Chain tugs/tensioners

Harrybelafonte

Big puncture on my Bowery last night, through tyre and tube. Luckily just before home. But it's the rear wheel, which I've never removed before, so go through the motions and replace everything and put wheel back on. Only problem now is the chain tensioners are blocking the "hitch" for the trailer which should bolt on to the hub. After a bit of messing I get it on and away I go with success (partial, I had tightened everything too much and chain was way too tight, thank the Lord for lamp posts). So I'm left with 2 questions.

1. Should I be using a trailer that connects to a hitch attached to the hub of a single speed at all?

2. Do I need the tensioners on a single speed, considering no fixed braking is involved? or are the tensioners just as useful on a single speed?

abcdggs

as i understand chain tensioners are a bit unnecessary, you can get correct tension with out them. Not sure about the trailer, but chain tension is important for power transfer, and poor chain tension gives the wrong impression...

lukester

Trailer, no idea.

Tensioners. Not required, but they make it easier to get correct chain tension. I know people with Bowerys who have ditched them. Still have mine on though.

Harrybelafonte

I think I sorted the chain out okay in the end. I was doing it a8pm under a lamp post with basic tools and haven't noticed anything off yet. I may just take the tensioners off, it'll allow the bolt to move up the hub a bit more.

tomasrojo

You could switch to a bikehod, if you liked. They're less stable, but they attach to the seat post. They also stand up on their own quite nicely when not attached to the bike. I like mine anyway.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=64179344&postcount=1639

Harrybelafonte

tomasrojo wrote: »

You could switch to a bikehod, if you liked. They're less stable, but they attach to the seat post. They also stand up on their own quite nicely when not attached to the bike. I like mine anyway.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=64179344&postcount=1639

I can imagine my neighbours' reactions when I arrive home with my son's head poking out if one of those bags!

tomasrojo

Ah! So it's not a goods trailer.

blorg

I have a trailer attached to my fixed Tricross. Hitch goes onto the axle, no problems although with that, a rack in the same area and the lack of tensioners it makes it pretty difficult to get good chain tension. Have a Bowery as well but haven't tried with the trailer hitch yet. Hard to see how the tensioners would get in the way though.

I also have an integrated tensioners on my track bike. In my experience tensioners are a godsend, they make getting perfect chain tension just so much easier. I am much more afraid of having to take the wheel off the Tricross. I would have them on the that only the one I tried (the Surly job) got in the way of the rack mount.

I strongly suggest not changing your trailer to the inferior model touted by tomas "babykiller" rojo.

Harrybelafonte

blorg wrote: »

I have a trailer attached to my fixed Tricross. Hitch goes onto the axle, no problems although with that, a rack in the same area and the lack of tensioners it makes it pretty difficult to get good chain tension. Have a Bowery as well but haven't tried with the trailer hitch yet. Hard to see how the tensioners would get in the way though.

I also have an integrated tensioners on my track bike. In my experience tensioners are a godsend, they make getting perfect chain tension just so much easier. I am much more afraid of having to take the wheel off the Tricross. I would have them on the that only the one I tried (the Surly job) got in the way of the rack mount.

I strongly suggest not changing your trailer to the inferior model touted by tomas "babykiller" rojo.

I'm hoping that moniker doesn't stick now

The hitch is a plate and the tensioners just don't allow it to sit flat against the dropout. It's probably fine, considering I never even considered it as an issue until last night.

From what you said there, I'm as well to leave the tensioners on. They may be the main reason I was able to get my chain sorted last night.

tomasrojo

Harrybelafonte wrote: »

I'm hoping that moniker doesn't stick now

Me too!

Golfanatic

there a whopper treck i have intergated ones on my bike there class. theres a real easy way you probably know. you tighten the non drive side then you push the wheel over till its center then tighten the drive side nuts. make sure you get the right tension on the non drive side. its way quicker then the tensioners

abcdggs

Or put a half full plastic bottle between the wheel and seat tube, will push the wheel back and tension the chain. Handy way to get good chain tension if you're on your own

Golfanatic

wont work for me i have a milimeter between my seatube and wheel :P but good idea real cool

abcdggs

You can thank flickerx for that,