The problem with low-end bike brake cable cutters these days is that they cut the cable but not in a perfect way. You can still see the wires getting edgy, or sometimes it gets too bent.
What’s worse, some cable cutters do not even come with a good grip. It may slip out of your hands. And if it doesn’t have much strength, why would you even use it? We’ve come up with reviews that will guide you to the best bike brake cable cutter.
No, we’re not talking about the typical cutter. Better grip, chrome coating, greater strength, you name it, these cable cutters have got everything you need. So why wait? Let’s get to the reviews.
A Quick Glance at Our Favourites
- Alloy Steel Body
- Cold Forged
- 4.5 x 1 x 9.25 inches
- Built-in Crimper
- P-Inch end caps
- Latch handle
- Perfect for Cycling
- Comfort handles
- Multi-colored
- Highest quality
- Housing cutting
- Trusted brand
7 Best Bike Cable Cutter Reviews
Tired of searching for the right pair of cutters to get rid of those pesky wires? Well, your search has come to a happy end! See how you like our list of top 7 cable cutters for bikes, with all of them boasting some amazing features.
1. Park Tool CN-10 Bicycle Cable Cutter
We kick off our review with the CN 10 from Park Tool. This specially designed cable cutter is perfect for cutting all sorts of bike cables.
This product is also streamlined to cut through housings, including brake housing, and shift housings. Moreover, it possesses excellent and unmatched cutting strength.
This is due to the fact that it is made of cold-forged steel and has been especially hard-treated and processed for durability and endurance.
With precision jaws, you can cut through any cable with pinpoint accuracy and yield clean and smooth cuts. When working with cables, this is important, as you do not want any excess cable to be left over or more of it to be chopped off than needed.
To hold housing ends, the crimper has been added to the cutter. This holds the cable in place and allows you to make the cut. Furthermore, the uniquely designed latch does a pretty good job of holding the handles when the tool is not in use.
This is more of a safety feature and prevents others from mishandling the tool.
Pros
- Can cut through all types of bicycle wires
- Has enhanced strength due to being cold forged
- Cuts through cables very smoothly
- Safety feature to hold handles in place when not in use
Cons
- Can cut through hydraulic brakes
2. SHIMANO TL-CT12 Cable Cutter
The SHIMANO cable cutter is a one-size cutter that has been made by one of the foremost bike companies known today; Shimano. With its smart construction, this tool is what you have been looking for.
Weighing in at 5.6 ounces, this product is constructed with carbon steel and coated with a layer of chrome plate. This adds a new layer or dimension of strength when compared to other tools of similar sizes.
With much stronger and refined edges, this cable cutter is a prime example of quality engineering. It can cut through cables like butter, and the edges retain their sharpness for months, even after prolonged use.
The handles have been specially placed and designed to induce comfort. Being comfortable to hold and use, you will no longer experience any discomfort when using this bike cable cutting tool.
Finally, the latch handles are also in place to lock the handles when the tool is not being used. This prevents anyone from using it the wrong way and prevents young children from falling prey to the sharp edges.
Pros
- Handles designed for better grip
- Latch allows for a locking mechanism
- Coated with chrome for better strength
- Has a needle to work on the housing in case of reshaping
Cons
- Comes in a single size only
3. Jagwire Pro Cable Crimper & Cutter
A widely used tool by the professional, Jagwire brings you one of their most highly rated bike cable cutter and crimper.
First off, the blades are particularly noteworthy and are made from toughened SK5 steel. This is made specifically to cut through the most delicate inner cables.
With the crimper, this product has another advantage. The blades contract simultaneously, and thus they provide full use of all three sharp blades. When working on wires, this is quite a beneficial feature.
If you want to remove clips that have previously been set and are now proving difficult to remove, you can do that as well. The arm cutout of this product is a nifty feature allowing you to deal with stubborn old pins.
Finally, the closure hook is there for better storage. It reduces the overall space needed by the tool and makes it easy for you to fit in the toolbox.
Pros
- Easy to use and handled
- Made of durable grade steel
- All three blades can be used in tandem
- Can also remove old pins
Cons
- Needs a bit of force to operate
4. Pedro’s Bicycle Cable Cutter
For years, Pedros has been making brake cable cutters of refined quality. Their 2.2lbs cutter is one for keeping.
Measuring 11 x 4 x 1 inch, this product is just right for the job. Made of heat-treated steel of the highest grade, it is a highly durable product, capable of exerting great cutting force.
Furthermore, this is crucial because you can use it for tough applications, such as cutting through brake cables, wires, housings, and more. This makes it a highly versatile tool to have in your toolbox.
It is predominantly recommended for use on bike wires. This is where it shines the most and delivers the optimal level of performance.
With a stable grip, you can work with it for hours on end and not feel even the slightest discomfort in your hands. The handles are placed at an angle that prevents discomfort, and thereby allows user flexibility.
Pros
- Neatly designed handle
- Made of tough steel
- Ideal for all types of bicycles
- Low in weight.
Cons
- Does not come with a handle latch
5. Zoostliss Stainless Steel Wire Rope
This is a highly sought-after and durable cutter, one of the best Zoostlist has to offer, and it does a pretty solid job too.
It is primarily designed to deal with any type of steel wire up to 5/32’’. With the coated steel surface, it is made for hardened use and can outlast other cutters of similar build.
With smooth yet very sharp blades, it does not smash the ends of a cable. Rather, it provides more cutting speed and enables very precise cuts to be made.
The spring inside acts as a very good force transmitter. It allows you to use the product with one hand only. Furthermore, if you want to deal with difficult wire-like fencing and barbed wires, this product can do the job splendidly.
Pros
- Easy to use due to internal spring
- Can be operated with one hand
- Can cut through wires with more thickness
- Coated with a steel layer to induce durability
Cons
- Available only in one size
6. Muzata Stainless Steel Cable Cutter
A fine cable cutter for a range of wires, Muzata delivers their premium bike cable crimper and cutter for all interested customers.
One of the main types of cables it can cut is power cables, which are very tricky to cut otherwise. Since they are made of aluminum, this product can cut through those cables with ease.
Used for railing installation as well, this tool is highly streamlined to cut through even the toughest steel wires. Furthermore, if you are dealing with troublesome fencing, then this cutter has got your back!
It can cut through tough cables on fencing as smoothly as it cuts through power cables.
With dual CR-V steel blades, the blades pack more than a punch. Chrome and steel combine to yield the ultimate blade and provide immense durability, which is quite long-lasting.
Pros
- Able to cut power cables
- Good for railing setup
- Made of steel alloy for greater strength
- Can be used to eliminate fencing
Cons
- Needs a bit more force to operate
7. Cal Hawk Tools CPLWC8 7.5″ Wire Cutter
Our final product for today is the CPLWC8 from Cal Hawk tools. This pair of cutters provide the perfect finish to our review section.
With a steel-crafted blade, this product is perfect for cutting through all types of bike wires and cables, which it is designed for.
With a weight of 1.5 lbs, it is rather light to hold and thus can be used very easily. It is also easy to carry around, and you can take it with you for work, anywhere, and anytime.
Boasting a smart-looking handle and frame, it is what every tool owner is looking for. The good grip and solid frame add to the already stability of the overall design, making it look quite powerful.
Pros
- Can cut through barbed wires
- Low in weight
- Is portable and easy to use
- Made of toughened steel
Cons
- None found
What to Look for in Bike Cable Cutters
Since we are done with the reviews, it is time to go a bit into details. Our buying guide for the best bike cable cutter will cover a few key aspects you should be on the lookout for.
Material
The cutter will need to be strong, and without a strong and tough material, it will break or will not even function properly. When it comes to choosing the right material, there are a few contenders that come to mind.
Steel
Steel is one of the toughest and most durable materials out there, and you will see that a lot of handy tools are made of steel. Moreover, steel does not break easily and has immense resistance to cracking.
Hence, it is one material you could look out for.
Steel Alloys
Another material worth looking out for is steel-based alloys. Now alloys are mixtures of two or more metals or compounds. Steel alloys are typically mixed with chromium to form a very tough compound.
This is also a good choice for the cutter material.
Firm Grip
More often than not, your hands will get sweaty and slip. When this happens, it is important to make sure your grip is stable the next time you use the cutter.
A cutter with a good grip will prevent hand slippage, thereby preventing the risks of accidents.
The best grips are made of rubber and should be searched for when buying the cutter.
Versatile
We believe that bike wire cutters should be versatile. By this, we mean the cutter should be able to cut not just bike wires or brake wires but also cables, fences, and other types of wire.
Versatility is a great feature to possess for any hand tool, and it means you can use the tools elsewhere as well and for other tasks too.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
You can cut all sorts of wires, including steel, bronze, aluminum, copper, and more. SOne wire cutters can also cut many other types of materials and wires, but these are the most common materials that can be cut.
If you are looking for a bike cable cutter alternative, then you could try blades, such as a hacksaw. But, such tools are a bit harder to use than cutters.
That depends on how careful you are. Every tool has a risk factor involved, but that risk element is multiplied if you are not careful.
A cable cutter is no different. Be careful with your fingers, and you should be good to go.
Do not get it wet, and avoid keeping it in places with a lot of moisture. Also, lubricate the joints periodically to keep things smooth.
Generally no. But some states may have different regulations, so it is better to consult with the higher authorities of the area you live in.
Final Words
Finding the best bike brake cable cutter can be a tough call for you; keeping the following few things in mind will help you out.
The cable cutter should have great strength. You can take something that’s made of steel or steel alloy. Now, greater strength doesn’t mean you have to go for a cable cutter that’s heavy. So, whatever you buy, go for something lightweight.
Read More:
Designed specifically for bicycle housing and cables, the Park Tool CN-10 Professional Cable Cutter is what you need for your two-wheeled buddies. This cutter can trim brake housing and hard-to-cut shift housing on your bicycles. It has heat-treated and cold-forged handles, which are strong enough to snap bicycle wires.
Compared to other cable cutters, I think this one is pricey. I used to have a less effective one at a lower cost. But I don’t believe it would have been this expensive had it been as good as the CN-10.
I tried using this Park Tool CN-10 Pro Cable Cutter Tool to trim the brake housing, and it did a good job. The Park Tool CN10 may also be the top-rated cable cutter because it’s very sharp, strong enough for cutting bicycle wires. It has two functions – crimper and cutter – and features a wire latch for securing the handles. It comes with a precise cutting jaw for seamless cuts. In addition, it also has a wire latch which keeps the handles together.