Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Tensioner Needed? (looked at other threads)

s'up, y'all? My very first post here (I'm all warm and fuzzy).

I'm about to build my first SS road bike from parts laying around my place. It will be a play bike and beater used for rides to the beach, rides with the girlfriend and rides where I need an excuse for not keeping up with the rest of the guys.

*will I need a tensioner when building up a SS with 2cm long horizontal road dropouts?*

I've got two frames that I could build up. I'd like to use my Basso which has had its derailleur hanger ripped off in a crash. Obviously, that would mean not running a tensioner (or requiring me to fabricate one - something I don't want to do).

I've also got a DeBernardi that I could build (with a hanger), but the Basso is sooooo much prettier.

So I ask the singlespeed gods; do I need a tensioner?

You wont need a tensioner with 2cm of horizontal play in the dropouts.

You should be able to run just about any gear combo with 2cm of dropout adjustment.


Originally posted by LA Law
rides where I need an excuse for not keeping up with the rest of the guys.

That's not going to happen. You'll usually be ahead of them - at least on the uphills.

damn! so I'll have to fake a flat, then?

Actually running a single speed you'll be able to coast along with them. A fixed you'd be out there in front, and they'd be huffing to keep up with you.

i don't know man, going uphill i can get easily ahead of my friends, but on descents i am usually pretty far behind (even though i have better "form" then they do).