It is a huge problem packing my bike for races that requiring flying. I would really like to be able to disconnect the aero bar completely and pack separately. I am in the process of adding di2 and doing it such that the wires can easily be disconnected.
I just now need to have a way to disconnect the rear brake. Do they make something like an inline device that would allow you to disconnect a brake cable. Something like an inline barrel adjuster but it actually allowed you to disconnect the cable. It would seem that this could be possible.
I did some searching but could not find anything.
Also, if there is something how well does it work?
That right angle bend is a set screw to clamp the cable which enters the bottom. The other cable enters the top and the device screws apart in the middle to separate
Can most barrel adjusters also be used as a quick disconnect? Can they basically be unscrewed into two pieces? I use to have one on my P4 but when LBS rebuilt it they did not put one back on.
If I’m understanding correctly, no because the cable is not independently attached to each side of the barrel adjuster (the cable isn’t cut), the adjuster just effectively lengthens the housing to make the cable tighter after the barrel adjuster. I think those ritchey things are a bit pointless if you can reattach dérailleur and brake cables and tune the bike quickly like I can. Additionally, they won’t work if the housing goes completely to the brake or derailleur which is very common with internally routed cables on modern bikes.
Thanks! I thought it might actually allow the inner wire to be two pieces.
I am going to di2 for the shifting and front brake is not as big of an issue. But wiring the rear brake on a P4 is a pretty big hassle at a race.
But I really want to disconnect my aero bar and put it in my suitcase. I don’t like the richey quick disconnect as it looks to have a 90 degree bend in it.
I really am looking for something very simple. Basically a piece of metal that will connect two wires together securely.
The ritchey connects a cable to another one, you need 2 cables with those ball ends, there is no 90 degree bend, thats the slot for a pinch screw that secures the free end of the first cable, just like you pinch it on the derailleur. The main caveat is that you have to have a length of cable exposed, this was common in earlier bikes where the cables ran exposed down the down tube, but the housing runs the whole way now in many internally routed bikes, even if it didn’t, like in the newer trek madones, there is no way to get to the exposed cable anyway, its in the frame. On my specialized transition, the rear brake has housing the whole way, from brake lever to brake, I imagine the p4 is the same. Ideally you would like to have a break in the housing and cable up before it goes into the frame by the aerobars. I had a discussion with a friend about this and we think its possible to build but you would need about a 2 inches cable stopped “scaffolding piece” which allows you access to the cable to break and re-attach it while also allowing it to move when you shift or in this case brake.
Its actually really easy for me to reroute the brake cable after taking the aerobar completely off, there is a hole near the stem which is goes in and comes out a hole in the downtube, takes about 10 seconds to re attach, is the p4 that much more complex?
This might be a shot in the dark (in the wrong direction) but what about something like a rc turnbuckle/tie rod assembly? Cable to the brake attaches to one end, other end attached to the brake lever cable… disconnect the two via the tie rod. Don’t know how strong it would be but when I was helping my nephew build his rc truck they were made of aluminum.
I use these on my QR Santo. They are very simple & work well.
DaVinci - Easy-Split In-Line Cable Separators
These clever devices allow you to easily separate your brake and derailleur cables when disassembling a S&S Coupled bike. Available for either shift or brake cables. Includes a shift or brake cable. Manufacturer: DaVinci Product Notes:
Installation: Cut your existing cable where you want the Easy-Split installed, at least 2" from any cable-stop or guide. Discard the rear section of cable. Unthread the two halves of the Easy-Split from each other. Insert the cut end of your cable into the “A” half of the Easy-Split so that it is flush with the end. Tighten both set screws. Insert a new cable (now included) into the “B” half of the Easy-Split. Reconnect the two halves of the Easy-Split. Reinstall the back half of your cable and adjust as you would any derailleur or brake.
Those are the same as those ritchey splitters. The problem, at least with this persons p4, is the fact that there is no exposed cable from the brake lever to the brake caliper, its all in housing.