Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - chain tension

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abraxas
07-20-04, 02:33 PM
how tense/slack should the chain be on a fixie? if it is too slack, do u just slide the hub back on the dropouts until its taut?

bombusben
07-20-04, 02:43 PM
Tight enought so it doesn't fall off, loose enough so it doesn't bind. I think the rule of thumb is about 1/2" of play up and down at the middle of the chainstay. Most chainrings are not perfectly round. You'll want to adjust the tension at the tightest portion of the ring. Chaintugs can help dial this in, but they certainly are not necessary.
If it's too slack, yes slide the wheel back. If really too slack, you can remove a link from the chain. Remember to keep the wheel centered when you retighten.
j3rmz
07-20-04, 07:51 PM
how do you keep the wheel centered? to keep your tire from lookin like / instead of | it seems every time i start to get it snug it ends up rubbing on one of the chainstays...

hammye
07-20-04, 09:50 PM
I use a handle I made from a broomstick. Just jam it between the wheel and the BB cup and position it to whatever you think is comfortable. Then I tighten up the chain side first to be followed with the other side. It works for me and I haven't used the chaintugs in years.
roadfix
07-20-04, 11:18 PM
how do you keep the wheel centered? to keep your tire from lookin like / instead of | it seems every time i start to get it snug it ends up rubbing on one of the chainstays...

good manual dexterity
stevo
07-22-04, 06:40 AM
"good manual dexterity"

yup. gone are the days when schoolkids had to work on their own bikes, i guess.
jfmckenna
07-22-04, 08:12 AM
Just eye ball it to center and don't dighten one nut all the way and then go to the other one, tighten back and forth and jockey the wheel to center...
HereNT
07-22-04, 08:32 AM
If it's going more towards one side, I loosen the bolt on the other side, then push the wheel. I think I get better tension by tighteing the drive side first.

Still need to get me some chain pulls, though...
skitbraviking
07-22-04, 09:17 AM
I have found the best way to tighten is to stand behind the bike and pull it taught, slowly loosening each side by hand and then a wrench.
progre-ss
07-22-04, 11:47 AM
I have found the best way to tighten is to stand behind the bike and pull it taught, slowly loosening each side by hand and then a wrench.

HUH????