Matt Vandart Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 (edited) I made this spoke tensioner and was wondering if I got it right. Luckily the frame had a couple o holes in the drop out which I could use as a reaction thingy. It's held on at the back by a nipple. It seems to tension the chain quite well but whats to stop the tensioner falling off the chain if you get me. Here are some pics. How long have you been using spoke tensioners? Ever had any problems? Surely they wear chains out quicker? Uploaded with ImageShack.us Uploaded with ImageShack.us I just dont wanna eat shit you see for the sake of waiting a day for the 16t sprokket Would you trust this tensioner? Edited August 6, 2010 by Matt Vandart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Franksx2005 Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 Would you trust this tensioner? I used one for ages, the only problem i had was after a failed side hop and catching it. after that the spoke wouldnt hold the tension very well due to being bent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamR28 Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 How long have you been using spoke tensioners? Ever had any problems? Surely they wear chains out quicker? Would you trust this tensioner? Quite a few months. None at all. Nope. In fact, the tensioner wears down because it's (relatively soft) stainless steel. I wouldn't trust yours Matt unfortunately, it needs at least 2 coils to produce enough force to stay in the groove of the chain. Without any coils, the spoke just bends and tension falls away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Vandart Posted August 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 Tidy. Thats the answer I have been looking for. So how do you suggest I do it then? I got a because hub on there and as you can see there is a shit load o spare chain (but just not enough to remove a link) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamR28 Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 Bend the very end of the spoke at 90 degrees, poke it through the gap in the dropout in front of the axle bolt, then wind a couple of coils around the washer on the drive side end of the axle (between frame and hub shell) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Vandart Posted August 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 How do ye fix it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krisboats Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 How do ye fix it? By leaving the end sticking out the hole nearest the axle washer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark W Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 Can do it like that too - just pop a nipple (painful) on the end of the spoke and it holds it in pretty much anywhere. With tension on it presses it into the frame so it holds it's place anyway, usually... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Vandart Posted August 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 lol My brain has melted.............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark W Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 Not hard. Bend a spoke just before the threads (threaded section in a vice, use a hammer). Put that little handle into a hole in your frame. Wrap it anti-clockwise around the spacer on your rear hub's axle. Bend it in an S-shape at the end so it sits on the rollers of your chain. Profit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben_travis Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 i have made several spoke tensioners all the correct way as described by the tarty faithful and i have to say....i definitely do NOT trust them. no chance in hell. i have one as a spare just in case, but dear me i dont trust it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdamR28 Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 Ben - you're doing it wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben_travis Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 (edited) Ben - you're doing it wrong its ok....i have decent enough chain tension now anyway so meh EDIT: now now....dont all you tarty boys gang up on me...i dont want to recieve any kinky initiation test Edited August 6, 2010 by ben_travis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark W Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 I have some trust issues with mine after I saw it dipping it's little spokey hand into my wallet, but now we're pretty much on the level so although I do keep an eye on it, I'm reasonably trusting of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
club_card Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 I was thinking these spoke tensioners look abit dodgey but I was going to make one anyway until I realised I didn't need one. My chain's tight with no tensioner, for the moment anyway, I hope it doesn't stretch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Vandart Posted August 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 Not hard. Bend a spoke just before the threads (threaded section in a vice, use a hammer). Put that little handle into a hole in your frame. Wrap it anti-clockwise around the spacer on your rear hub's axle. Bend it in an S-shape at the end so it sits on the rollers of your chain. Profit. Brain was melted before Adam Posted. Uploaded with ImageShack.us Any betterer? I have some trust issues with mine after I saw it dipping it's little spokey hand into my wallet, but now we're pretty much on the level so although I do keep an eye on it, I'm reasonably trusting of it. Pissing myself laughing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forteh Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 If you can wind a new one the other way you may well be able to get the chain to tension upwards, that way if you do miss a sidehop you cant bugger your tensioner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben_travis Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 (edited) Any betterer? dude...you have to be able to take another link out of that chain. you should be attempting to have as little chain on your bike as in that picture mark posted earlier....on top of this you would get more of the spoke which wrapped around the hub, which sould mean more tension. this is what you seem to be missing you little sausage Edited August 6, 2010 by ben_travis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Vandart Posted August 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 I know what your saying but it wont, or if I do it will be mega tight and the f**king stupid tyre will foul on the frame. By the way, a chocolate teapot works beter than the tensioner I just made, lol. By the time I have done this that 16t sproket will have got here knowing the Tart and his wee tartlets, working away like busy beavers packing and sending off shit to all the lucky boys and girls that have taken up this incredibly annoying sport. f**k this I'm getting a new BMX........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark W Posted August 6, 2010 Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 If you've got your old chain still put 5-6 old links in your new chain and that should give you enough length to wear in part of the new chain without the tyre hitting the frame. Then, when that's cool and the gang, replace the older links with newer ones. Winner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Vandart Posted August 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2010 Okee doki I'll try that. Thanks I'm off back to bed now... Has anyone ever got a new frame and everything from your old frame has just fitted, all nice and loverly? It drives me mental, :blink: :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juan Manuel Posted August 7, 2010 Report Share Posted August 7, 2010 Okee doki I'll try that. Thanks I'm off back to bed now... Has anyone ever got a new frame and everything from your old frame has just fitted, all nice and loverly? It drives me mental, :blink: :blink: I'll tell you soon.. But it should Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cai Posted August 8, 2010 Report Share Posted August 8, 2010 Matt, try putting a bolt through one of those holes, and coil the spoke around it to create a spring. Like I have: By having this you can take your rear wheel off as normal (incase of pinch flats, re-grinds, etc..) - instead of having your tensioner wrapped around the hub and it causeing problems Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Vandart Posted August 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2010 Best one I have seen yet. Thanks but I have sorted it now dude. You need to get to bed earlier bro lol. Riding today? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
step Posted August 8, 2010 Report Share Posted August 8, 2010 This Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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