BMX - Chain tensioners!

hey,this is kinda a stupid question but i was wondering what chain tensioners do.i have a few ideas of what they do,but can you give me the correct information please.and another question is do you have them and what do you find good about them........okay thanks.

open up a dictionary and read what "chain" means, then do the same for "tension" and take the "er" as a clue that the tension is being added to the chain. hen combine all that information your brain just took in (if it isnt too much for you) and compine them.

or you could think a little bit and figure out what happens when a device (chain tensioner) pushes on your frame and pulls back on the axles

I have them and they work to get the chain nice and snug on the freewheel in the drop out

open up a dictionary and read what "chain" means, then do the same for "tension" and take the "er" as a clue that the tension is being added to the chain. hen combine all that information your brain just took in (if it isnt too much for you) and compine them.

or you could think a little bit and figure out what happens when a device (chain tensioner) pushes on your frame and pulls back on the axles
Dude,freg off.i only asked a question.and yes i know what a chain is and yes i know what tension is,so freg off! my friend told me that if your tire goes to one side more then the other the chain tensioner will help fix it.

if the tires only going off to the side becuase your axles aint being pulled back evenly then yes it will help, it will also keep your chain tight.

o and sorry. i saw the bmx at the beggining or your name and i thought you were BMXZ asking another question yet again.

Ok a chain tensioner is a ring type thing that goes on your back axel. You tighten it then it tightens your chain by keeping your axel back. But if your rims are uneven then losen both the bolts then pull the wheel back and tighten the bolts.If the wheels still uneven check for a bent rim,bent axle, or bent frame.

it keeps you back wheel in place causing you chain to stay nice and tight or however you want it.

if you know how to tighten your back wheel you wouldn't need one

If you're as big as me, you need two.

if the guy who you bought your frame from unevenly ground your dropouts from 3/8 to 14mm, you need them :mad:

I would NEVER ride a sigle speed bike without them. They are a safety feature. Those that have thrown a chain at full pedel will know why they are not an option.

I would NEVER ride a sigle speed bike without them. They are a safety feature. Those that have thrown a chain at full pedel will know why they are not an option.

You're kidding, right? It seems to me that you need to actually tighten your axle nuts, if your wheel is slipping forward that much.

You're kidding, right? It seems to me that you need to actually tighten your axle nuts, if your wheel is slipping forward that much.

It's like a helmet. You may not need it, but when you do, it's a good idea to have it on. Nuts can come loose, maybe not often, maybe never. But I'm not taken that chance. The rear axel takes a beating when riding/jumping/racing. Temperature changes, vibration, poundings. Man, it can happen.

Ok, let's not make this an argument. I'm a bit OC when it comes to my bikes. I ordered a chain tensioner for my X3 because I want to make it easier to get the desired tension with a minimum of fuss. It just makes things easier.

Words from the guy that uses polish and a polishing cloth on brake bosses.

lol thanks for your help everyone.

Ok, let's not make this an argument. I'm a bit OC when it comes to my bikes. I ordered a chain tensioner for my X3 because I want to make it easier to get the desired tension with a minimum of fuss. It just makes things easier.

Words from the guy that uses polish and a polishing cloth on brake bosses.

Bah. Although I do plan on running some tensioners shortly (my friend is making some prototypes that I'll be testing), I prefer the "jam two objects of the same size between the chainstays and the tire, and a third object between the tire and the wishbone, and then crank down on the axle nuts with a tire iron" method. My sht rarely moves, and it takes a hell of a lot of instantaneous force for it to do so.

i use the same method, and i run 1 peg on my back wheel, and i love icepicks. never shifts.

Beerman, nothing wrong with your method. But when I have to take the back wheel off to put the bike in the car, a chain tensioner makes it much easier to sort out.

ya im getting a tensioner soon,it comes in handy.....and they're cheap!

Beerman, nothing wrong with your method. But when I have to take the back wheel off to put the bike in the car, a chain tensioner makes it much easier to sort out.

Are you driving a Fiat 500 or something? I can fit two bikes in the backseat of my Civic without removing any wheels.

Are you driving a Fiat 500 or something? I can fit two bikes in the backseat of my Civic without removing any wheels.

No, but when I go with my wife, we have to take the wheels off. To fit in my neighbours car with his kids, it's easier to take the wheels off too. Not so much with the 20", but certainly with the 24". I've got a Yakima rack in my garage, but no mounts for my car.

I have the same problem. I was very disappointed to discover that no one makes a hitch with a reciever for 1989 Civic hatchbacks.

Yakima is not sold in Australia. I kept the $400 racks, and will use them on my new car in the states.

my rear dropouts are so screwed up that when you tighten the axle nuts the wheel shifts over to the side. chain tensioners make it 100 times easier to put the wheel back on straight. thats the only reason i have them because the wheel hardly ever moves when im riding.