in general :
derailleur cable :
thinner. more agile.
head : smaller (to go in shifter). upright barrel shape. sometimes mushroom (shimano).
there's 3 main head types :
generic type (small barrel shape) . should fit all types ?
shimano : mushroom shape.
campagnolo : dunno ? niche ?
brake cable :
thicker. tougher (for safety !)
head : bigger. side barrel
my knowledge : 4/10
Decathlon cutters for bike cable and housing seem to do a clean cut on everything (so far) imho.
Here I use on bike brake cable, the harder of the 2 bike cables, and more prone to instant fraying.
filmed July 22.
Are good cutters for bike cable and housing worth it ? (i.e. maybe £15-20)
YES.
You can cut any bike cable or housing in a second, whereas cheap poor quality ones you might not cut them and/or make a frayed mess ! This likely includes decent 'home cutters' for DIY things (i.e. bolt cutters).
What's to cut ?
derailleur cable : easiest to cut, but you can still fail, or fray the ends (which could = nightmare).
brake cable : harder cos it's thicker and different twist (for safety reasons !).
derailleur housing : easier of the 2 housing. probably 2nd hardest to cut. it has metal wire twine through it for sturdiness.
brake housing : Toughest. This is thickest housing and has metal wire through it (probably safety again).
Good cutters are worth it. Maybe £10 (if lucky ?) - £20 ?
Here I use Decathlon cutters (£14.99 Jun22). Super. Even gives a clean cut edge (no burring needed probably, or fraying).
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/bike-cable-and-housing-cutting-pliers//R-p-120528
I would trust Halfords best cutters too.
It's worth the cost for good cutters as it will take a second rather than days or giving up or having to start again with new cable etc.
What will good cutters look like ? (dunno really)
A guess :
Heavy at the cutting end.
Large clamp action (i.e. cut edges widen to grip cable in clamping style), rather than traditional cutter V-cut.
Things that go wrong using poor cutters
1. can't cut cable easily (i.e. minutes/hours/days). end up damaging or frayed etc. may need to use another cable (more money).
2. frayed cable may unwind and end up making cable too short. need to replace again.
3. can't cut brake housing. give up.
4. can't put cable through housing as cut is a mess.
etc etc
get good cutters like £15-£20 !!
video from Archer Components youtube channel
clueless cyclist writes (jun22) : when will wireless shifting and braking be the norm ??
imho wireless shifting and braking should have been here like 10 years ago (same as Ecars).
no sign of wireless brakes yet.
Shimano and SRAM have recently introduced E derailleurs (rear only ?) and shifting for $1000+.
Their motor is built into their special derailleur.
So for poor Joe Public is there a (sensible price) alternative ?
No sign of anything for $50 on ebay via China (2022).
Archer DX1
https://archercomponents.com/products/d1x-trail-shifter-w-paddle-remote
Nearest is ARCHER DX1 remote shifter and derailleur electronic box for any ordinary derailleur.
price : $449 ? (Jun22).
The box you mount near your derailleur contains the motor that shifts the derailleur.
A short cable is still needed between box and (your normal) derailleur. But shifter is wireless, and no long cable.
imho sounds best option really (never mind the cheaper price).
review bikies seem happy and suggest getting the 'swift' for faster gear changing (more powerful batteries).
Maybe for casual commuter it doesn't matter, but only $20 price difference ?
Summary :
Shimano & SRAM : $1000 remote shifter + derailleur that has wireless motor built in. No cable. Can only use that derailleur (as it contains motor and wireless receiver).
Archer : $449 remote shifter + a box that contains the wireless motor that you mount near your derailleur. Attach a short cable between the 2. Can use on any derailleur.