Originally Posted by
kevmk81
Stupid question... does the cable tension change depending on which gear you are in? Or should it be the same?
The cable tension is provided by the spring in the derailleur; it will vary depending upon which gear it has selected; it has more tension the farther you pull it, just like any other spring.
The so-called "tension" adjustment provided by barrel adjusters and the like is actually a cable length adjustment or more accurately a cable housing length adjustment, which sets the relative position of the derailleur vs the shifter index "clicks".