Brake cables stretch and fray over time, which is why you replace them during routine maintenance even if they haven't snapped yet. The stainless steel construction resists corrosion from road spray and sweat, which extends service life compared to uncoated cables. This cable measures 1600 millimeters long, so it works for either front or rear brake installations on standard road bikes and time trial frames. The 1.6-millimeter diameter matches Campagnolo's specification for their brake systems.

The cable head is machined specifically for Campagnolo Ergopower and brake levers, which means it won't work with Shimano or SRAM systems—the head shapes are different and won't seat properly in non-Campagnolo lever housings. If you're running a Campagnolo drivetrain, you need Campagnolo cables. The double-wound stainless construction provides smooth pull through housing and maintains consistent tension during braking. The wire strands are wound tightly to resist unwinding at the cut end, which gives you more working time during installation before you need to cap the cable.

When you're setting up new cables, route them through the housing first, then make your final length cut. Leave enough extra to account for handlebar adjustments or stem changes down the road. Install a cable end cap immediately after cutting to prevent fraying—once the strands start separating, the cable becomes difficult to route through tight bends in the housing.