Product Review

Instead of the usual wire/rubber cocktail that most cable housing uses, Jagwire's Road Elite Link Shift Cable Kit girds its Teflon-coated cables with an exoskeleton of alloy links. The benefits are impressive, especially considering how counter-intuitive this construction seems at first blush. Compared to traditional housing, the Link carapace allows for trickier routing angles, enjoys increased durability, stays compression-free so shifting and braking doesn't get muddy after a few weeks, and -- most surprising of all -- is a claimed 20% lighter. The segmented anno look also makes for a distinctive style that complements a tire/saddle/tape color scheme or serves as an easy-to-spot beacon while rushing from the water into a crowded transition. Please note that Jagwire recommends this kit for Shimano or SRAM road builds only -- Campagnolo fans need not apply.