Originally Posted by
prj71
2016 Hardtail (Shimano) still has original cable and housing. Shifts perfect.
2018 Fat Bike (SRAM) still has original cable and housing. Shifts perfect.
2019 Hybrid Bike (SRAM) still has original cable and housing. Shifts perfect.
2021 Fat Bike (SRAM) still has original cable and housing. Shifts perfect.
2020 Road Bike (Shimano) still has original cable and housing. Shifts perfect.
2021 Road Bike (Shimano) still has original cable and housing. Shifts perfect.
2020 Full Suspension (SRAM) Mountain bike still has original cable and housing. Shifts perfect.
Last night I went out and checked the cables on the brifters of both road bikes (Shimano 105) and no signs of the cables fraying.
To be fair, age of the bikes mean nothing unless the bike is stored exposed to the elements. As
KerryIrons says, how long is a piece of string? Mileage on each of these bikes would be a better indicator of what kind of maintenance needs to be done.
Originally Posted by
prj71
I'm starting to think that as a bike mechanic (either in business for yourself or working for someone) that you tell people annual replacement in order to make more $$$ for yourself or the shop you work at.
Conspiracy theory noted.
cxwrench mostly sees bikes that rack up thousands of miles in a year. If you have bikes that only log 500 miles in a year, then every year would be excessive. If 2000 miles or more, cables once a year would be prudent. 5000 miles a year or more and you should probably replace housings as well as inspect under bar tape for handlebar corrosion. You don't want this to happen to you:
