SimWorks by Nissen has released a new outer cable: CRISPER.
What sets it apart from the traditional stainless outer cable is that the inner coil wire has been thickened and the winding pitch tightened, significantly reducing "stroke loss" (operation loss due to compression).
As you can see in the photo above, less space between the coils means that when you pull the inner cable, the outer cable is much less likely to compress, making it a highly effective design.
This leads to improved performance in the shifting of today's mainstream 11- to 13-speed components, as well as a better lever feel when braking with mechanical disc brakes.
Having experienced the era of 8- to 10-speed systems, I find the shift adjustment on modern 12-speed setups to be extremely sensitive. While I miss the forgiving nature of 8- to 10-speed setups and the quiet, smooth way they clicked into gear, I’m currently riding a SKLAR PBJ equipped with 12-speed Shimano XT, so this release is welcome news for me.
From a Circles perspective—and personally speaking—I highly recommend this CRISPER cable to anyone using mechanical disc brakes like the PAUL Component Klamper or GROWTAC Equal.
GROWTAC's Equal, in particular, primarily uses a dedicated, highly rigid straight outer casing, while utilizing a flexible coil outer casing for sections that require tight bends or areas that could affect handling.
The goal here is to prevent the loss of braking power that occurs when the outer casing compresses and deforms under lever pressure. However, because it is so rigid, the casing is quite stiff, which can sometimes be a drawback for drop-bar bikes or frames that require tight wire routing.
Compared to the traditional SimWorks by Nissen stainless outer, CRISPER features a more precise structure by filling in the gaps between the coils. It isn't as stiff as the high-rigidity straight casing mentioned above, but it maintains a perfect amount of suppleness while effectively suppressing compression and deformation. It’s an excellent product that offers both a crisp lever feel and clean, easy routing.
SIMWORKS Stainless Outer Cable “CRISPER” for Brake – 3m
Price: 3,300 JPY (tax incl.)
SIMWORKS Stainless Outer Cable “CRISPER” for Shift – 3m
Price: 3,300 JPY (tax incl.)
While non-mechanical components like electronic shifting and hydraulic disc brakes are rising in popularity, many of the bikes we handle still rely heavily on mechanical components. For those of us who frequently perform maintenance and overhauls on these bikes, they remain an inseparable part of our work.
In a market where modern standards like mechanical disc brakes and 11- to 13-speed cable-actuated components are common, SimWorks by Nissen developing products optimized for these is by no means a nostalgic move for pre-10-speed components. Rather, I see it as a clear indication of SimWorks' commitment to addressing the actual needs of riders in today's era.
Oh, and as many of you may already know, SimWorks by Nissen outer casings come in 3-meter packages, which are longer than the typical off-the-shelf retail packages.
This is to account for the increasing number of full-outer housing frame designs and the need for more versatile cable routing to avoid interference with bags, racks, and other gear.
The evolution of components is exciting, but not everyone benefits from them in the same way, and there is a certain charm to the simple, mechanical nature of cable-actuated systems. For those who appreciate that, this is a product we highly recommend here at Circles.
