KNOBIS! Posted June 21, 2011 Report Share Posted June 21, 2011 Hi all, Sorry if this is a thick question but i was just wondering.. Why do you need a chain tensioner? Whats to stop you just taking links off the chain? Would save 15 quid! Thanks Aaron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewie87 Posted June 21, 2011 Report Share Posted June 21, 2011 if you are using a horizontal dropout system which i think you are with the phase 1.2 you can take the links out the chain but you will struggle to find the perfect chain tension to tight and it puts to much stress on the chain meaning it could snap too loose and it could just fall off the sprocket. with horizontal dropouts its easier to find that tension because you can move the wheel backwards and forwards to find the right tension. For the sake of all the hassle it will probabley be cheaper in the long run just to buy the chain tensioner. if your feeling particulary cheap (like me) you can use a old rear mech, adjust the limit screws to find the chain line you have and then zip tie the whole mech to the frame and it wont budge but it does stick out a bit meaning you may strike it when sidehopping or slipping of anything. ill be buying a chain tensioner soon as i have managled 3 hangers in the same amount of weeks. hope this helped clear it up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD™ Posted June 21, 2011 Report Share Posted June 21, 2011 Replace his first horizontal with vertical and you're pretty much there. Point is, one link of chain actually makes a hefty difference to chain length so its tough to get the right length. Then, even if you do, your chain will stretch. Stay sane, spend the £15. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewie87 Posted June 21, 2011 Report Share Posted June 21, 2011 Replace his first horizontal with vertical and you're pretty much there. Point is, one link of chain actually makes a hefty difference to chain length so its tough to get the right length. Then, even if you do, your chain will stretch. Stay sane, spend the £15. yeah thanks for that mate always get them mixed up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KNOBIS! Posted June 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2011 Thanks that helped a lot! Dont know if im going to go singlespeed though because i dont drive and therefore i cycle to wherever im going to do trials etc. Therefore top gear is quite helpful going up the carriage way! On the other hand though gears just seem to be more hassle than they're worth.. Any advice? Cheers again, Aaron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD™ Posted June 21, 2011 Report Share Posted June 21, 2011 When you get your singlespeed kit, put 2 sprockets on, separated by a spacer or 2 from the kit. Switch 'em by hand depending on what riding you're doing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KNOBIS! Posted June 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2011 When you get your singlespeed kit, put 2 sprockets on, separated by a spacer or 2 from the kit. Switch 'em by hand depending on what riding you're doing Nice idea! While im here ive just found that my chain is slipping A LOT Help! Please tell me i can fix it myself.. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KNOBIS! Posted June 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2011 Just to add, im thinking of buying these two.. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370275941570&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170657925055&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT If i did buy these would that be all i need to convert to singlespeed? Cheers, Aaron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isitafox Posted June 22, 2011 Report Share Posted June 22, 2011 You'd be better off with a sprung chain tensioner really Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewie87 Posted June 22, 2011 Report Share Posted June 22, 2011 the first link is fine that will cover the freehub but as isitafox said you will probably be better off with a sprung tensioner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD™ Posted June 22, 2011 Report Share Posted June 22, 2011 Yea, sprung tensioner definitely - all due to that chain stretch that was mentioned earlier. In terms of the chain skipping, it will either be your chain line (you want your mech set up properly until you're singlespeed, then you want the chainline as straight as possible from chainring to sprocket) or your hub (which is a bit more of a difficult one...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.Wood Posted June 22, 2011 Report Share Posted June 22, 2011 Yea, sprung tensioner definitely - all due to that chain stretch that was mentioned earlier. In terms of the chain skipping, it will either be your chain line (you want your mech set up properly until you're singlespeed, then you want the chainline as straight as possible from chainring to sprocket) or your hub (which is a bit more of a difficult one...) Or theres not enough chain wrap. Or its a new chain on old sprockets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD™ Posted June 22, 2011 Report Share Posted June 22, 2011 Or theres not enough chain wrap. Or its a new chain on old sprockets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KNOBIS! Posted June 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2011 Im gonna check for any bent teeth, any tips for bent teeth? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N.Wood Posted June 22, 2011 Report Share Posted June 22, 2011 Sometimes they can be bent back with an adjustable. If the spanner has 'teeth' / knurling might wanna put something in there so you don't mangle the tooth. Sometimes The front sprocket can wear and become hooked. This clings onto the chain and drops it before it can his the CS, causing it to skip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KNOBIS! Posted June 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2011 Ok thanks, Also would i be able to use my current hanger as a chain tensioner? Cheerss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD™ Posted June 22, 2011 Report Share Posted June 22, 2011 That's a derailleur and yes, but please god shorten your chain! For trials you'll want that near enough pointing to the front of the bike You'll struggle with gears then, but it should skip less too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KNOBIS! Posted June 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2011 Thanks! Right il get that singlespeed kit i showed above. Anyone fancy giving me the run down of what i have to do once i have the kit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isitafox Posted June 22, 2011 Report Share Posted June 22, 2011 You'll need a freewheel tool to crack the lockring on you existing hub then simply unscrew it, slide the cassette off then stick the spacers and cog on trying to keep it as inline as possible with your cranks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BurlyBox Posted June 22, 2011 Report Share Posted June 22, 2011 i have a 1.2 too. if you have just bought the bike check to see if the hanger is bent (thats the bit the derailleur which is the bit in the pic you posted goes on to) as mine was and others who bought the same bike had that problem. also definitely single speed it as you will destroy that derailleur so quick. ive damaged mine a bit but when i have the money il be getting a tensioner. also about the tensioner the one that will be best for the bike is this as you will need to use the 20 tooth to get a decent gear ratio as i prefer to use the 25 tooth but i dont think there are any tensioners that go to that size so the next best one is the 20 tooth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KNOBIS! Posted June 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2011 You'll need a freewheel tool to crack the lockring on you existing hub then simply unscrew it, slide the cassette off then stick the spacers and cog on trying to keep it as inline as possible with your cranks! Thanks! What about the tensioner (derailler)? What do i do with that? i have a 1.2 too. if you have just bought the bike check to see if the hanger is bent (thats the bit the derailleur which is the bit in the pic you posted goes on to) as mine was and others who bought the same bike had that problem. also definitely single speed it as you will destroy that derailleur so quick. ive damaged mine a bit but when i have the money il be getting a tensioner. also about the tensioner the one that will be best for the bike is this as you will need to use the 20 tooth to get a decent gear ratio as i prefer to use the 25 tooth but i dont think there are any tensioners that go to that size so the next best one is the 20 tooth. Yeah it was so bent it was actually hitting the spokes in the first 5 gears! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BurlyBox Posted June 22, 2011 Report Share Posted June 22, 2011 Alot of people including me found that. anyway if you are singlespeeding it then you will not need the derailleur and that is the bit that makes you change gear. it will be replaced with a chain tensioner and it will be screwed on to your hanger which will currently have the derailleur on it and you will set the tensioner up in line with your freewheel. all the tensioner will do is push down on the chain to keep the correct tension. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KNOBIS! Posted June 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2011 Cant i use the derailler as a chain tensioner? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BurlyBox Posted June 22, 2011 Report Share Posted June 22, 2011 it will make the bike heavier and you wont be able to change gear still. it is also more awkward as you have to tie wrap it to the frame and you still have the gear shifter (i think thats what it's called) on the bars that take up roomand add extra weight. it's much easier to get a tensioner as theyre less maintenance and lighter. if youre worried about the cost you can simply just get a tensioner and forget the single speed kit and then set it up. it wont be as light because you have alot more chain rings (i thing thats wha theyre called) than you would with a freewheel but all you do is replace the derailleur with the tensioner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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