That pesky barrel adjuster

Disclaimer: These tips are for the blog author, pls seek professional instruction as this sport may be dangerous!


Almost looks like a barrel adjuster.....

It was very confusing to understand which-way-is-which and what-it-does so to say when turning a cable barrel adjuster (for front and rear derailleur).

First, clockwise and counterclockwise, how the heck do i grab a barrel adjuster so I can use the notion of clockwise and counterclockwise?

• Draw an imaginary arrow pointing FROM the cable and TO where barrel adjuster is attached to its main assembly. Grab the barrel in the direction of this arrow.
• Barrel adjuster does not simply pull the inner cable. This would be way too simple! It works by applying pressure (or relieving pressure) on the HOUSING.
• If the tug of war rope is the inner cable, the soil in which you dig your feet is the housing!
• When you turn the barrel adjuster clockwise you "screw the barrel into the main assembly" RELIEVING pressure on the housing which in turn LOOSENS inner cable.
• When you turn the barrel adjuster counterclockwise you "unscrew the barrel from the main assembly" COMPRESSING the housing which in turn TIGHTENS inner cable.

Once you understand the above poins you no longer need to think "it is opposite of what happens when you drive a screw into plywood" or "tightening the barrel adjuster means loosening the cable and the other way around". Hope it makes sense now!