Power Cordz Prime – New Ultra Lightweight Cable Housing
Not sure how this stacks up to Gore’s new fiber-optic based cable housing, but Power Cordz is claiming their new Prime cable set is the lightest cable and housing system in the world.
If you’re not familiar with their “cables”, they’re actually nylon-coated synthetic fibers rather than metal cables, which gives them a weight advantage to begin with. We reviewed them here.
The Prime steps it up (down?) further by replacing the traditional steel housing with a “feather light” housing created by Io Dupont. They say it’s half the weight, yielding a 16g weight loss overall on a typical installation. Weight is 18g/meter for the 4.5mm diameter version. The new kits also come with new all-alloy nosed ferrules and grommet clasps (they look like mini wiper seals) that help keep any grit out of the system.
Lastly, they now come in yellow, blue, red, black and white color options with white, red and black housings. Specs and pricing listed after the break…
- Housing weighs 18g/meter (4.5mm)
- 1.2 mm cable weighs 2 grams, 1.5 mm weighs 3 grams (standard steel gear cable weighs 14 grams)
- The 1.2 mm size is compatible with all common shift systems (SRAM, Shimano, Campagnolo)
- New nosed ferrules and grommet clasps eliminate ware, increase life span, and address installation concerns.
- Manufactured in the U.S.A.
- Two year defect warranty
- MSRP $69.95 per system (pre-order)
Comments
I hope the clamping of the cords don’t ruin them after the first time, like their older models
I have had a set of these on my bike for three years riding everyday through the best and worst Wisconsin weather could throw at me. They still feel better than any other metal system I have felt!
Had the previous (current) innercable model : worst cables ever. Drag was noticeably more than standard Shimano XTR’s. Shifting was awful, this was a downgrade instead of an upgrade. Switched back to XTR inner cables, couldn’t be happier.
They aren’t round. That is the biggest problem with the inner wires. They have tons of drag, clamping is iffey and lucky at best at times. I don’t care how much lighter the wires are. I am fine with my Gore Tex from almost 20 years ago! That is how good the original Gore Tex Cables were. That I still use them and they shift perfectly! Sad thing is the new versions are not as good. I wish they were. But I have both the basic and pro models and they just aren’t as good. Glad I stocked up on cables and housings of the originals back in the day. Including rolls of ultralight housing!
Well I’ve had power cordz on my bike since 2009 and haven’t had any drag issues. What kind of housing are you guys running it through? Is it possible the diameter of your housing isn’t wide enough or something? Maybe their new housing will fix the problem?? I dunno, just a thought.
@mudrider or @45rideon
What housing and cable lube (if any) are you using for derailleur? My experience with rear shift and rear brake (didn’t install fronts) in Shimano housing was they felt good initially but in short order they felt like they dried out and drag increased quickly.
@Michael: the originals weren’t round. The current are.