Canti Cable vs Gear Barrel Adjusters

As you can see from this pic, the Barrel adjuster mounts for the gears on my old Kaff are on the headtube. Other frame makers often stuck them further down the downtube which makes alot more sense...

The effect of this position is that I can't run both gears & canti without fouling the barell adjusters as the canti cable goes through them like cheese-wire if the handlebars twist around, not a problem while riding but quickly a problem at other times. As soon as the adjuster is "cut" shifting becomes a pain as tension is all messed up. Not a long term solution to carry spares and replace each time.

I found mini-v's a pain in the end, particularly regarding mudguard clearance so am keen to stick with Canti brakes.

So I can run the bike as geared not SS is there a simple bodge I can make? Perhaps:

1) no gear barrel adjuster at all? I think I tried this back in the day and the cable didn't sit right in the mounts

2) stronger barrel adjusters - anyone make something of solid construction that won't get cut through by the canti cable?

3) A turn limiter on the steerer? e.g. a doofer that'll stop the bars from swinging round too far.

4) Di2 (overkill, and out of budget)

in line adjuster?
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/m-part/micro-inline-gear-cable-tension-adjusters-pair-ec008188

Don't get it A. Thought you got it sorted? Cant you bin the cantis and bang some calipersonit. Add the housing to length yoi want

in line adjuster?
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/m-part/micro-inline-gear-cable-tension-adjusters-pair-ec008188

Cheers, yes can use for adjustment but tbh I'm more than happy to adjust tension at deraileurs whilst stationary, if necessary once setup.

It's more that with out barrell adjusters I don't think I could just sit the cable housing in the pictured mounts, meaning there's nowt for the housing to push on as the cable pulls.

Don't get it A. Thought you got it sorted? Cant you bin the cantis and bang some calipersonit. Add the housing to length yoi want

Nope, it's been liveable as riding around MCR SS is easy. We want to go further away now M is big enough to go in the seat, plus I'll be pulling a trailer with load at times.

So probable hills + heavy loads = need gears again.

The frame & fork isn't designed for caliper brakes, so it'd need some serious drilling on it and still no certainty that'd work out - mixed advice when someone asked here: https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=74295.0

Here's another's similar frustration from an STW post

I put cantis on mine, partly to avoid these issues - whenever I've seen pictures of any with mini-vs and proper mudguards I've wondered how there was enough clearance. I have to admit that cantis don't exactly go on perfectly though. You have to stick a hanger on the seat clamp at the back, and at the front the cable fouls the gear cables (because the braze-ons are on the headtube instead of the downtube) which can be annoying. Still a very nice bike to ride though, especially for the price.

Can the outer cable of the gears run straight through the cable guide on the head tube when the barrel adjusters are removed?

If so, you could get downtube mounted clip-on cable stops and have the outer cable adjusters there.

Unfortunately not, it tapers down to <3mm so too narrow for gear cable housing which is 4mm I think?

Interested in clip on cable stops though, got a link to any you'd recommend?

something on this page > http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/down-tube-stops-fittings-dept668_pg1/

Yes, that's the sort of thing. What you would need is a pair of these;

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/shimano-alloy-braze-on-down-tube-cable-stops-with-barrel-adjusters-prod5511/

And attach them to the down tube with this:

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/origin8-down-tube-shift-adapter-286-318mm-prod31401/

Or else buy an old pair of clip on down tube levers, Shimano or Campag, remove the levers and affix the adjusters in their place.

ta both, looks spot on!

good stuff.

fork mounted canti hanger would be a cheaper option - you run a brake outer down to it, should then clear the gear cables

Again, thanks. Do you have a link to one you'd recommend?

I guess something like this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tektro-Fork-Mounted-Brake-Cable-Hanger-for-Cyclocross-TK-1277A-K-/370954055588
But it needs a drilled fork crown? Is yours drilled?

well reminded, fork not drilled up front.

Health warning on the adapter for the cable stops:

Tempted to ask manufacturer for more details!

looks solid enough: