How to find the right Bike Brake Cables & Housing AI guide

Jagwire: Wide range of brake cable kits and housing colors.
Shimano: Reliable OEM brake cables and housing, including coated options.
SRAM: Supplies brake cable kits for its own and other levers.
Alligator: Budget to mid-range cables and housing.
Nokon: Segmented aluminum housing for long or tightly bent routing.
Clarks: Value brake cable kits.

Written by an AI model from its trained knowledge.

What the AI looks for in Bike Brake Cables & Housing

Cable head type: Road levers take a pear or mushroom head. Flat-bar levers take a barrel head. Many kits include a dual-ended cable that you cut to suit. The wrong head will not seat in the lever.
Brake vs shift cable: Brake inner cable is about 1.5 to 1.6 mm. Shift cable is about 1.1 to 1.2 mm and must not be used for brakes. Shift cable is too thin to handle braking loads safely.
Brake-specific housing: Use 5 mm, spiral-wound, lined brake housing. Never use longitudinal-strand shift housing for brakes. Shift housing can burst under braking force.
Cable finish: Polished stainless or polymer-coated cables give the smoothest feel. Pair them with lined housing. Lower friction gives better modulation and a lighter lever feel.
Ferrules and end caps: Use ferrules that match the housing diameter, plus crimp end caps on cut cable ends. Ferrules stop housing from compressing or splaying. End caps stop cable ends from fraying.

Yes, if the kit includes dual-ended cables or both head types. Check before you buy.