Shifter cables - recommendations

I agree with the above - Nokon cables are great, but damn expensive. I have been using Alligator Bullet Proof shifter cables and have been very impressed. They are relatively cheap (RRP $70) but you can get them on ebay or torpedo7 (http://www.torpedo7.com.au/products/ALBHCNNCS) for half that price.
Best advice is to run full length housing from the shifter to the rear derailleur - this limits the number of places that dirt can get it.
I hear that campagnolo cables are really good as well.
check out http://www.mtbr.com cos they have a few reviews on cables

These are also pretty good: http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_...

They look very similar to the Nokon's that Stuart suggested but maybe a bit cheaper? I've got em on all the bikes with gears and they've lasted very well. The compressionless housing does make a noticeable difference to shifting feel/accuracy.

They're fiddly as f&^* to set up, lots of little bits that can get lost, and getting the inner through the housing can be a challenge, but once done they're great. You don't need to go full length with these either as there's a full length liner between the cable and the housing.

I've also tried the heavy duty Alligator cables and foung them to be awful. Took no time at all until the too stiff outer failed.

Ta,
Matt.

but there is a cheaper version that looks very similar to the Nokon but I can't for the life of me remember what it is called. And the Nokons have lots of little parts to play with your mind as well.

There is also PowerCordz, but again I know very little about them other than they are light.

Aztec's aren't bad if you have the patience and skill to set them up properly, reading the reviews it seems most of them f#cked up when setting up by either not getting the right length housing to match the aluminium bits or rushing the cable insertion in the liner.

I did say they're a right pain to set up, and if you do it right it's worth it, but if you have only average patience or dexterity and aren't a workshop fanatic then maybe go for something simpler... they should probably come with a warning about hair loss through frustration...

I'd still buy them, as I said thay've been on two of my bikes now for at least a year each without maintenance or adjustment and still great shifting, though having seen the nokon's now would probably give them a go.

Out of desperation today I went to City Bike Depot and got some new cable and outer at lunch today.

The bike mechanic cut me some XTR cable outer, chucked some plastic outer caps and aluminium cable ends in my general direction and gave me a spectacular price.

He was quite disparaging about the XTR kit with the cable caps and rubber boots, saying they were 4 times the price and just served to trap the dirt. (shrugs shoulders)

I ignored his advice and recycled the existing cap and boot on the swingarm. I reckon it's the forward-facing end that feeds into the RD (XT) that catches the crap, and there's no way to fit a boot there anyway.

Stuart if you're planning a group buy on some Nokon gear I might be up for a set or two.

C'mon people.......please?