01-31-2020, 07:40 PM
I like to have spare brake and gear cables on hand for obvious reasons. A recent purchase of a cruiser bike meant buying a longer gear cable because standard cables are too short by about six inches or less.
So it becomes necessary to buy a cable made for a tandem bike, and then cut a few feet off it. The longer cable costs around $8, compared with the standard cable at $5. I imagine that the extra money is not so much because of a few more inches of cable, but because tandem cables don't sell as well. From previous cruiser experience, I learned that the LBS doesn't keep tandem gear cables in stock. So buying online raises the price to just under $15 because of shipping.
If cable makers would make their standard cables about six inches longer, we cruiser enthusiasts could pick one up at the LBS for around $6. To not have a spare on hand would mean if the cable needs to be replaced, the bike would be out of commission while a new one is ordered online.
So it becomes necessary to buy a cable made for a tandem bike, and then cut a few feet off it. The longer cable costs around $8, compared with the standard cable at $5. I imagine that the extra money is not so much because of a few more inches of cable, but because tandem cables don't sell as well. From previous cruiser experience, I learned that the LBS doesn't keep tandem gear cables in stock. So buying online raises the price to just under $15 because of shipping.
If cable makers would make their standard cables about six inches longer, we cruiser enthusiasts could pick one up at the LBS for around $6. To not have a spare on hand would mean if the cable needs to be replaced, the bike would be out of commission while a new one is ordered online.
If I knew how to ride a bike properly, I'd do it every time.