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Chain tension


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Poll: Chain tension (30 member(s) have cast votes)

How do you tension your chain on your SS?

  1. Sprung tensioner (6 votes [20.00%] - View)

    Percentage of vote: 20.00%

  2. Non-sprung tensioner (12 votes [40.00%] - View)

    Percentage of vote: 40.00%

  3. EBB (3 votes [10.00%] - View)

    Percentage of vote: 10.00%

  4. Horizontal dropouts (6 votes [20.00%] - View)

    Percentage of vote: 20.00%

  5. Sliding dropouts (2 votes [6.67%] - View)

    Percentage of vote: 6.67%

  6. Magic gear (1 votes [3.33%] - View)

    Percentage of vote: 3.33%

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#1 divernick

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Posted 16 January 2012 - 12:40

A litte SS poll for a Monday.

I use a magic gear with a new chain, but put my non-sprung tensioner (Gusset Bachelor) back once the chain starts to stretch.
Single Speed is all you need.....

#2 Mojoman

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Posted 16 January 2012 - 12:54

I used an old spoon, 'modified' it this weekend and lo and behold, it works!

#3 Hairy

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Posted 16 January 2012 - 01:08

Been using the DMR non-sprung tensioner, but can't use a SS or rather a BMX chain on there as the roller does not accommodate the width.

Is anybody using the FireEye Spur and a SS chain with success?

Posted Image
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”…Edmund Burke

#4 Hairy

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Posted 16 January 2012 - 01:10

Then a question for the EBB boys and girls.

Is there a marked difference in feel when you adjust your BB in relation to your saddle and seated position ... this should you have to move the EBB all the time to adjust tension should you change the sprocket.

H
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”…Edmund Burke

#5 Cycho

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Posted 16 January 2012 - 01:24

Been experimenting for a year, and still yet to find the ideal system. Custom tensioner is currently in the design phase, with the hopes of a prototype very shortly!
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#6 Flippa

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Posted 16 January 2012 - 01:31

I'm currently using the On-One Doofer and its mostly great. It has loosened up a little on a couple of occasions, but otherwise has worked well.

Its being replaced by a set of sliding dropouts, well when my frame arrives, eventually.....

#7 Dangle

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Posted 16 January 2012 - 01:44

View PostCycho, on 16 January 2012 - 01:24 , said:

Been experimenting for a year, and still yet to find the ideal system. Custom tensioner is currently in the design phase, with the hopes of a prototype very shortly!
Been experimenting for the past 5 years and found the ideal system.
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#8 Cycho

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Posted 16 January 2012 - 01:48

View PostDangle, on 16 January 2012 - 01:44 , said:

Been experimenting for the past 5 years and found the ideal system.

And what would that be? Plz share Posted Image
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#9 Hairy

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Posted 16 January 2012 - 01:50

View PostDangle, on 16 January 2012 - 01:44 , said:

Been experimenting for the past 5 years and found the ideal system.

Hey share your finding please.

In my mind the ideal solution would be the following (Granted I have never used it before, but it makes sense):
Posted Image
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”…Edmund Burke

#10 the nerd

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Posted 16 January 2012 - 02:01

View PostFlippa, on 16 January 2012 - 01:31 , said:

I'm currently using the On-One Doofer and its mostly great. It has loosened up a little on a couple of occasions, but otherwise has worked well.

Its being replaced by a set of sliding dropouts, well when my frame arrives, eventually.....

one day your bike will arrive lol

#11 Dangle

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Posted 16 January 2012 - 02:02

View PostHairy, on 16 January 2012 - 01:50 , said:

Hey share your finding please.

In my mind the ideal solution would be the following (Granted I have never used it before, but it makes sense):
Posted Image
You sir, have a clever mind Posted Image

Attached Image: Ritch.jpg

Edited by Dangle, 16 January 2012 - 02:12 .

You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life. Winston Churchill

#12 the nerd

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Posted 16 January 2012 - 02:02

View PostHairy, on 16 January 2012 - 01:50 , said:

Hey share your finding please.

In my mind the ideal solution would be the following (Granted I have never used it before, but it makes sense):
Posted Image

It looks the best but i still think the new niner EBB looks awesome.

Paragon dropouts.

http://www.paragonma...n&category=0006

Edited by the nerd, 16 January 2012 - 02:05 .


#13 Hairy

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Posted 16 January 2012 - 02:07

View Postthe nerd, on 16 January 2012 - 02:02 , said:

Paragon dropouts. It looks the best but i still think the new niner EBB looks awesome.

Sometimes practicality out ways looks ... I think this would be one of those times:
  • if you change sprockets or tension up the sliders you don't have to adjust your rear disc
  • the rear wheel can just drop out as per a std geared bike when using a QR ... no bolts to hold the wheel in place or chain tugs that needs to be loosened and then tightened up again once the wheel has been re-installed
  • fine tuning is very simple
  • I believe the EBB systems can be prone to creaking noises if not kept squeacky clean ... this is an mtb after all so clean is not an option

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”…Edmund Burke

#14 XTC1

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Posted 17 January 2012 - 07:51

I had the magic gear going for a while on my Niner (32 x 17 on a medium frame) but am now using the Gusset Bachelor same as Divernick...cheap and cheerful from CRC and giving me ZERO hassles and it handles a wide chain nicely. I also tried Iron's solution of a BB mounted chain guide as on the "the style of tensioner I used" thread but couldn't get it to work with the chain length and gearing...really happy with the Gusset though.

I considered getting an EBB for the Niner but were reading mixed reviews and couldn't justify the spend in the end as I wasn't sure if I was going to hang onto it.

Got sliding dropouts on one of the older Inbred 29's and you can't beat them. Mate of mine has a newer frame with horizontal drops but it doesn't work as well without decent wheel tugs.

Edited by XTC1, 17 January 2012 - 07:52 .


#15 NINER_boy

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Posted 05 March 2012 - 11:01

Hey guys

I tried all the tension type stuff, but found this to work best (on Iron's suggestion);
Blackspire tensioner

This is a BB mounted chain guide, but with the right attitude (patience and perseverance), you can use it as a simple chain "tensioner", static of course.
You will have to "trial and error" on the angle before you lock the external BB cup.
TIP, place the chainguide against the frame, and then the spacer and crank, otherwise the tensioner angle will change when you torque the BB cup.

Using mine now for a while, and found this the best solution.

Easy installation and adjustment, as well as THAT TRUE SS LOOK, at the rear...
Yeah baby

Attached Images

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Edited by NINER_boy, 05 March 2012 - 12:28 .

Pain is temporary...
Giving up lasts forever!!!

#16 skidd

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Posted 05 March 2012 - 01:13

View PostHairy, on 16 January 2012 - 01:50 , said:

Hey share your finding please.

In my mind the ideal solution would be the following (Granted I have never used it before, but it makes sense):
Posted Image
I have these on my singlespeed MTb, the best, no doubt