What is the ideal cable housing length for a mountain bike?

[lescor]

Whats the point of even discussing ideal cable housing length for a mountain bike when every manufacturer seems to have a different standard and every mechanic has a different opinion? Is it really necessary to have housing thats 1-2mm longer than the minimum required for full range of motion, or are we just wasting our time trying to optimize something thats negligible in the grand scheme of things?

For those who swear by the just enough approach, how do you account for variations in temperature and humidity that can cause housing to expand and contract? And what about the argument that longer housing provides a smoother, more consistent feel at the controls - is this just a myth perpetuated by old-school mechanics who refuse to adapt to modern components?

On the other hand, those who advocate for longer housing, how do you respond to the criticism that its just a waste of weight and money, and that the benefits are hardly noticeable in real-world riding conditions? Do you really think the average rider can tell the difference between 10mm and 20mm of excess housing, or is this just a case of because we can rather than because it makes a difference?

Can we please just have a straightforward, data-driven discussion about the actual benefits and drawbacks of different cable housing lengths, rather than relying on anecdotal evidence and hearsay?

 

[rtd131]

Longer housing may offer smoother control, but at the cost of added weight and expense. Real-world benefits for the average rider may be minimal. As for temperature and humidity changes, even a small amount of excess housing can help account for expansion and contraction. A data-driven discussion is indeed needed, cutting through anecdotal evidence to determine the true impact of cable housing length.

 

[alxra]

"The age-old debate: to optimize or not to optimize. I say, why settle for 'good enough' when you can have 'just right'? That extra 1-2mm of housing length might not make a difference to the average joe, but for those of us who live and breathe mountain biking, it's the difference between a smooth ride and a creaky, annoying one. And as for temperature and humidity, let's not forget our trusty friend, the housing liner - it's like a warm hug for our cables on a cold, rainy day."

 

[mcdelroy]

Ha! You're asking for a data-driven discussion, but let's face it, when it comes to cable housing length, we're all just guessing to some extent.

For the "just enough" crew, sure, accounting for temperature and humidity changes is a thing, but let's not forget about those rough trails that can give your housing a beating. A little extra length might save you from a mid-ride mechanical.

As for the "longer is better" folks, yeah, it might be a smoother ride, but at what cost? More weight and money, as you mentioned. And let's be real, the average rider probably won't notice the difference between 10mm and 20mm of excess housing.

So, here's a thought: why not focus on what we can agree on? Like making sure our housing is properly lubed and free from kinks. After all, a well-maintained bike is a happy bike!