Bicycle Mechanics - Are chain tensioners worth using?

My Gemini has a fair bit of chain slap so I was thinking of doing one or two things.

1. Get the lbs to shorten the chain a little. I think it must be the correct length anyway?

2. Fit a tensioner. This might be the easiest option but I'm not sure if it will work. Anyone used one? I just find the slap a bit annoying so I'd like to minimise if it you guys think it is worthwhile.

Would like to know the same thing. The guys at my LBS said to just cover the part of the frame it's hitting with lizard skin?? something like that.

Natophelia, as I understand them, the Lizard Skins will protect the chainstay from being slapped by the chain, but the tensioner seems to be some form of mechanical attachment you put somewhere on the frame and that rests on chain to take up the slack?

If it fits your chain stay, KORE makes a good one. Here is their site. Once on the site clike on DRIVE


http://www.kore-usa.com

All bikes have chain slap, even ht. The esiest fix if a cover for the chain stay but tensioners work well also.

Slainte:beer:

You can also get an MRP LRP(long range patrol) chain guide. You will however loose you large ring up front but it will help. It will also give you the protection of a bash guard and allow you to still use a fron derailer. Here is their site

http://www.mountainspeed.com/mrp/

Slainte:beer:

Thanks a lot, DBD.

As usual, you offer good advice and info. I've contacted a local importer to see where I can look at one.

i considered buying a chain tensioner a few years ago, although b/c of chain suck, not chain slap...

anyway, i saw in person 2 different systems that people had on bikes and they were pretty happy with them. in the end, i never searched one out and replaced my drivetrain and have had less chain suck since...

both of the 2 different ones i've seen use some kind of spring and attach to the chain along the bottom between the rear deraileur and the front crank...

i've never used one personally or know where to buy one or any specific problems using them... seems like the only real disadvantage is an extra thing to break and a little more weight but unless you're a weight-wennie shouldn't matter much.

anyone here ever used one and can post some positives/negatives? or special considerations about using one?

Hey Bokkie,

How often do you use your large chainring?

If not too often, you should consider two things.

1) Buy a neoprene chainstay protector, C'Dale makes one for X-Large chainstays, It's velcro and simply wraps around the chainstay. That or use insulation that plumbers use and some zip ties.

2) Buy a chain guide/bash guard. There are several on the market that allow for use of your middle and small chainrings. MRP makes one called Long Range Patrol. Another one is the one by Evil. It has a clear lexan bash guard and a stepped roller that supposedly works very well. It'll probably be the one I buy for my next bike. www.e13components.com

L8R

BTW, I've used a Kore and it won't fit on your Gemini.

How often do you use your large chainring?

Not too often, and only when I have to go on the road or can go flat out on cycle paths.


2) Buy a chain guide/bash guard. There are several on the market that allow for use of your middle and small chainrings. MRP makes one called Long Range Patrol. Another one is the one by Evil. It has a clear lexan bash guard and a...

I'll check those out. I think DBD mentioned LRP as well. Thanks for the advice on the Kore. I emailed the local UK distributor but he never replied. I guess he thought, Cannnondale, it won't fit, so won't waste time replying!

I was thinking on the lines of a tensioner that would (a) stop the occasional problem where on big bounces, the chain has twice dropped a gear on the rear cogs, and (b) a tensioner would stop the chain slapping around, and possibly eliminate problem (a):confused:

Back to the original question. YEs they are useful when used in downhill / freeride situations (hits and drops) otherwise I think they are a waist. You don't get enough chain slap to really worry about it unless you are in the right situations.

From what I've been told about chain slap is unless the chain is coming off of the rings there is no real need for a tensioner or a need to remove any links. I understand the annoyance. You can use a chain stay guard to protect the finish on the stay. They are usually self adhesive and are made out of a thin durable material. I have seen people use foam pipe insulation as a guard. This makes the chain slap almost silent and protects the chain stay. But it looks unusual, even ugly.

I've used a Bullit Bros chain tensioner for years on my MTB/Hybrid. It's a spring loaded gizmo that yanks all the slack out of the chain.

The bike shifts great and I never experience any slap.

Oh, and it looks old school cool.

I haven't seen them for sale in shops for quite a while.