Made here in the UK, the comprehensive kit includes 2.7 metres of frictionless 5.5mm outer casing, clear inner sleeve and two stainless steel inner wires measuring a generous 1.8 and 2.1 metres long. Fibrax also offer a version for tandems and bikes with unusual cable routings.
To finish things off, we've twelve ferrules, two cable end caps and four rubberised cuffs to protect paintwork from unsightly cable-rub. Good preparation is key to getting the best from these systems, so get some proper cable cutters. I was able to use the bike's existing outers as a template but it's worth double checking the new cables against the frame with ferules in situ. Mark cut points using a Stanley knife and cut swiftly – it's hard work.
Remove the ferrules and slip the outers and inner linings through. The inner lining should extend beyond the rear mech by 5mm but in practice this proved tricky. I left everything in situ overnight before trimming and soldering the cable ends.
To be fair, cable stretch was non-existent; both mechs impeccably behaved come the morning and haven't missed a beat over the last few weeks and two hundred plus miles. The Univega's cables, chains and cassettes see the worst weathers. Blasted with torrential rains, mud, silt, and spray on coastal roads, shifting has remained consistently precise.
Even the outers seem relatively kind to paintwork, although the grinding paste of sticky debris was beginning to gnaw through my tourer's lacquer topcoat, prompting swift introduction of those little rubber cuffs.
Dependable all-weather gear cables but don't cut corners when fitting them.
road.cc test report
Make and model: Fibrax Pro-formance Sealed Derailleur Cable Kit
Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
"A sealed derailleur kit for maintenance-free super smooth shifting, with enough content to fit out a bike front and rear".
No quibble here but in common with the breed, installation demands good quality tools and patience.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
2 slick 1.1mm stainless steel gear inner wires – 2.1m and 1.8m
1 length of SP5 outer casing – 2.7m
2 clear inner tubes – 2.05m and 1.75m
12 ferrules
4 Fibrax frame protectors
2 wire end covers
Rate the product for quality of construction:
8/10
Rate the product for performance:
8/10
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
7/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
6/10
Time consuming to install and might be worth leaving to a shop if you're short of time or decent tools.
Rate the product for value:
7/10
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Carefully installed, this is genuinely slick, fit and forget cable that should last a good year or so without so much as a lick of lube.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Perfect for mile munching tourists, mountain bikers and anyone else needing hassle and moreover, maintenance free derailleur cables.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Ultra tough materials require razor sharp tooling and very strong grip.
Did you enjoy using the product? Fitting aside, yes.
Would you consider buying the product? Quite possibly.
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes, assuming they needed a fit n' forget system.
Age: 38 Height: 1m 81 Weight: 70 kilos
I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,
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