Chris_F

This probably seems like a trivial question:

I'm going to re-cable my road bike in preparation for the riding season and I want to replace the deraileur cable adjuster knob thingies (don't know the official name). I have a Shimano drivetrain and the two knobs that are on the bike don't adjust when there's any tension at all on the cable (I need to stop pedaling, shift to releive tension, then they sometimes work). I'd like to get some adjusters that will adjust the deraileur while there is tension on the cable. I've checked Jensen but I don't know what to look for since a search of their cable section turned up zip.

Is there such a thing as a cable adjuster that works under tension?

55/Rad

This style works better under tension - probably because it is bigger and its easier to get a grip and torque it.

RazorWind

The symptoms you describe sound like what I experienced when my rear derailleur cable frayed inside one of the housings. Are you sure you don't have something like that going on?

Chris_F

It's funny, that's the kind I have now, but when the cables are under tension and I turn them the housing turns with the adjuster and it doesn't adjust. Am I doing something wrong? Any tips?

Chris_F

No, I'll have to check. I don't have any signs of issues other than the adjusters not adjusting, but they haven't worked (or they've worked the same) since the bike was new.

Retro Grouch 

He didn't say how much adjusting he's finding it necesssary to do. I'll agree, however, that if you find yourself making frequent cable tension adjustments, there's probably something wrong. My experience is one adjustment on a new or newly refurbished bike is common, two are rarely needed. If you're doing more than that, it's time to start looking for why.

rogerstg

In line adjusters often don't work under tension because the ferrule spins on the cable housing as the adjuster is turned. A tiny bit of super glue applied at the ferrule/housing junction usually solves it.

Chris_F

It's a tripple so the front der is touchy. I'd say I'm adjusting it maybe once every two to three weeks, by 1/4 turn or so. I don't need to adjust every ride, and it's usually just a little tweak.