Best Bike Cables for Mountain Bikes of 2025

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Bike cables are an integral part of any mountain bike, as they are responsible for transmitting the rider's input to the brakes and gears. These cables are made from high-quality materials to ensure optimal performance and durability, even in harsh riding conditions. Mountain bike cables come in a range of sizes and styles to fit different bikes and riding preferences. Whether you're a casual rider or a seasoned pro, investing in quality bike cables can improve your overall riding experience and keep your bike operating smoothly.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Bike Cables for Mountain Bikes
Universal Bicycle Shift Derailleur Cable and Brake Cable Kit
This kit includes a universal set of bike shift derailleur cable and brake cable made of durable PVC and stainless steel material. The variable speed cable set allows you to easily adjust the length to meet your needs, and the wear-resistant brake cables provide safety to the cyclist. The kit comes with ample quantity including O rings, tail ends, brake copper sleeves, and cable ferrules. This kit is applicable to mountain bike, road bike, small wheel bike, and foldable bike for maintenance cables.
Hapleby Premium Bike Shift Cable Kit
The Hapleby 10PCS Premium Bike Shift Cable Kit includes a set of 10 cables made with high standard zinc-coated material that provides corrosion resistance and durability. The kit comes with free O-rings, sheath ferrules, and end caps. The low-friction and strong slick cable provide smooth operation, making it suitable for speed control systems. The kit is widely used by professionals and fits most bikes such as MTB, road bikes, BMX bikes, folding bikes, and recreational cycling. However, it's essential to keep in mind that after installing new cables, users need to adjust the tension after some riding.
weideer Bicycle Cable Kit
The weideer Cable Kit includes a variety of cables and accessories to meet your biking needs. With 2 road bike brake cables, 2 mountain bike brake cables, 4 shift cables, and ample cable housing, this kit ensures smooth bike operation. The PVC and stainless steel construction of the cables and housing make them heat and rust-resistant, providing durability. The kit also includes end caps, O-rings, and copper sleeves to protect your bike from wear and tear. Suitable for various bike types, this kit is ideal for replacing or repairing bike cables.
Boao Bike Brake Gear Shifter Cable Kit
The Boao Bike Brake Gear Shifter Cable Kit, also known as the Boao Cable Kit, is a must-have accessory for any cyclist. Made with stainless steel strong PVC coated cable, this kit provides a smooth and wear-resistant experience, improving the speed and smoothness of your ride. The PVC material used in the construction of the cables ensures resistance to extreme weather conditions, making it suitable for all kinds of riding. With a 2-meter cable housing and variable speed cables, this kit is versatile and can be tailored to fit your bike's needs. The package includes everything you need for installation and replacement. Upgrade your bike with the Boao Cable Kit and enjoy a better riding experience.
Jagwire Mountain Pro Brake Cable Kit
The Jagwire Mountain Pro Brake Cable Kit is a high-performance cable kit designed for mountain bikes, compatible with SHIMANO & SRAM. The sleeve is fortified with Kevlar, making it highly effective and lightweight. The internal liner is pre-lubricated with slick-lube, reducing friction and improving the feel of braking.
Universal Bike Brake Cable Kit
This brake cable set includes 4 pieces of inner brake cables with a total length of 2.5m and 5mm thickness, suitable for both mountain and road bikes. The brake housing is made of strong PVC coat with stainless steel cable, providing smoothness and durability. It is wear-resistant and can sustain high cable tension forces without splitting, ensuring safety for the cyclist. This kit also comes with cable collars, cable ends, and O-rings, making it easy to maintain and upgrade your bike.
Jagwire Mountain Pro Brake Cable Kit
The Jagwire Brake Cable Kit is designed to enhance your mountain biking experience. Its Kevlar reinforced 5mm housing ensures a responsive brake lever feel, allowing you to stop precisely when you need to. The pro-level polished cables work seamlessly with Slick-Lube liners, providing improved braking performance. With a generous inner cable length of 1500mm for the front and 2800mm for the rear, installation is made easy for various bike setups. This kit is compatible with SRAM and Shimano mountain bikes, making it a versatile choice for any cyclist looking to upgrade their braking system.
Mecefeno Bike Brake Cable Kit
The Mecefeno Brake Cable Set includes ten durable brake cables, with five 1.4m cables for the front and five 2m cables for the rear. Made from high-quality zinc-coated materials, these cables are designed to resist wear and rust, ensuring smooth and safe braking. Installation is easy, allowing you to quickly replace your old cables while adjusting tension for optimal performance. Additionally, the cables can be cut to fit any bike, making them versatile for various types of bicycles, including mountain bikes and kids' bikes.
RISK Universal Bicycle Brake & Shift Derailleur Cable Set
The RISK Universal Bicycle Brake & Shift Derailleur Cable Set is a high-quality replacement cable kit for all types of bicycles. Made with durable materials, the housing cable features a PVC plastic layer that is resistant to low temperatures, intense heat, and tears. The stainless steel inner wire cable provides increased braking power and smooth operation. With sufficient cable length, you can easily cut them to fit your bike's needs. The set also includes aluminum end caps, 360-degree rotating S hooks, heat-shrink crimps, and a new design O Shape cable protector. Upgrade your bike's braking and shifting performance with the RISK Bike Cable Set.
Baby Flower Bike Brake Cables
The Baby Flower Bike Brake Cables are suitable for mountain bikes, road bikes, ordinary bicycles and karts. The brake cables are made of a new type of PVC material, which is heat-resistant and durable. The stainless steel cable provides greater braking force and smooth operation, and is not easy to damage. The package includes a pair of front and rear brake cables, and the length of the cables can be easily adjusted during installation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are all bicycle brake cables the same?
While brake and gear inner cables are nominally similar, the housings are different – brake cables use conventional 'helical' housing which consists of a tightly-wrapped helix of steel wire lined on both inside and outside by a plastic coating.
2. Can you use MTB brake cables on a road bike?
Both the housing and the inner wire by any name brand are different on road bikes and MTBs. And this is not just only the shape of the cable end, which makes it physically impossible to attach a road bike cable to an MTB lever. It's also in the structure of the inner wire and the cable.
3. Are all bike cables the same size?
The main difference that I am aware of is the diameter of the cable. Most brake cables are 1.5 or 1.6mm in diameter. Most shift cables are 1.1 or 1.2mm, galvanized shifter cables are 1.3mm.
During our bike cable for mountain bikes research, we found 24 bike cable for mountain bikes products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 30,556 customer reviews through our big data system to write the bike cables for mountain bikes list. We found that most customers choose bike cables for mountain bikes with an average price of $8.59.
The bike cables for mountain bikes are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of bike cables for mountain bikes, including Boao, Hapleby, weideer, Jagwire, Mecefeno. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 785 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

Jason Kiser is an editor who lives in California, he previously worked in a travel agency for ten years, which enabled him to travel a number of interesting countries and experience several different cultures along the way. His range of job and travel experiences grant him expertise in hiking, camping, outdoors and fitness.