Detanglers

BMX Brake Detangler Buyer’s Guide

Tailwhips and barspins have revolutionized the world of BMX, not only in terms of what is possible on a bike, but also in terms of how the bikes themselves work. If you choose to throw bars and whips and don’t want to worry about a tangled brake cable, a detangler system is the way to go.

The image below depicts a complete detangler kit. When assembled, the detangler sits between the stem and the headtube. The part is made up of an upper and lower cup: the upper cup rotates with the handlebars, while the lower one stays with the frame. A detangler system requires either a split cable or two parallel cables running from the brake lever that feed into the upper cup, and two separate cables that run from the lower cup to the rear brake. In total, the system requires either four cables or two split cables. These days, many frames come with the necessary mounts for a detangler system, but be sure to check it out for yourself.

Things To Look For

Despite being a little more complicated than a traditional cable brake, detangler systems remain quite simple. The biggest performance factor is the bearing the two cups rotate on. Some detanglers use loose bearings, others use sealed bearings, and some models use teflon bearings. The second important thing to look for is the material used in the cups construction. If keeping total weight low is the goal, then choosing a detangler with aluminum cups is a good choice. Detanglers come in nearly every color, so choosing one that matches your bike is also something to keep in mind.

Types

Above is an image of a detangler alone. There is very little deviation from this basic design, consisting of two cups connected by a bearing. Thus, the different types are distinguishable only by the materials of the cups, their appearance, and the quality of the bearing. Basic detanglers are made of steel, whereas more expensive models are made from aluminum, which are lighter and come in an array of colors. There are three types of bearings used in detanglers: loose pack ball bearings commonly used in basic steel models, sealed bearings, and teflon bearings. Depending on the manufacturer’s preference, high quality detanglers use either sealed or teflon bearings. Both provide smooth performance and increased durability over the basic loose ball bearing system.

Materials

High quality detanglers are made of aluminum, and basic models use steel.

How Much To Spend

Detanglers start around $20 for an entry-level complete kit, which includes cables, plates, and the detangler itself. A top-of-the-line complete kit costs around $60. These kits use an aluminum detangler with sealed or teflon bearings and all aluminum hardware. The more expensive units benefit from lighter weight and smoother performance. Just the detangler itself, without the plates or cables, ranges in price from $20 to $60 dollars. As with the kits, higher priced detanglers use superior quality bearings and lightweight materials to keep weight down while delivering a more fluid function.

Product Reviews

Before buying, be sure to do your research and read product reviews. Reviews are a great way to find out specifics about a particular model, user impressions, and things to watch out for. After you’ve purchased a product and had enough time to thoroughly test it, we encourage you to leave a review for other people to see when they are researching bikes and parts on the web.

We hope you’ve found this information to be helpful. If you have a question that isn’t answered in this guide, our BMX forums are a great place to get advice from knowledgeable riders. Your local bike shop is also a great resource.