Best Bike Cables for Road Bike of 2025

Luke Dobson Avatar
Luke Dobson
Last Updated: 6 Feb 2025

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Bike cables for road bikes are essential components that enable cyclists to brake and shift gears effectively. These cables are made of high-quality materials such as stainless steel or galvanized steel, which ensures durability and resistance to wear and tear. They come in various lengths and thicknesses to fit different bike models and brands, and their smooth surface reduces friction, allowing for smooth and accurate gear shifting. Overall, investing in high-quality bike cables for your road bike is a wise decision to ensure a safe and enjoyable cycling experience.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

SHIMANO Universal Brake Cable Set for Bicycles Cover #TOP 1
SHIMANO Universal Brake Cable Set for Bicycles
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Vitel Cycles Universal Bike Brake Inner Cables Cover #TOP 2
Vitel Cycles Universal Bike Brake Inner Cables
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Vitel Cycles 2 x 2100mm Gear Shift Cables Cover #TOP 3
Vitel Cycles 2 x 2100mm Gear Shift Cables
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Bike Cables for Road Bike

#TOP 1

SHIMANO Universal Brake Cable Set for Bicycles

Y80098022
Black
Universal
SHIMANO Universal Brake Cable Set for Bicycles Cover
SHIMANO Universal Standard Brake Cable Set, For MTB or Road Bikes

The SHIMANO Brake Cable Set is a versatile option for both mountain and road bikes. Its universal design ensures compatibility with various bicycle types, making it a convenient choice for any cyclist. The stainless steel inner wires provide smooth movement, enhancing your ride's performance by ensuring that your brakes respond effectively. Additionally, the included black cable housing measures 2200 mm in length, offering ample size for a neat installation. With two steel cables of different lengths, this set guarantees you have the right fit for your bicycle.

What We Like
Universal fit for all bikes
Smooth movement with stainless steel
Ample cable housing length
Includes multiple cable lengths

Vitel Cycles Universal Bike Brake Inner Cables

Silver
Vitel Cycles Universal Bike Brake Inner Cables Cover
Vitel Cycles 2 X 2000mm Universal Bike Brake Inner Cable Wire for Shimano/Sram Road | Hybrid | Mountain Bike with 3 Cable Crimp Ends

The Vitel Cycles Brake Cables are designed for exceptional performance, featuring a corrosion-resistant galvanised stainless steel inner cable that ensures precise braking. With two cables included, you can easily replace both old and worn-out cables, enhancing your bike's safety. The universal cable ends are compatible with Shimano and Sram systems, making it simple for you to find the right fit. Additionally, these cables work with various brake types, including calipers and mechanical disc brakes, ensuring versatility for your biking needs.

What We Like
Corrosion-resistant material
Easy installation and replacement
Universal compatibility
Works with multiple brake types
#TOP 3

Vitel Cycles 2 x 2100mm Gear Shift Cables

Vitel Cycles 2 x 2100mm Gear Shift Cables Cover
Vitel Cycles 2 x 2100mm Bike Gear Shift Inner Cable Wire Shimano/Sram Road | Mountain | Hybrid Bike with 3 Cable Crimp Ends

The Vitel Cycles Gear Shift Cables are designed to enhance your cycling experience with their corrosion-resistant galvanised stainless steel construction. This ensures precise performance, allowing you to shift gears smoothly and confidently. Each cable is pre-lubricated and pre-stretched, which means you'll enjoy optimal performance right from the start. With a universal fit for both Shimano and Sram systems, these cables are compatible with most bikes, giving you the convenience of easy installation.

What We Like
Corrosion-resistant stainless steel
Includes 3 cable crimp ends
Universal fit for various bikes
Pre-lubricated for easy use
#TOP 4

Shimano Y60098501 Road Bike Cable Set

Y60098501
Black
Shimano Y60098501 Road Bike Cable Set Cover
Shimano Road Gear Shift Inner Outer Bike Cable Set Y60098501, Black

The Shimano Road Cable Set offers pre-lubricated cables, ensuring long-lasting and effortless gear shifts. This means you can enjoy smoother transitions while riding, enhancing your overall cycling experience. The set includes a 1700mm outer gear cable housing, which provides ample length for various bike types. Additionally, it comes with two 2100mm inner gear cables, making it suitable for multiple configurations. Six ferrules and two cable ends are also included, ensuring you have everything you need for an effective installation.

What We Like
Pre-lubricated for smooth shifting
Includes all necessary components
Long outer cable for versatility
Durable inner cables

Jagwire 1.2mm Gear Cable for Bikes

JGC000
Silver
Jagwire 1.2mm Gear Cable for Bikes Cover
Jagwire Inner Road or Mountain Bike Gear Cable 1.2mm 2300mm

The Jagwire Gear Cable features a 1.2mm diameter, making it compatible with all standard Shimano, Sram, and Suntour shifters. With a generous length of 2300mm, it is suitable for both front and rear bike use. This cable is designed for all types of bikes equipped with indexed (click) gears, ensuring smooth shifting. Its stainless steel construction adds durability, giving you peace of mind during your rides.

What We Like
Compatible with various shifters
Generous length for flexibility
Durable stainless steel design
Suitable for all indexed gears
#TOP 6

Shimano Road Shift Bike Gear Cable Set

CABGR8BK
Black
standard size
Shimano Road Shift Bike Gear Cable Set Cover
Shimano Road Shift Road Bike Gear Cable Set Black

The Shimano Road Shift Cable Set is designed for racing bikes, offering reliable performance and durability. It features a thickened spout and cap, ensuring a secure fit that enhances your shifting experience. The set includes a 1700 mm cable housing, providing ample length for installation. Additionally, the inner cable is made from stainless steel, which contributes to its longevity. This cable set is perfect for those looking to improve their bike's shifting capabilities while ensuring a smooth ride.

What We Like
Durable stainless steel inner cable
Secure fit with thickened spout
Ample length for installation
Designed for racing bikes
#TOP 7

Yosoo 10pcs Stainless Steel Bike Shift Cables

Yosoo Health Gear7p3kcby01g
Silver
Yosoo 10pcs Stainless Steel Bike Shift Cables Cover
Yosoo 10pcs Stainless Steel Bike Shift Cable, Cycle Stainless Steel Gear Cable Inner, Bike Derailleur Cable Road Shift Cable Inner Shift Cable Universal for Common Bikes Mountain Bikes City Bikes

The Yosoo Bike Shift Cables provide a convenient solution for your cycling needs. With a suitable length of approximately 2m, you can easily customise the cable length to fit your bike perfectly. Crafted from durable stainless steel with zinc plating, these cables ensure longevity and reliability for your rides. Their superior performance allows you to adjust speeds smoothly, enhancing your overall comfort and safety while cycling. Additionally, they are versatile, compatible with mountain bikes, road bikes, and folding bikes.

What We Like
Customisable cable length
Durable stainless steel material
Improves speed adjustment
Compatible with various bike types
#TOP 8

Clarks Universal Galvanised Rear Brake Cable

Clarks Cycle Systems
5095MTB
Black
One Size
Clarks Universal Galvanised Rear Brake Cable Cover
Clarks Universal Galvanised Rear Brake Cable - Black Brake Wires with Standard Outer Casing and All Fittings for MTB, Hybrid & Road Bikes

The Clarks Rear Brake Cable is designed for easy replacement of your bike's control cables. Made from durable galvanised steel, it ensures the longevity of your braking system. With a long brake wire housed in a standard black outer casing, it provides a sleek and functional look. This comprehensive kit includes all necessary fittings, making it simple for you to install and maintain your bike, whether it’s a mountain, hybrid, or road bike.

What We Like
Durable galvanised steel construction
Compatible with major brake systems
Easy installation with included fittings
Long-lasting performance
Value for money
#TOP 9

Clarks 2m Stainless Steel Brake Wire for Bikes

W6053
Silver/Red
200 cm
Clarks 2m Stainless Steel Brake Wire for Bikes Cover
Clarks Stainless Steel Brake Wire - 2m Universal Stainless Steel Brake Cable for Front and Rear Brakes for Mountain Bikes (MTB), Hybrid and Road Bikes

The Clarks Brake Wire is a reliable solution for replacing control cables on your mountain, hybrid, or road bike. Crafted from durable stainless steel, it ensures your brakes maintain their performance over time. With 2 metres of wire and crimp-on end covers, it prevents fraying and enhances longevity. This comprehensive kit is compatible with all major brake systems, making replacement simple and convenient for you, whether for regular commuting or leisurely rides.

What We Like
Durable stainless steel construction
Easy installation for all bikes
Prevents fraying with covers
2m length for versatile use

Vitel Cycles Universal Brake Cable Kit Set

Black
Vitel Cycles Universal Brake Cable Kit Set Cover
Vitel Cycles Universal Brake Cable Kit Front and Rear Set with Black Housing for Shimano/Sram Mountain | Hybrid | Road Bike

The Vitel Cycles Brake Cable Kit is designed to enhance your braking performance. As your cables deteriorate, they can become stiff and less effective, but this kit helps restore a smooth and responsive feel. It is compatible with Shimano and SRAM levers, ensuring versatility for various bike types. The corrosion-resistant inner cable and lined outer housing work together to reduce friction, making your brakes more efficient. With this complete kit, you have everything you need to replace your current brake wiring system.

What We Like
Restores braking performance
Compatible with various levers
Corrosion-resistant inner cable
Reduced friction for efficiency
Complete kit for easy replacement
Buying Guide Image
Editor's Notes

During our bike cable for road bike research, we found 211 bike cable for road bike products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 41,972 customer reviews through our big data system to write the bike cables for road bike list. We found that most customers choose bike cables for road bike with an average price of £5.82.

The bike cables for road bike are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of bike cables for road bike, including SHIMANO, Vitel Cycles, Jagwire, Yosoo, Clarks Cycle Systems. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 852 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.

Written by
Luke Dobson Avatar

Luke is a runner, a climber, hiker, hunter, and a lot more. Luke Dobson is Celtic-born and has lived most of his life in Scotland. However, his sporting endeavours have taken him to several countries around Europe. He serves as a tour guide for countless companies and owns a couple of gyms and recreational centres in Scotland. Luke Dobson is proficient in 7 different languages. He maintains many sport article columns where he shares his wealth of experience in the sport industry.