Best Bike Brake Cables & Housing in 2022

Last update: December 1, 2022

Are bicycle brake cables and shifter cables the same?

Bicycle brake cables and shifter cables are not the same. Brake cables are made of thicker wire, which can handle the high amounts of force needed to stop a bicycle. Shifter cables are made of thinner wire, which is more flexible and can be routed through tighter spaces.

Do you need housing for brake cables?

Most modern bicycles have brakes that work by squeezing brake levers, which in turn activate brake cables that pull on brake pads, slowing or stopping the wheel. Brake cables are typically made of stainless steel wire, with a plastic or metal coating to protect the bicycle frame from the cable. The housing is the part that covers the brake cable and protects it from the elements. Housing is not required for brake cables, but it is recommended in order to prolong the life of the cables and protect them from the elements. If you do not use housing, be sure to

Do you need to replace bike cable housing?

No, you don't need to replace bike cable housing unless it's damaged.

Does cable housing affect shifting?

Cable housing is the outer casing that contains the inner wires that run from the shifters to the derailleurs. The housing protects the inner wires from dirt and moisture and keeps them from binding. When housing gets old and dirty, it can cause shifting problems. Replacing old housing with new housing can improve shifting.


Hyacinth 10PCS Premium Bike Brake Cable, Professional Bicycle Brake line for Mountain and Road, Free for End Caps and End Ferrule Review:


Right, a cable is a cable. Because the other "premium" cables are so outrageously costly, I chose to test them. These compare favourably to more expensive ones in terms of both appearance and feel. I like that they didn't fray even after being chopped. The three bikes I fitted them on stopped on a dime and gave back change after a small amount of grease was slid inside a Jagwire housing. Never again pay $15 for cable!



Shimano Universal Standard Brake Cable Set, For MTB or Road Bikes Review:


When I see folks using cables that are less expensive than Shimano, I'm always astonished. It makes absolutely no sense to save a few dollars and run cables less expensively than Shimano, although I completely understand individuals who favor related manufacturers like Jagwire, for instance.Two brake cables that work for both road and mountain applications are included in this set, along with a very long housing, four housing endcaps, and two cable endcaps. Personally, I like to run housing caps into my brakes whenever possible, thus I prefer 6 housing caps, but 4 will do ( nearly any brake can have housing ran right into it without caps and some, like Campy, require it). Additionally, if you cut your housing with a little extra care (measure precisely), you'll have enough extra to run housing for your next application. You get a ton of housing with this kit, trust me on that.This kit can be installed in less than 30 minutes by just about anyone who has a mechanical aptitude. Less than 20 minutes, if you ride a bike to work frequently like I do. Just make sure you use a good set of cable/housing cutters if you don't frequently replace your wires and housing. Just use a good pair of cutters, and they don't even have to be cycling-specific. If you don't, cutting your housing cleanly will be difficult and you'll end up fraying your cables. If you don't have a premium subscription and want something affordable, Amazon has an inexpensive pair of Stanley cutters available as an add-on that are ideal for this kind of use.Again, Shimano's kits are inexpensive, of excellent quality, and need minimal assembly. They ought to be regarded by everyone as the least expensive suitable cable and housing packages.



Hotop 2 Set Mountain Bike Brake Cable Gear Cable Wire and Cable End Crimps Kit Review:


I made the decision to refurbish a bicycle I had purchased from Costco in 2008 a few months ago. A Schwinn with Shimano components all everywhere. It served as my primary source of transportation for a while before I acquired a car, and after that it spent a lot of time outside, which was bad for the body and its parts. I replaced almost everything else after sanding everything down and repainting the main frame.I had to replace all of my brake and shift lines since they were beginning to deteriorate at the tip. I was able to replace all of my lines with this while keeping each one's sheath. I gave this product a four star rating because I had to replace one of the line's "heads" since it broke inside my shifter as I was setting my front derailleur.



JooFn Bike V Brake Noodle Cable Guide Pipe Rubber Boots Bicycle Cycling 2 Set(4Pcs) Review:


I have no knowledge of bicycle brakes. Although I didn't realize I would even need new brake noodles, I did purchase replacement handles and brake lines. The brake noodles that came with my bike seem worse than this. When I changed the brake handles and cables on my six-year-old bike, I had no idea that I would also require new brake noodles. I bought a set of these for my second bike and utilized the first pair. Even better than the ones I took out to replace the brake lines, these are sleek and gleaming. I'll probably get a new set to replace the one I used previously. You can learn about the stuff you need before you start this project by watching several YouTube videos.



WEFOO Bicycle Brake Wire Set,1 Pair Front and Rear Brake Cable,Black Review:


The new cables slide fairly easily and were long enough that I could have removed more length when trimming them for my XL frame.



Sram GXP Bottom Bracket for English or Italian Threading Review:


Chris King or Phil Wood bottom brackets were on my list of potential purchases, but I quickly understood how foolish that would be.Why pay 4-5 times as much for something that has never given me a durability issue.Yes, I change my BBs every two to three years, but even so, I can obtain eight to twelve years' worth of replacements for the price of a Chris King or Phil Wood. (In addition, the Chris King requires routine maintenance.)This more recent variant from SRAM/TruVativ looks much better and mimics the Kings and Woods' curved bearing cup design.Simple to install To make sure you put it on tightly enough, use a torque wrench. Setup and forget. Repeat as necessary every two to three years.This BB can be found on all four of my bikes.(I ride my single-speed MTB 20 miles a week, my road bike 80 miles a week, and the other two occasionally.)



Muzata Stainless Steel Cable Cutter Wire Rope Shearing Forceps for Bicycle Cable and Housing+ 4Pcs Bike Brake Cable Cap End Tips as Gift M015 Review:


Given the evaluations, I decided to go with the majority and take a chance on these in an effort to discover something useful that didn't cost as much as my bike. For this tool, the big name brands are WAY out there. This is incredibly efficient, effortlessly slicing through brake or gear wires. I also chopped the housings using it. Regarding "crushing" the housing, I don't sure there is much other than a rotary cutter that can cut a hollow tube without slightly bending it. The hole can easily be opened back up and the shape is restored with a small tapered punch or pick. If you're looking for an affordable, practical cable cutter, look no further. There will always be naysayers who won't be satisfied.


How do I know if I need new brake cables?

If your bike is having trouble stopping, or the brakes feel spongy when you squeeze the levers, it might be time for new brake cables. The best way to check is to remove the cables from the housing and inspect them for fraying or rust. If they look damaged, it's time for new ones.

How much does it cost to replace brake cables?

Brake cables are one of the most important parts of your braking system, and they are also one of the most vulnerable. Because they are constantly exposed to the elements, they are susceptible to corrosion and wear. If your brake cables are damaged, they will need to be replaced. The cost of replacing brake cables will vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle, as well as the type of cables you need. In most cases, you can expect to pay between $100 and $200 for the parts and labor.

How much does it cost to replace shifter cable?

The average cost to replace a shifter cable is between $150 and $200. This does not include the cost of labor, which can vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle.

How often should you replace your bike cables?

Bike cables should be replaced at least once a year, and more often if you ride in wet or muddy conditions.

Is it okay to hang a bike by its tire?

Is replacing bike brake cable hard?

It's not hard to replace a bike brake cable, but it's important to do it correctly. If you don't, you could end up with a dangerous situation where your brakes don't work properly. Here are the steps to replacing a bike brake cable: 1. Remove the old cable. You'll need to remove the housing from the brake levers first. Then, use a cable cutter to cut the old cable at the point where it enters the housing. 2. Cut the new cable to the correct length. Measure the old cable to get an idea of