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Or is there a foolproof way to do front road mechs with internal cable routing avoiding the dreaded in-line things?
I've never had one unwind.
I've used Shimano and I've used BBB. Once set up they are fine.
What makes you think it is unwinding?
The best way is to fit one of the new(ish) Shimano front mechs that have a built in mechanism for adjusting cable tension. Available in 105, ultegra and Dura ace versions.
That would be an alternative way but not the best.
Nothing beats on the fly adjusters when your mid ride and it's stretched just enough to chink the chain. Without stopping you rectify the noise quickly and easily without disturbing the flow of the group
Bring back down tube adjusters 😉
Best I've found are Token TK684 - close pitch thread and friction spring to stop them unwinding.
Token TK684 - I'll give them a go, thank you.
Avid, Jagwire and Shimano have not been impressive. always needing winding out after a few tens of miles.
Didn't realise they did this! Was sure I had got my front mech adjusted all nicely. Went out and chain was rubbing after a bit so readjusted it and was fine again. Assumed I had just forgotten to adjust it but perhaps it unwound.
I use the ritchey ones, although they replace a cable end cap so you either have to fit them to the downtube or use older external cable shifters. They've got a detent click in them. Added bonus over the newer shifters is you can adjust them without taking a hand off the hoods.