Cable splitter FAIL

[Kitty Goursolle]

IDK how this could happen...but in rando, just about any part on a bike can fail. On my Satuday night 200k, all was well, mechanically, until it wasn't.  On a very narrow segment of  bike path*,  I used a bit of rear brake, and NOTHING. Stopped to see, and saw that the cable splitter had become completly unscrewed. I have no idea how this can happen, but maybe over time and with vibration it slowly loosened. Put it back and adjusted the brake and aill is well once again. 

Lesson learned -- be sure all 3 splitters on the bike are fully tightened before riding. Mine is a  Ritchey Breakaway, probably should do the same on any S/S coupled bikes as well. I thought of putting Loctite on the splitter threads. Will do next time i disasemble the bike...for PBP '27.

* The Solano Bikeway, between Vallejo and Fairfield in NorCal. Trail need a lot more work, folloiwng closure by a landslide last winter. It has weeds growing up between the cracks everywhere and is a trashy mess at the Vallejo end of the path. But, it remains the best way between the two cities by bike. At least the landslide was partially cleared, allowing for single file bikes to pass. Sad to see this trail so sorely neglected. Next winter's rains will surely push the landslide back onto the trail. 

[Bill Bryant]

Kitty,

I wouldn’t advise using Loctite on your splitters. I use the Ritchey cable splitters too and have found they work well and don’t come apart unduly. However, my bike gets an overhaul every year in January, and even if I didn’t use the splitters for travel in the previous year, I still open them up and close them, to check that they are (1) still tight, or (2) not getting corroded and stuck together! (I also put a drop of oil on the threads when I first install them to keep corrosion at bay.) I don’t carry pliers on my bike, so if I used Loctite, I’d worry my fingers wouldn’t get them apart. In any case, maybe just mark your calendar to go check your splitters if you’re not traveling and checking them then.

Thanks for the intel about the Solano bike path, it sounds horrible. But as you say, probably still the best way to traverse that section of the county. 

Bill Bryant

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[Bill Gobie]

I agree, don't use threadlocker. My DaVinci splitters get very stiff when I've not separated them in a while. I've never had one unscrew. 

If that brake cable is not under a bit of tension then I suppose the splitter could unscrew, like the nipple on an under-tensioned spoke.

Bill

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[Dave Thompson]

The only issue that I've had with these splitters is on a bicycle where the splitters hadn't been removed from the cables for a long time and the set screw was frozen, no amount of penetrating oil would free it up.  I ended up drilling out the set screw and purchasing a set of replacement splitters.  

Dave.

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[Robert Sexton]

I haven't had problems with my Ritchey cable splitters coming apart.    I've had more problems with them getting stuck or difficult to open/close.   I've been doing better with that since I started putting anti-seize compound on the threads.

- Robert

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Robert Sexton

[ken jessett]

Having packed my bike away for an overseas flight, I've ended up with a very big and very unwieldy box, so is a Richey break-a-way the answer? 

I've seen the Richey video showing the bike being packed away so I reckon if I bought one I should be good to unpack and re-assemble the bike at the other end, but I was wondering about others experience with the Richey.

Ken J.

[Jake Kassen]

> bike at the other end, but I was wondering about others experience
> with the Richey.

I was on the Cascade 1200k in 2008 when I saw another rider with an orange break-a-away frame. I knew at first sight I needed to get one. :)

I have the steel Cross (orange) frameset and have used it on dozens of trips over the past ~15 years. It's the poor man's S&S coupled bike. In many ways the seatpost as the joint is preferable to S&S although the downtube clamp isn't as good.

I think the frame is great. It's comfortable and hearty but not heavy. Makes a great Rando/adventure bike. It uses all standard parts minus the coupling clamp itself. I got a spare clamp as they are cheap but I've not had to use it yet. I like the fact no custom wrench is needed, unlike S&S.

My only dream change would be to have a slit in the rear triangle so I wouldn't need to break the chain. This is how belt driven drivetrain bikes work.

It takes about an hour+ to get it from the bag to bike and another hour going the opposite way. I've gotten pretty slack about packing it and it has the transit scares to show. Emily (Dill Pickle Gear) made a custom backpack case for it which is similar to the S&S backpack, but nicer. The frame comes with a travel case which is fine but doesn't collapse so it's not useful for the types of trips I use it for. I've never been charged an airline bike fee.

I know the SRAM AXS/etap system is somewhat controversial among randonneurs but having a travel bike that uses a wireless 1x drivetain is *great*. Makes it much quicker to assemble and pack. I use wireless blips positioned under the non-shifting brake levers -- I really like the position for shifting.

So that's my quick review. I now have a frame with S&S couplers too but I'll still use the Ritchey on trips and wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

Jake

[ken jessett]

Thanks for that. I have watched the video showing how to break down and re-assemble the Richey and it all seems pretty straightforward. 

All in all, though, I think rather than buy yet another bike for $5,000+ I should stick with what I have.

I travel with my carbon bike maybe twice a year, and though the bike box is somewhat unwieldy it does have wheels and it flies free, and there is something about leaving with the bike you came with.

Ken

[ken jessett]

Here's another alternative for a folding bike popular with UK tourists and Audax riders easy to pack and carry: https://airnimal.co/products/chameleon/performance-sport/

Not too pricey - over there at 2,400 quid. I reckon one could buy it here, pick it up there and go ride LEL or whatever.

[Jacques Bilinski]

My only dream change would be to have a slit in the rear triangle so I wouldn't need to break the chain. This is how belt driven drivetrain bikes work.

I don't break the chain when I travel with my separable bike (a Moulton). I wrap it in plastic wrap and but tape around it.