Road Bike Cables and Housings
Our selection of Cables and Housings for road bikes includes derailleur cable and housing sets from Shimano and Jagwire, the Sram Slickwire brake kit, brake cables from Sram and derailleur cables from P2R, and end caps from Birzman, Var and Jagwire, for precise shifting and braking.
Precision starts with the cabling.
A key role
On a bike with a mechanical transmission, it’s the cables that transmit the action from the levers to the derailleurs and brake calipers, and the housings that guide them along the frame. Worn, dirty or poorly cut cabling can degrade the precision of gear changes and braking power. It's one of the simplest and most effective maintenance tasks to bring some liveliness back to your bike.
The transmission
The road transmission comes in various forms:
All of the transmission is grouped on the transmission page.
Two distinct uses
The brake cables, thicker, around one and a half millimetres, and the derailleur cables, thinner, around one point two millimetres, are not interchangeable, just like their housings: the derailleur housing, with longitudinal strands, doesn’t compress, allowing for precise shifting. Polished or coated stainless steel cables, like Sram Slickwire or kits from Jagwire and Shimano, slide better and last longer.
Step-by-step installation
Cables and housings are replaced about once a year, or as soon as shifting becomes hesitant. Cut the housing to the right length with suitable pliers, without crushing the end, and fit housing ends, like those from Var or Jagwire, then fit Birzman cable ends to prevent fraying. Finally, adjust the tension with the derailleur adjustment knob.
Great deals
Good deals can also be found in good deals, promotions, clearance, sales, Black Friday. The new arrivals showcase the latest collections, and items shipped within 24 hours are prepared and dispatched in 24 hours. The highlights of the year follow a steady order: Black Friday at the end of autumn, the holiday season, the winter sales, the French Days in spring, then the summer sales and back to school.
Frequently asked questions
When should you change your bike cables and housings?
Whenever gear changes become slow, the lever feels stiff, or braking loses effectiveness. On a heavily used bike, an annual replacement helps maintain transmission precision.
What’s the difference between brake housing and derailleur housing?
The brake housing, which is spiral, withstands the high tension from braking. The derailleur housing, with longitudinal strands, does not compress to ensure precise shifting. They are not interchangeable.
How to cut a housing cleanly?
Use a specific cable cutter, then straighten the end and reopen the interior passage with a punch. A well-fitted end prevents the housing from crushing and maintains precision.
What are housing ends for?
They protect the ends of the housing and ensure a neat fit in the frame and lever stops. The ends from Birzman, Var or Jagwire prevent fraying and guarantee precise transmission.
Should you lubricate bike cables?
A drop of light lubricant at the housing entrance improves the glide of standard cables. However, polymer-coated cables should be installed dry to preserve their coating.
