A type of flexible cable system used to transmit mechanical force or energy, consisting of an inner cable sliding within an outer housing. Commonly used in bicycles, motorcycles, and various mechanical applications.
Named after Ernest Monnington Bowden, a late 19th-century Irish inventor who patented this cable design. The system became widely adopted for bicycle brakes and gear mechanisms, revolutionizing mechanical control systems.
Bowden cables were crucial to the development of modern bicycles and motorcycles, allowing remote control of brakes and gears with smooth, reliable operation. The elegantly simple design of a cable-in-housing system solved complex engineering problems and remains largely unchanged today.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.