Detangler
Encyclopedia
The detangler or rotor is an invention for the Freestyle BMX
bicycle, allowing the handlebars to turn a complete 360° rotation without the brake cables
getting tangled up. It is commonly called the Gyro. The trademark for the term Gyro is owned by Odyssey BMX, of Cerritos, California. SST oryg is another common manufacturer of detangler systems.
A detangler is usually only used for the rear brake. The front brake cable can be routed through the stem
, via a hollow stem bolt known as a Pott's mod bolt, and fork steer tube
to avoid the tangling problem.
from the rear brake lever is split into two separate cables which are routed to opposite sides of the stem
or fork steer tube and into cable stops. The inner cables continue to connect to a metal disc that sits around the stem or steer tube. Squeezing the brake lever causes this disk to rise. A second disc is suspended directly below the first with a set of ball bearings
so that they rise together and that either disc is able to rotate freely about the other. A second set of cable are attached to this lower disk and pass through cable stops mounted on the either side of the head tube. The two cables merge back into one cable and then are routed to the rear brake. The cables are split in this way to ensure that the detangler mechanism moves equally on both sides.
A simpler, less common variation of the system, termed a "dual cables" brake, does away with the splitters for the upper and lower cables, instead simply running two cables from the brake lever to the detangler and from there to the brake. While this may improve reliability, it may need more maintenance.
Freestyle BMX
Freestyle BMX is a synonym for BMX stunt riding, a sport branch that hails from extreme sports. It consists of six disciplines: street, park, vert, trails, dirt and flatland .-History:...
bicycle, allowing the handlebars to turn a complete 360° rotation without the brake cables
Bowden cable
A Bowden cable is a type of flexible cable used to transmit mechanical force or energy by the movement of an inner cable relative to a hollow outer cable housing...
getting tangled up. It is commonly called the Gyro. The trademark for the term Gyro is owned by Odyssey BMX, of Cerritos, California. SST oryg is another common manufacturer of detangler systems.
A detangler is usually only used for the rear brake. The front brake cable can be routed through the stem
Stem (bicycle part)
The stem is the component on a bicycle that connects the handlebars to the steerer tube of the bicycle fork. Sometimes called a goose neck, a stem's design belongs to either a quill or threadless system, and each system is compatible with respective headset and fork designs:-Quill vs...
, via a hollow stem bolt known as a Pott's mod bolt, and fork steer tube
Bicycle fork
A bicycle fork is the portion of a bicycle that holds the front wheel and allows the rider to steer and balance the bicycle. A fork consists of two fork ends which hold the front wheel axle, two blades which join at a fork crown, and a steerer or steering tube to which the handlebars attach ...
to avoid the tangling problem.
How it works
The single cableBowden cable
A Bowden cable is a type of flexible cable used to transmit mechanical force or energy by the movement of an inner cable relative to a hollow outer cable housing...
from the rear brake lever is split into two separate cables which are routed to opposite sides of the stem
Stem (bicycle part)
The stem is the component on a bicycle that connects the handlebars to the steerer tube of the bicycle fork. Sometimes called a goose neck, a stem's design belongs to either a quill or threadless system, and each system is compatible with respective headset and fork designs:-Quill vs...
or fork steer tube and into cable stops. The inner cables continue to connect to a metal disc that sits around the stem or steer tube. Squeezing the brake lever causes this disk to rise. A second disc is suspended directly below the first with a set of ball bearings
Ball bearing
A ball bearing is a type of rolling-element bearing that uses balls to maintain the separation between the bearing races.The purpose of a ball bearing is to reduce rotational friction and support radial and axial loads. It achieves this by using at least two races to contain the balls and transmit...
so that they rise together and that either disc is able to rotate freely about the other. A second set of cable are attached to this lower disk and pass through cable stops mounted on the either side of the head tube. The two cables merge back into one cable and then are routed to the rear brake. The cables are split in this way to ensure that the detangler mechanism moves equally on both sides.
A simpler, less common variation of the system, termed a "dual cables" brake, does away with the splitters for the upper and lower cables, instead simply running two cables from the brake lever to the detangler and from there to the brake. While this may improve reliability, it may need more maintenance.
Advantages
- Cables do not get tangled which allows bike tricks such as the tailwhipTailwhipThe tailwhip is a bike trick typically performed on a BMX, in which the frame of the bike performs a complete rotation around the front end , which remains stationary throughout the move...
or barspin to be performed.
- If a dual-cable setup is used, mechanical friction is reduced.
Disadvantages
- Harder to set up than a straight cable setup.
- More cables to lubricate.
- Dual cables decreases the flexing, but can give a rigid feel that some people do not like.
- It is slightly heavier and more expensive than a conventional configuration.