Jagwire Racer Brake and Gear Cable Kit

Supplied as a complete brake and gear system and weighing a claimed thirty per cent less than your regular models, the Jagwire Racer road cable kit is not only the perfect complement to road, cross, tourer or indeed winter hack but designed with nominal maintenance in mind, under normal conditions should only require annual, as opposed to seasonal replacement. Gentler to paintwork than the builder’s hose sealed types, the Kevlar outers can still chomp through frame lacquer so the rubberised cable protectors are an absolute must-especially for older thin walled steel frames.

Bendy-straw concertina ends, flexible Kevlar outers coupled with Teflon inserts make for ultra smooth, friction-free braking and shifting, compensating greatly for torturous/unusual cable runs. Generous though the standard measures are there might not be enough cable in the pack for tandems, recumbents and other specialist builds. Double ended inner wires are what you’d expect but seem intolerant of anything less than razor sharp cutters. That aside, clever design means they’re a delight to install and dial in.

I've already got a set paired to my Holdsworth’s reverse action TT levers and pursuit bars – they’ve been silky smooth and required zero attention. With this in mind, our latest set were fitted to the Univega coinciding with a change of handlebar wrap. Much loved and well-cared for, said beast lives a four-season’s lifestyle and on the strength of the recent bad weather, with a periodic squirt of Teflon lube the Racer cables seem every bit as reliable as the fit and forgets cables they replaced while gear shifts seem just that fraction friskier.

Along with a pad upgrade they’ve transformed brake modulation and feel of the Univega's budget but beautiful Dia Compe cantilevers no end. Compression less gear cables have done much the same for what is usually a generally harmonious, if occasionally tetchy eight-speed drivetrain.

Verdict

Very reliable, affordable and durable cableset for road bikes that work a treat - will fit most road bikes with the probable exception of tandems and recumbents