Inline Barrel Adjusters

Jon_1976
Jon_1976 Posts: 690
edited April 2013 in Workshop
I'm currently swapping the groupset on my bike, which has no frame mounted barrel adjusters so I need some inline ones. Would fitting just one (for the front mech) be ok and use the adjuster build into the rear mech? When I adjusted the rear mech on my Allez, I adjusted the down tube adjuster and mech mounted equally. Just want to make sure there is enough travel on the mech mounted adjusted to be alone.

Comments

  • antfly
    antfly Posts: 3,276
    Yes, you don't need one for the back. I have one just for the front too.
    Smarter than the average bear.
  • Jon_1976
    Jon_1976 Posts: 690
    Thanks mate, was just having a look on the web to see if it was possible not to use one for the front mech. It seems it is possible, although sounds a bit of trial and error, using the low limit screw to bring up the tension. Might give this method a go, as I've read in line can adjust themselves and not having one would give one less for water to ingress.
    Having said, if it is an arse I'll probably end up fitting one.
  • antfly
    antfly Posts: 3,276
    You might not need one if you can get your mech set up perfect, but then there is cable stretch to consider. Mine seemed to be very sensitive to tiny adjustments and the adjuster was the only way to do it, it has been very useful for me and easy to use on the fly. Without it there would have been times when I couldn't change gear.
    Smarter than the average bear.
  • Jon_1976
    Jon_1976 Posts: 690
    I'll try without one first, as it shouldn't be too difficult to retro fit one if needed. Thinking about it, the inner cable could be pushed/pulled back through the outer cable so it could be cut to fit an adjuster without having to resort to removing bar tape. I just reading things of them constantly loosening. I dont recall needing to fine tune the front mech on my Allez after the initial setup, even after 1250 miles. Maybe it wasn't sensitive to cable stretch. Rear mech needing tweaking now and then.
  • sungod
    sungod Posts: 17,541
    i'd just adjust and ride it a while so that outers, ferrules etc. have time to get fully seated, if it drifts far enough to need adjusting, put tension on the loose cable end, undo clamp, pull a bit more cable, re clamp, then it'll probably be ok long term

    my commute bike has no downtube adjusters, i did the above, it's been a couple of years without further adjustment
    my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny
  • acidstrato
    acidstrato Posts: 945
    I don't have any fitted to my gear cables on my best bike, just at the rear mech. due to the internal cabling I would have had to fit the mid cable which would have spoilt the look. Plus I hardly ever use them. once its set up and checked over after a couple rides its fine, its not gonna change mid ride
    Crafted in Italy apparantly
  • Bozman
    Bozman Posts: 2,518
    It'll be more of a pain to retro fit one rather than fitting one in the first place.....I'll tell you. It's a handy bit of adjustment for the front mech.