I wouldn't do anything to modify the round strand's drawn finish, which, at the strand level, is virtually polished. You'd never get all the grit out of the wound cable, either.
The wound cable isn't hot-drawn, in all probability. That would dramatically reduce it's strength and fatigue resistance. They are cold-drawn through a mandrel or two. I agree with Chuck that modified strands would most likely fail earlier.
Smooth-drawn wound cables have one advantage in that they do not imprint their rough exterior shape into plastic housing liners. That sometimes causes an "indexed" brake lever feel, but typically only in the sharply-bent housings exiting aero levers. I have never noticed any improvement using smooth-drawn shifter cables, only with aero brake levers.
David Snyder Auburn, CA usa
Ken Freeman wrote:
> The question is, does it reduce friction as well as die-drawing? I don't
> know, and unless your wrench has tested or found a test, he prob doesn't
> either. You pays your money and .... you know!
>
>
>
Garth Libre wrote:
>
>> As the title says, does it help in reducing friction by sanding down
>> the standard brake cable before using? Another list member just
>> suggested it. The local wrench poo pooed the idea when I brought it up,
>> but it seems as if it just might work.
>>
>> in Miami Fl USA