What is MTB/roadbike specific in brake cables?

Asked by: Justin Unruh

Can you use MTB brake cables on a road bike?

MTB/Road brake cables are interchangeable and used for bikes with cable-activated brakes (rim brakes and non-hydraulic disc brakes).

Are all road bike brake cables the same?

Brake cables come in three standards, with the main difference being the size and shape of the end barrel: MTB – with a large barrel on one end. Road Shimano compatible – for Shimano and SRAM shifters. Road Campagnolo.

Is there a difference between brake cables and gear cables?

Gear cables are wound through particularly tight curves within the shifters too, which means there’s a lot of potential for wear. Brake cables normally have an easier time of it because their runs are straighter, but there’s much more force travelling through them.

Are all bike shift cables the same?

No, all shifter cables are not the same. If after inspecting your shifter cables, you discover they are frayed, bent, or rusted and need to be changed, you can’t just buy any shifter cable you see out there. Different bikes have different shifters, which determines the type of shifter cables to be used on them.

Are Shimano and SRAM cables the same?

Shimano designed their housing to be used with their polymer-coated cables and SRAM has a similar system. Otherwise, I use 4 and 5 mm polished stainless steel cables, often in 3,300 mm length since most bikes have internal routing nowadays.

What diameter is bicycle brake cable?

These are new galvanized steel brake inner cables – MTB – 78 inches, 1.6mm diameter. Sold in pairs.

Are road bike and mountain bike shift cables the same?

One major difference in MTB vs road BRAKE cable is the different sizes and styles of head: road cables have mushroom like ends where as MTB brake cables have barrel like ends. Shifter cable ends are the same.

How often should I change brake cables?

Quote from video: And housing approximately every two to three years to keep your brakes functioning properly I like to perform preventive maintenance before have problems prevention is the name of the game.

What are bike brake cables called?

Bowden cable

A Bowden cable (/ˈboʊdən/ BOH-dən) is a type of flexible cable used to transmit mechanical force or energy by the movement of an inner cable relative to a hollow outer cable housing.

What is the end of a brake cable called?

Brake cables are commonly sold with two ends. The mushroom or teardrop end is for the drop bar style lever. The round or disc end is for the upright handlebar brake lever.

How long should bike cables be?

Some mechanics stick to a rule that the cables should be long enough so the bars can spin 180° before encountering resistance from the cables.

Can you use a Shimano cable for SRAM?

The SRAM rear derailleur (mech) will not work with a Shimano shifter as is; the cable pull and shift activation ratios are not the same between the two systems.

Do Shimano shifters come with cables?

While cables and housing are included in new shifter purchases, they are also sold in aftermarket kits.

How do you change a gear cable on a bike?

Quote from video: Cables. Take your new inner cable and thread it through the shifter. Putting it snugly into place thread. The first longer piece of outer cable on and lodge it into the correct place at the shifter.

Are all dropper post cables the same?

Most all dropper posts come in a variety of different options, most usually broken down between the seatpost diameter and the post’s travel. The seatpost diameter is the diameter of the post that gets inserted in to the frame, usually either 27.2mm, 30.9mm, 31.6mm, or 34.9mm.

Is there a difference between brake cable housing and shifter cable housing?

Brake housing consists of an inner liner, spirally wound stainless steel wire, and an outer plastic sheath. This design makes for good, consistent braking performance. Shift housing, similar to brake housing, uses steel surrounding an inner liner, and then coated in plastic to impede moisture infiltration.

How long should bike cables be?

Some mechanics stick to a rule that the cables should be long enough so the bars can spin 180° before encountering resistance from the cables.

How do you change a brake cable on a bike?

Quote from video: And its outer casing of its damaged. Step 3 undo locate the pinch bolt that clamps the cable. And do it with an allen key don't lose the piece of rubber that slides off the cable or the metal noodle.