Not sure I've tried with the cable detached, but I have tried putting the shifter all the way to the inner ring and then pulling on the cable with my hands and haven't been able to get it far enough outward.
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Bikes: 1996 Eddy Merckx Titanium EX, 1989/90 Colnago Super(issimo?) Piu(?), 1990 Concorde Aquila(hit by car while riding), others in build queue "when I get the time"