The 8 Best Road Bike Shifter Cables (2023 reviews)

From a rainbow of cable housings and brake pads to stylish shifter mounts, jagwire helps you transform your ride into a rolling gallery of self-expression. They give you enough housing to run the full length housed. The housing is pre-lubed and the inner wire is very, very smooth, but what really makes the deal is the assortments of bushings they provide and their sturdiness in cable bosses.

This cable kit makes the back one feel as easy to pull as the front one. It is a very stiff, zero compression housing. The lined cable housing is especially useful and decreases friction. The housing comes in a single piece, with more flexible, traditional coiled housing at either end, for getting the cable to the levers.

Why We Like This:

Great value, gives you all the additional parts you could possibly need
Include two short segments of their higher-end "elite link" cables for tight bends
Excellent quality and application was simple

Best For dropper post: Jagwire Road Bike Shifter Cable

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For smooth shifting you must have good & well lubed cables, housings, shifters & derailleurs. This cable is the best way to improve derailleur shifting. It comes with end ferrels and also will last a long time. The high carbon stainless steel is magnetic and much higher strength than common stainless steel like 18-8 used for silverware.

These are very nicely finished stainless cables. These shift cables will prevent stretching and the cable housing won't deteriorate nearly as much, and the stiffer and slicker inner cable lining will make shifting a lot easier. The cable is very smooth. It is a great replacement for cable driven components.

Why We Like This:

Full length and high quality cables
Good extra length for generic installation
Steel including stainless is made of iron

Best For restoring old bikes: Hapleby Road Bike Shifter Cable

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The cables are thinner than Shimano. Fortunately it is long enough to work perfectly on your bike, fit for a tandem bike too. It will fit a campy mirage 8 speed shifter. It comes with 5 o-rings, 10 end ferrules and 20 end caps.

These shift cable diameter is 1.2 mm, and the effect of using a 4 mm housing cable is better. It can provide smooth movement and higher corrosion resistance, and is strong and durable. The cables are good quality and do not fray too easily. It is far superior in quality to the other cables that are still functioning fine on the bike.

Why We Like This:

Great kit to update brakes on a few bikes
Perfect, with a few spare cables for later use if needed
Good brand reputation

Best For housings: Boao Road Bike Shifter Cable

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These are absolutely wonderful line kits. The brake cables provided are enough to do the job. They look good and preform well with minimal stretch. It also helps if you have a "housing/cable cutter" to make clean cuts on the stainless steel cables and covers.

The cable has a nylon type of insert tube inside for the cable to stay dry and clean. It is perfect for modifying original equipment. This method works great and is very fast. It is perfect to add a pop of color to accent or match your build.

Why We Like This:

Really nice and useful set of parts
Easily installed and work perfectlywith zero issues
Fits vintage schwinn collegate with minor alteration

Best For many cheaper bikes: Dhieong Road Bike Shifter Cable

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This inner bike cable set fits for mountain bikes, suitable for front or rear gear and brake. It includes 10 pieces of gear shift cables. The cables have a cylindrical or barrel shaped end with the cable connected at the cylinder end. They are really high quality and long enough to use in any application unlike some of the other packs.

The cable is made of stainless steel. It will cut down on corrosion and help the cables work better with your bikes. It includes larger mountain bikes and bikes with riser bars. Their length is enough for spare and replacement in daily life, you also can cut them easily to match well with your bikes.

Why We Like This:

Slide well, are properly sized and actually cut very well
Stainless steel strong slick cable for more shifting power and smooth operation
Good investment for long term

Best For Everyday riding: Shimano Road Bike Shifter Cable

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Shimano makes beautiful and great cable with classic and smartly choosen materials. This one is long enough with even a little extra length to spare. It provides smooth and reliable shifting for all the miles yet to come. The 32 mm thick cable provides smooth and reliable shifting for all the miles yet to come.

Why We Like This:

Good investment for long term
Lot of satisfied buyers

Best For Gear Shifter: CNC Road Bike Shifter Cable

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Cnc offers a variety of cable for personal choice and yet maintaining quality in all the variants. The Gear Shifter Cable meets any of your needs, professional polished stainless steel, high precision grinding,1.2 x2100/2500/3000/3500mm, corrosion resistant and durable,gold. It is suitable for mountain bike, road bike, folding bike, mtb, mtn and gravel bike.

The Gear Shifter Cable is Professional Polished Stainless Steel, High precision grinding,which eliminates the flake coating, making it smoother, with less friction, and the shifting is smoother and more precise. The package includes one cable and one end-crimp.

Why We Like This:

Bicycle shifter cable pro slick polished process, high precision grinding
Moisture resistant, wear resistant, corrosion resistant
High quality material, polished, high precision grinding process

Best For Mountain Bike: CNC Bike Shift Cable

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Compared with other cable in this category, the cnc bike shift cable has a convenient design. The Gear Shifter cable meets any of your needs, professional polished stainless steel, high precision grinding,1.2 x2100/2500/3000/3500mm, corrosion resistant and durable,gold. It is suitable for mountain bike, road bike, folding bike, mtb, mtn and gravel bike.

The package includes one cable and one end-crimp. The Bicycle Shifter Cable Pro Slick Polished process, which eliminates the flake coating, making it smoother, with less friction, and the shifting is smoother and more precise.

Why We Like This:

Moisture resistant, wear resistant, corrosion resistant
High quality material, polished, high precision grinding process
Bicycle shifter cable pro slick polished process, high precision grinding
Derailleur cable compatible shimano/sram and compatible all performance housing and lubricants