2008 XT derailleur causing cable fraying?

[gordyj2000]

My 2008 XT rear derailleur seems to eat shift cables. The cable frays where it's clamped to the derailleur by a bolt and small washer or plate. I think I'm getting the cable properly clamped in its little groove on the derailleur housing, but I might be applying too much torque on the bolt. I have to replace the cable about every 3 months, which seems quick to me.

I was curious if anyone else was running into the same problem. Thoughts? Ideas?

Thanks!

[mopartodd]

Can you post a picture? I've not had any problems like this unless the cable was too short and I didn't use a cable crimp on the end.

[chinaman]

make sure you use a cable crimp on the end ... and i usually store the bike with the gear lever in the 'fully released' setting ...

[Tiffster]

do you mean you store it in the granny ring and the smallest cog at the rear?

[chinaman]

i am using a low normal rear derailleur and so it is in the largest cog ... i guess for a high normal derailleur, it is a toss up ...

[Tiffster]

ive got a sram xo, i was always taught to leave it in a lowish cog - about the 7th cog as to reduce any tension on the spring so it lasts longer. Im using powercordz/pre stretched cables so that should be alright.

[chinaman]

yeah as small a cog as is possible for sram derailleurs will logically extend the life of your cables ...

[SteveUK]

Is it a Shadow XT? If the cable is too long (over 3cm) it will catch on the spokes in lower gears.

[pmaddy]

My shadow XT has been doing the same thing but haven't been able to figure it out yet. Sometimes the cable will last several rides but I have had brand new cables fray just before the clamp bolt after just 1 ride. Really wierd.