand that delivers consistent performance
Easy to install
It comes with Slick-Lube inner liners for better shifting precision

Shimano Cables

Shimano offers the easiest upgrades and replacements with their original quality products. The cables are easy to install and highly affordable. Moreover, you can trust the brand to enhance the performance of your bike.

Shimano has a list of premium cables lined up for you to choose from. There are plenty of choices, from high-end polymer-coated cables to stainless steel cables.

Their cables with OPTISLICK coating are especially durable and most suited for your road bike. This is a uniform electrically coated layer consistent through the cable for excellent corrosion resistance and routing efficiency.

Shimano Universal Standard Brake Cable Set

Compatible with both road bikes and mountain bikes
It has a stainless steel inner wire for higher durability
Low-compression lined housing
It comes with a slick polymer shield allowing smooth movement

Shimano OT-SP41 OPTISLICK Shifting Cable Set

It comes with Shimano OPTISLICK coating for making smoother shifts
Stainless steel cables most suited for road bikes
Highly corrosion-resistant and lasts long
Special silicone grease allows lighter shifting actuation

Shimano Shift Inner Cable

Comes with Zinc-coating
Derailleur shift cable that can sustain high tension without splitting
The stainless steel inner wires increase longevity
Slick polymer shield allows smooth cable movement

Jagwire Vs. Shimano: Which One is Better?

Now, both brands offer various highly durable cables and come with different coatings. All the products deliver smoother shifting and braking. However, there are some minor differences.

Jagwire	Shimano
Has Slick-Lube liners or LEX-linear steel strands with no lube	Usually offers cables with their unique OPTISLICK liner for smoother operation
Some products can be Kevlar reinforced to prevent buckling	It does not include Kevlar in general, so it might be less durable comparatively
Compressionless housing	Low-compression housing
Cables are less flexible	Cables are more flexible
Includes all parts and components in their kit	You may need to purchase some components separately

Overall, both brands have a good selection of products. So, depending on your requirement, you can make the call. As for quality, both brands are equally good.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are all bike cables the same?

No, they are not. However, you can use the MTB/Road brake cables interchangeably. You can use them for your caliper brakes, primarily seen in road bikes.

The shifter or derailleur cables have two standards based on thickness. However, at a glance, they may seem identical.

2. How often should you change the gear cables on your bike?

You should change the cables after covering 2000 to 3000 miles. Despite being highly durable, cables do come with an expiry date. So, changing them is crucial to maintain your bike’s functionality and prevent sudden wear and tear.