Best Bike Cables in 2022

Last update: December 31, 2022

Are all bike brake cables the same?

Bike brake cables are not all the same. There are different types for different brake systems. Some brake cables are universal, but not all. Make sure to check what type of cable your bike needs before making a purchase.

Are brake and shifter cables the same?

Most brake and shifter cables are the same, but there are some differences. Brake cables are typically thicker and have a higher tensile strength than shifter cables. Shifter cables are typically shorter and have a lower tensile strength.

Can you use MTB brake cables on a road bike?

Mountain bike brake cables are not compatible with road bikes. The difference in cable pull between the two types of bikes means that mountain bike cables will not provide enough stopping power for a road bike. Additionally, mountain bike brake cables are not designed to work with road bike brake levers.

How do you change road bike cables?

Road bike cables need to be changed when they become frayed or when the inner wires start to show through the outer casing. To change road bike cables, you will need a few tools including a cable cutter and a cable ferrule crimper. You will also need to remove the old cable housing from the frame. Once you have all of the necessary tools, you can follow these steps: 1. Cut the old cable housing with the cable cutter. 2. Remove the old cable ferrule from the frame with a small screwdriver. 3. Slide the new


SHIMANO MTB SUS Bicycle Shift Cable Set Review:


On my commuter bike, the shifting proved problematic. Shifting was well when I pulled my bike inside and warmed it up, but when I left it outside, shifting became an issue once more. I initially suspected my Deore derailleur, but changing the cables was a less expensive solution. Compared to what I replaced, the housing in this kit is much lighter and more flexible. The interior plastic coating is fantastic. My old cables were rusty; these have a coating and are stainless. The cables are also much nicer. Even in the cold, my shifting greatly improved. My prior housing, in my opinion, simply became stiff from the cold, but not these. To prevent damaging the housing and frayed cable ends, use a cable cutter.Excellent wires and housing, A .



GPMTER 10Pcs 2m Bike Replaceable Brake Cable, and Silver Alloy Cable Cap End Tip Crimp Set, Braking for Mountain Bikes Review:


The new cable I purchased had acceptable overall quality and a reasonable price, but it didn't fit my Avid MTB brakes. I was dissatisfied when the brake cable arrived and I discovered it was too tiny to fit tightly in the brake lever housing. I had erroneously believed that the size of the eyelet was universal. My original cable has a round retaining eyelet that is 1/4" (6mm ) in diameter. Sorry, I didn't measure it before the return, but the replacement I bought was less. Perhaps the seller might specify the diameter of the retention eyelet in the listing's update.



Yakamoz 2-in-1 Universal Bike Bicycle Shift Derailleur Cable & Brake Cable Housing Replacement Kit for Moutain Road Bike Cycling Repairing Review:


To replace the rear derailleur on my vintage 2013 Diamondback, I purchased this kit. The first one frayed, so I thought about taking it to a bike shop. Normally, these fixes are affordable, but when I saw how cheap the cables were, I made the decision to do them myself. I'm glad I did. There are two brake cables and two derailleur cables, and the quality appears to be excellent. Pay care to the ends because I severed a brake cable by mistake, thinking it was a derailleur cable, but it was my own problem. I discovered it was a little too short once I had the correct cable and had fed it through. So short that the internal cable would not be able to reach the tightening nut on the derailleur if I maintained the same length for all the outer cables. In order for the internal cable to reach, I had to remove about 3 inches from the front outer cable that was closest to the shifter and about 1 inch from the rear outer cable. Even then, the remaining length was barely long enough to pass through the tightening bolt and crimp. Due to the insufficient cable, it was a little more difficult to try to tighten the connection. It would have been ideal if the cable had been at least 4 inches longer, preferably 6 inches to be safe. This cable was too short for a medium-sized frame, and who knows how it would have fit if it had been a larger frame. Even though I had to recut some of the exterior cable sections after realizing it wouldn't work, I like that it came with the outer cables and ends. Good wire and materials, all kept together neatly, however the length is too short.



Jagwire Dropper Seatpost Cable Kit Review:


I didn't think this cable kit would make much of a difference to my dropper post. I was astonished by how much smoother and simpler it was to activate my dropper after installation. When compared to the generic shifter cable and housing I was using before, the difference is night and day. I'm using a fox transfer and wolf tooth remote with this.



Hyacinth 10PCS Premium Bike Shift Cable, Professional Bicycle Shift Wire Kit for Mountain and Road Bicycle, for Free 5 O-Rings, 10 End Ferrules and 20 End Caps Review:


The only issue is that there are two different sizes—a short table for the front and a big table for the rear. I assumed they were all one size. Definitely the Great by I'm a bike technician.



JAGWIRE Slick Stainless Steel Shift/Shifter Cables Set Review:


Typically, shifter cables are made of galvanized steel or stainless steel. I favor stainless since it should be more corrosion-resistant than galvanized (yes, the chemists can weigh in the fact that stainless does not equal rust free, but close enough). I'm not sure if they last longer than galvanized, given that I frequently replace cables because they are fraying at the clamp (likely from being flexed too frequently from bumps to the cable) or because I need to adjust or replace my handlebar, stem, shifter, or derailleur because they are damaged, or because I've tried endlessly to get the fit of my bike just right.Whatever your taste, Jagwire produces high-quality cables, housings, and other accessories, so I ordered a few of these to keep on hand. Since bulk packs of these are hard to come by and somewhat expensive, I may try using plain old galvanized to cut costs and see how it performs in my environment. Not sure whether smoother feeling means better performance because stainless feels smoother than galvanized. As a side note, it's worth trying, so I could be reporting back on another review later.These appear to be functioning well so far.



Juscycling Universal Bicycle Brake Housing Cable Kit for Bicycles -5 Color Options Review:


The kit appears to be of great quality and includes everything you need. This review is mostly intended as a caution to everyone to CHECK THE LENGTHS BEFORE YOU INSTALL. I fitted the longer cable on my front brakes and clipped it since I erroneously believed they were both the same length, however after doing so I realised I could not attach the shorter rear cable. To reach the rear callipers, it is quite important that they differ by 0.6m. For a second chance, I've ordered a second set, but check the lengths first before making any permanent decisions!



Schwinn SW76193-4 Brake and Derailleur Cable Repair Set, Black Review:


Inside the all-purpose enclosure, the cables are sturdy and easily movable. It is necessary to use a bicycle cable housing cutter since utilizing flat-bladed cutting pliers or a hacksaw to try to cut through the thick steel lining would be next to impossible. Although the brake cable ends are smaller than the ones that came with my brake levers, they still fit and function properly. Normal-sized cable ends are on the shifter. The crimping process went smoothly with the good ferrules. The product has two minor drawbacks: there are only four cable end caps, so great care and certainty must exist before they are installed and crimped; they are tightly coiled in the package, making it possible for visible bends in what should be smooth curves of cable housing in front of the handlebars. I'm incredibly pleased with how nicely these cables function with my 18-speed bike's linear pull brake. Despite the fact that I neglected to grease the cables, they move with ease and control. Excellent, forceful braking and friction shifting were achieved with no fine adjustment by seating the cable and constricting the spiral lining. Brake and shifter levers can be connected to the rear triangle in a continuous connection thanks to the housing's length. Rain, splashed puddle water, grit from the road, and perspiration won't get to fully contained cables. Having a set of them on hand for future usage gives me a great deal of peace of mind.



Titanker Bike Lock Cable, 6-Feet Bike Cable Basic Self Coiling Resettable Combination Cable Bike Locks with Complimentary Mounting Bracket, 6 Feet x 1/2 Inch (Type-1) Review:


Although no cable lock is "high security," these are undoubtedly superior to the most I've encountered. The action is smooth and steady, and the dials' numbers are highly visible, which is a HUGE plus in my book. My family uses these interchangeably to lock their bikes to a single mountpoint in the garage after I purchased six of them and set them all to the same combination. really effective The six foot version has enough length to wrap two bikes around a shackle, rack, or pole and lock them through their forks at the same time.However, the provided bracket that allows you to mount the lock to the bike while riding is very worthless. Only full-sized adult bikes with no tail lights, seatpipe shock absorbers, or other accessories will fit it on the seatpipe. That eliminates every single one of my family's six bikes. This lock must be stored in a saddlebag, backpack, or wrapped around your fork like any other lock if you choose to travel with it rather than leave it at home. Nevertheless, it effortlessly coils into a tight loop every time, making it simple to bag-pack, even in a relatively small saddlebag or handlebar-mounted pouch.



Titanker Bike Lock Cable, 6-Feet Bike Cable Basic Self Coiling Resettable Combination Cable Bike Locks with Complimentary Mounting Bracket, 6 Feet x 1/2 Inch (Type-3) Review:


I love it! Three bikes can be secured using the 6 feet. The thickness is sufficient, but you shouldn't assume that you can leave your bike in a dangerous location for an extended period of time. Thieves with giant pliers can easily cut through any type of lock in under a minute, so don't waste your money on something more. It is sufficient to stop anyone from merely riding your bike or opening the wheels when you are in a store.Benefits: 1. Six feet is long enough to lock two wheels and a shaft to a tree and is long enough for three bicycles.2. Appear classy and refined3. Simple to pack and open4. Simple to open and lock5. Financial


How do you fix a rusted bike cable?

If your bike cable is starting to rust, there are a few things you can do to stop the process and prevent further damage. First, clean the cable with a wire brush or steel wool to remove any loose rust. Then, apply a thin layer of lubricant to the cable to help protect it from moisture. Finally, wrap the cable in a cloth or tape to keep it from coming into contact with water or other corrosive materials.

How do you know when to replace brake cables?

If your bike has brake cables that are more than a few years old, it’s probably time to replace them. Look for fraying or kinking of the cables, or rust on the metal parts. If the cables are hard to operate or don’t seem to be working as well as they used to, it’s time for new ones.

How long do bike shift cables last?

Bike shift cables are typically made of stainless steel, which makes them fairly durable. However, they are still susceptible to wear and tear, and will eventually need to be replaced. Depending on how often you ride and how well you take care of your bike, shift cables can last anywhere from a few months to a few years.

How long should bike cables be?

Bike cables come in a variety of lengths, and the length you need depends on the size of your bike frame. The most common lengths are 1.5m, 2m, and 3m. If you have a small frame, you may be able to get away with a 1.5m cable. If you have a larger frame, you'll need a longer cable. The best way to determine the length you need is to measure the distance from the handlebars to the rear axle. This will give you the minimum length you need. If you're unsure, it's better

How much does it cost to replace bike brakes?

The cost of replacing bike brakes can vary depending on the type of bike, the brake pads, and the brake rotors. Generally, the cost of replacing bike brakes will be between $50 and $200.

How much is it to replace a shifter cable?

If your shifter cables are fraying, breaking, or otherwise not working as they should, it's probably time to replace them. But how much does it cost to replace a shifter cable? On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $15 to $30 for a new shifter cable. However, the exact price will depend on the make and model of your vehicle, as well as the quality of the replacement parts. If you're handy with a wrench, you may be able to replace the shifter cables yourself. However, if you're not