If you've installed Shimano shifters, you've probably seen the plastic sleeve-thing included in the box to install around the brake cables on the bar, I guess to keep the cables from being pinched by a tight wrap job. Any opinions out there as to whether it's really necessary?
thanks

If you've installed Shimano shifters, you've probably seen the plastic sleeve-thing included in the box to install around the brake cables on the bar, I guess to keep the cables from being pinched by a tight wrap job. Any opinions out there as to whether it's really necessary?
thanks

I've never installed them, I don't know what they're actually for. I thought they were to smooth out the "bump" caused by the housing so your hands don't notice. If I'm missing something by not having installed them, I have yet to figure it out.

They're not to prevent pinching due to a tight bar wrap. There's no way bar tape can compress a cable housing and certainly not enough to pinch the cable. They're simply to make a smoother feel under the bar tape. Use them or not, it's personal preference. I just used them on an install of bar end shifters on time trial bars where there was no groove for the housing. It smoothed out the feel. I don't think they'd do much where there are grooves in the bar for cable housing but if your bars don't have grooves they may make a smoother transition.

If you've installed Shimano shifters, you've probably seen the plastic sleeve-thing included in the box to install around the brake cables on the bar, I guess to keep the cables from being pinched by a tight wrap job. Any opinions out there as to whether it's really necessary?
thanks

Nope, never. Unnecessary weight, even if they might be only 10 grams. Right up there with spoke protectors and pedal reflectors.