Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - the benefits of chain tensioners?

I notived that once I flipped my year wheel to the fixie side I have to pull my tire back pretty much to the end. This makes for some concern with keeping my chain tight and makes me wonder it it is more likely to slip. Would a chain tensioner be a good idea? What are the benefits of a chain tensioner?

I notived that once I flipped my year wheel to the fixie side I have to pull my tire back pretty much to the end. This makes for some concern with keeping my chain tight and makes me wonder it it is more likely to slip. Would a chain tensioner be a good idea? What are the benefits of a chain tensioner?

I picked up a Surly Tuggnut. I found it much easier to get my wheel in straight and the initial chainline tight. I didn't really have any problems with slipping before, I was always frustrated with the aforementioned tasks. Real tracknuts and a strong arm should keep the wheel from slipping.

I actually got two on the bike, so I have a backup bottle opener.

I don't get it; virtually every BMX rider I've ever come across has at least one and often two chain tensioners, but SS/fixie riders, whilst being in pretty much the same boat, for some reason often overlook them. I have a Tuggnut too, it really is the best thing ever. Practical, gorgeous, it really is a necessity.

I've never used a tugnut because I've never encountered any problems with slippage or wheel centering/alignment. I think the key here is to use proper track locknuts.

George

My Bianchi kept slipping until I put in a Star washer. Now it doesn't slack nearly as often.

None of my ss/fixies have tensioners or proper track nuts. I've never had a problem.

I recall seeing tensioners on BMX bikes since I was a kid. At the time, I thought they were mostly cosmetic, a crossover from motorcycles. :)

I notived that once I flipped my year wheel to the fixie side I have to pull my tire back pretty much to the end. This makes for some concern with keeping my chain tight and makes me wonder it it is more likely to slip. Would a chain tensioner be a good idea? What are the benefits of a chain tensioner?

switch to a larger cog or a shorter chain? i use a tensioner on one bike because it makes it easier to get my allignment right, and my chain tension dialed in. my chainstays are narrower and my tire is fatter, so it's more time consuming to do the whole tighten one side, push the other side back thing to set it up the way i like it. i don't use a tensioner on my other track bike and i've never had problems with wheel slippage.

at this moment, i have a tensioner on the drive-side of my BMX, but it's not really doing much by way of keeping my chain tight. it's mostly just to keep the wheel from slipping (my axle is bent and if i do a feeble grind of an icepick or just screw up a landing it kicks the wheel out of place and starts a big screaming, bike throwing fit (not really)).

chain tensioners on bmx bikes are used because of all the stress we put on are back wheels. when was the last time you saw someone on a track bike do a peg grind on a ledge, down a hand rail or do a ice pick stall and or grind? Locking up the rear wheel just doesn't measure up to that kind of abuse.

ok so I was a little late with my reply. Damn you sloth.

ok so I was a little late with my reply. Damn you sloth.

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ZOOOM!!!