Bicycle Mechanics - Cable stop thingy?

I am planning to build up a new frame and started looking it over for the small parts I'm going to need before I get the process started.

I looked at the cable stops on the downtube and noticed threads inside the stops. My current road bike does not have these threads and the cable/housing just goes into the stops.

Now, for the stops on this new frame, can I use the same cable/housing or do I have to use one that uses the threads? Any particular name they are called (ie. cable stop adjustment barrels)?

Here's a pic from somebody elses bike (I wish it was mine)

http://i24.ebayimg.com/04/i/000/87/ab/dcfa_1.JPG


Are these adjusting barrels all the same? Or do I have to get it specifically from specialized?

Thanks!

Cool paint job!

Their just called down tube barrel adjusters. As long as they screw in and out of the braze-ons, they will work just fine. I like the ones like you have as they are mounted well forward on the down tube and, as a result, minimize any rubbing of the cable housings on the head tube.

TIP: If you have cable housings rubbing on your frame, go to an LBS that sells Cannondale and ask for some of the transparent frame stickys that Cannondale sends in the bike build kits. They send a pad with eight of these stickys with each bike and the most you ever use in a build is three. So, there are always extras. The three places that cable housings will rub (on a road bike) are:

- on either side of the head tube where the shifter cables will rub when you turn the wheel.
- where the rear brake cable exits the top tube braze-on and bends down to the caliper. When you squeeze the rear brake lever, that piece of cable housing will flex and rub against the frame.

Just make sure you clean the paint with a little rubbing alcohol before you press these on and they will stay there for good and protect your paint job.

A couple of more comments ...

If you buy a Shimano shifter set it will include a pair of barrel adjusters for the down tube. That being said, there is no guarantee that they will be compatible with the braze-ons that you will have on your frame. It's a good idea to contact the frame maker and ask exactly what you need for barrel adjusters.

When you install them, do yourself a favor and use some light grease on the threads. They will work a LOT easier if you do.

I'm planning on using the shifter/derailleur from the current and putting on this frame which is why I don't have any of those adjusters. Are these really necessary since there are already adjuster barrels on the shifters and derailleurs?
I'll have to call specialized and aske them what barrels are compatible.

I'm planning on using the shifter/derailleur from the current and putting on this frame which is why I don't have any of those adjusters. Are these really necessary since there are already adjuster barrels on the shifters and derailleurs?
I'll have to call specialized and aske them what barrels are compatible.

You should be able to get barrel adjusters at any LBS. FWIW, the barrel adjusters that are on the shifters themselves tend to be very hard to use.

I'm planning on using the shifter/derailleur from the current and putting on this frame which is why I don't have any of those adjusters. Are these really necessary since there are already adjuster barrels on the shifters and derailleurs?
I'll have to call specialized and aske them what barrels are compatible.

It's sometimes easier (well most of the time) to adjust the dérailleurs operation while actually riding. With my meat fingered hands, I find it difficult to turn those adjusted on the downtube. I much prefer using something like a Jagwire in-line adjuster.

http://www.biketiresdirect.com/productdetail.asp?p=JBBAJ&tnum=3188677&c=4249098&ref=pd

TIP: If you have cable housings rubbing on your frame, go to an LBS that sells Cannondale and ask for some of the transparent frame stickys that Cannondale sends in the bike build kits. They send a pad with eight of these stickys with each bike and the most you ever use in a build is three. So, there are always extras. The three places that cable housings will rub (on a road bike) are:

- on either side of the head tube where the shifter cables will rub when you turn the wheel.
- where the rear brake cable exits the top tube braze-on and bends down to the caliper. When you squeeze the rear brake lever, that piece of cable housing will flex and rub against the frame.


Very good to know now that I have a bald spot on my head tube where the the front disc brake cable with computer wire wrapped around it rubbed. Live and learn.

TIP: If you have cable housings rubbing on your frame, go to an LBS that sells Cannondale and ask for some of the transparent frame stickys that Cannondale sends in the bike build kits.

If you have trouble locating such an LBS, you can get a similar product at http://lizardskins.com/products/?type=road&product_line=chainstays&PHPSESSID=92f4090d7806f22b295020a707db076e and I definitely second the use of these if you want to protect that cool paint job. Just keep an eye on them because they do get worn, and you'll need to replace them occasionally.