My new custom Croix der Fer was specced with Shimano 105 drive train but one thing that never crossed my mind was cable adjustment on the gears! There are no barrel adjusters on the levers so how does one fine tune them? Obviously there is the adjuster on the rear mech I could use but not on the front mech. Should they have inline adjusters?
Trevor.
Use the rear one; you shouldn't need to mess for a few months at a time. My top tip; when the shifting goes off a bit, replace the inner cable, they get gummed up quick on crossers.
Strange it was built up without barrel adjusters? Would imagine something like these will fix your problem.
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/jagwire-cable-adjusters-for-fixing-to-plain-frame-headtube-boss-prod24780/
If you have new 105 (5700) then the only solution is to fit on the downtube cable stops. If 5600 then you have the option to fit where the cables exit the sti's.
Having said all that, I've just built up a cross bike for No1 son with 105 (5700) without a barrel adjuster on the front mech ( due to top tube cable routing) and have managed to trim the mech - albeit a PITA!
[url= http://www.charliethebikemonger.com/ritchey-gear-cable-barrel-adjuster---fits-road-sti-shifters-1338-p.asp ]only £5.99 and post free[/url]
This is what we use when bikes are supplied a little half baked. We are constantly putting these on Spec'y tri-crosser's.
Saw those Ritchey ones but where do you put them? The routing on the new 105 is under the bar tape. The inline jag wire ones look sleeker? Being a mtb'er I never considered these things when speccing the bike up, what do 'roadies' do with their road bikes, do they all have inline adjusters? If needed then why don't Shimano supply them with the gears?
You very rarely need to adjust the front mech enough to warrant adjusters and the rear has an adjuster on the mech.
Sorted.
Oh yes. You will need inline if all the cables are under the tape.
The ones on the stock salsa Fargo are excellent. And fine tuning from the bars whilst riding is handy.
My focus cayo has adjusters on the downtube at the cable stops.
My focus mares has inline adjusters. They are right next to the lever and look a bit gash. Will probably move them when I put new cables on.
You should be fine without though. Front mechs aren't that sensitive IME, especially on a road bike where once it works its fine. XTR mechs don't have barrel adjuster, only the one on the shifter so if you only have one on the 105 mech then that should be sufficient.
apart from setting it up at the start i've never needed to touch a road front mech ever, you'll be just fine
My jake the snake came without (older 105) so when i recabled i put some inline ones in. work a treat.