Five millimeter shift housing predates the current 4mm standard and remains the correct choice for frames with 5mm housing stops. Older road bikes, vintage mountain bikes, and some touring frames use this larger diameter, and running undersized housing through oversized stops creates sloppy cable routing that degrades shift quality. The 5mm Derailleur Housing from Jagwire fits these applications with linear strand construction that resists compression under cable tension.

Linear strands run parallel to the housing length rather than coiling around the core, which prevents the housing from shortening when the cable pulls. This compressionless behavior keeps shift indexing consistent across the cassette and maintains the feel you set during initial adjustment. The outer jacket protects the internal structure from moisture and abrasion while staying flexible enough to route through tight bends without kinking.

The 5-foot roll provides enough housing for a complete shift system on most bikes with material to spare for future repairs. Cut to length as needed and finish with appropriate ferrules at each end. If you're maintaining an older bike or building up a vintage frame, this housing matches the original spec without forcing adapter solutions.