Cable splitters make it much faster and easier to pack a bike and they are easy to use. You shouldn't have to make derailleur adjustmets if they were properly adjusted before the bike was packed. Most people will be able to use the normal procedures that are outlined in the first section of this page. If they don't provide enough cable slack for your liking, the second set of procedures will work better.
Normal procedures
Splitting the cables:
Move the front and rear derailleur shift levers to the position which has the least amount of tension on the cable (cable extended it's maximum amount).
Separate the splitters.
Reconnecting the cables:
Position the shift levers to allow the cable to extend it's maximum amount.
Reconnect the splitters.
If this procedure doesn't work for some reason, the procedure below will cause the cables to go completely slack which will make it very easy to separate or reconnect the splitters.
For extra cable slack, follow these procedures. (normally not required)
Splitting derailleur cables:
Front derailleur cable
Shift the chain to the largest chainring while turning the crank.
Stop turning the crank
Try to shift the derailleur shift lever to a smaller ring without turning the crank.
Since the crank isn't turning, the derailleur will hang up on the large chainring and the cable will go slack
Once the tension is off the cable, separate the cable at the splitter
Rear derailleur cable
Shift the chain to the largest cog while turning the crank.
Stop turning the crank
Try to shift the derailleur shift lever to the smallest cog without turning the crank.
Since the crank isn't turning, the derailleur will hang up on the large cog and the cable will go slack
Once the tension is off the cable, separate the cable at the splitter
Reconnecting derailleur cables:
Front derailleur cable
When a bike is assembled but before the cable splitter is connected, the front derailleur will naturally be on the small chain ring due to the spring inside of the derailleur..
Turn the crank while pushing directly on the derailleur with your finger to shift the chain to the large ring (be careful not to get your finger caught in the chain or other moving parts)
Stop turning the crank before releasing finger pressure.
The chain should stay on the large chainring once finger pressure is removed.
Position the derailleur shift lever to allow the cable to extend as far as possible.
Since the cable is now in it's maximum slack position, it should be easy to reconnect the cable splitter.
Rear derailleur cable
When a bike is assembled but before the cable splitter is connected, the rear derailleur will naturally be in the smallest cog due to the spring inside of the derailleur..
Turn the crank while pushing directly on the derailleur with your finger to shift the chain to the large cog (be careful not to get your finger caught in the chain or other moving parts)
Stop turning the crank before releasing finger pressure.
The chain should stay on the large cog once finger pressure is removed.
Position the derailleur shift lever to allow the cable to extend as far as possible.
Since the cable is now in it's maximum slack position, it should be easy to reconnect the cable splitter.
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