How long should a shifter cable last???

[lph]

where is it frayed? I've never logged how often I change cables, but I think that you could easily fray one fast at the attachment points with a bit too much force and a little bad luck. I've only had a cable disintegrate on me while riding twice, and that was after a bad winter with a lot of sticky cables and heavy-handed shifting. It sucks having to ride to work in only your granny gear

[Mr. Bloom]

It's frayed inside the rear shifter. I'm observing this, by applying the break and looking inside one of the gaps with a flashlight.

I'm going to look into this Jagwire thing...blingy colors got my attention

I don't ride in harsh conditions although I may be a little heavy handed in shifting on the hills...I don't feel 100% confident with my double yet...

[Mr. SR500]

Just a quick wearing shifting cable. The next one will likely last 4 times as long. I had one fray in the shifter a couple years ago, wondered why I couldn't get it shifting right until I changed cables.

[gnat23]

As I just snapped my rear derailleur cable on the Cinderella Challenge, I can definitively say this:

A shifter cable lasts about 3000 miles, or until you are out in the middle of nowhere.

-- gnat! (Coach said to change 'em out once a year; now I know)