II second guessed myself and re-tightened with my Park Tool cable stretcher and frayed the cable. I used the tool on the brakes and rear der with no issues. I was able to tighten the front der. cable but now there is about an inch of frayed wire sticking out. I would rather buy a new cable and make sure it's good before I wrap the bars. Hence why I'm looking to purchase shift cables.

You're not the least bit clear about where this frayed portion of the cable is but if it is at the end (after the cable clamp) then it is not a serious problem. You might even be able to twist it back to smooth and then either apply super glue, solder, or a cable cap to hold everything together.

As far as cables being different quality, yes they are. Some are not even stainless steel and so corrode easily. While there are a bunch of fans of various after-market cables, experience teaches that you won't go wrong with cable brands that match the brands of your components.

 

Here's a pic of the situation.

The reason I asked is I don't know if the cable end that goes into the shifter is universal.

 

The cable ends need to be compatible - Campy and Shimano are different but I think that Shimano and SRAM are the same (head size is just enough different that you will jam it and not be able to get it out if you have the wrong one).

If it were me I would try to twist that cable back into as close as possible to a unified end and then super glue it or put a cable cap on it. Then I would buy a spare cable because you might have difficulties the next time you remove it from the derailleur.

 

I'd put a new cable on there. To me, that looks like the frayed part is too close to the cable clamp. If you can twist that so you can put a cable cap on it my hat's off to you. Replace it. It's only a couple of bucks.

 

replace it, it's cheap. and stop using the silly third hand (cable stretcher) thing. i can't remember the last time i used that tool. or...don't cut the cable before you get it adjusted properly, then it won't fray.

 

replace it, it's cheap. and stop using the silly third hand (cable stretcher) thing. i can't remember the last time i used that tool. or...don't cut the cable before you get it adjusted properly, then it won't fray.

Second that! Cable stretcher can really screw up your cables. I am talking from expirience....

 

I cut the cable after it frayed. I had no choice.

I have officially given up on the cable stretcher.

I wanna get a new cable that's why I'm asking if the cables are the same. I've been looking for MicroShift cables online and can't seem to find any.

 

Look at figure 3 on the Microshift lever installation page. Shows all dimensions of the cable end. It's a standard Shimano/Sram cable.
http://www.microshift.com.tw/installation/Duarl Control Lever (Road).pdf

 

the ONLY difference that matters is Campy shifters need Campy compatible cables. you can use Shimano and SRAM and any other cable interchangeably w/ ANY shifter as long as it's not Campy.
why aren't you just going to a local shop and buying a cable for $3.00? oddly enough they can also answer questions about compatibility right then and there.

 

I wish I had that kind of time. I work and I'm in school and have had exams for the past two weeks. I've been working on this overnight in between studying and sleeping. I have a short reprieve between exams this week so I'll stop by a shop. Thanks to everyone for their helpful responses.

 

I needed a cable in a hurry, and only Canadian Tire was open, so $3.49 later, I had a shifter cable that looked and worked in every respect exactly the same as the OEM 'Shimano'. This time, I cut it plenty long so I could grip it with pliers to set starting tension, and if it ever frayed, it was far enough away that I could trim away the frayed part, and have lots left over. It's been working really well.

So no, it doesn't matter, make it easy on yourself, grab another cable from anywhere.

 

I cut it plenty long so I could grip it with pliers to set starting tension.

Funny but in decades of working on bikes I've never needed to grip that front cable with anything but my fingers. Maybe I'm doing something wrong?

 

Before and during this process I was searching on YouTube for how to videos. Mostly they were not all inclusive. It wasn't until after my cable stretch fiasco did I come across this video. I wish I would have found this earlier.