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How often do you re-tension your chain?

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How often do you re-tension your chain?

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Old 01-21-09, 10:20 AM
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How often do you re-tension your chain?

I did a quick search for this, and found nothing (though I admit, I did not look through all ~2400 results).

I bought a Redline 925 not long ago. This is the first time I've ever ridden fixed. I've put about 300 miles on it so far, and I've had to re-tension the chain twice so far (including the initial install of the wheel), and I'm going to do it again when I get home today since it's getting a bit sloppy back there again.

Is this normal? Or am I not tightening the nuts enough?
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Old 01-21-09, 10:25 AM
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Chains stretch a little, that's normal. I've retensioned twice, once because i flipped the hub to try out SS and again yesterday. I'd say it's normal. So that's twice in ~200 miles.
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Old 01-21-09, 10:39 AM
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It's only too loose if you can get it to jump off. I just keep riding, and every few weeks give it a good test to see if I can get it to jump off the chain-ring somehow.
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Old 01-21-09, 10:45 AM
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Chains stretch, especially over the first couple hundred miles.

Also, over-tightening will cause premature wear.
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Old 01-21-09, 11:07 AM
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when ever i get a flat, which these days is not very often due to there not being much debris on my rollers
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Old 01-21-09, 11:07 AM
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Chain stretch is normal. Just keep riding. If you are really worried just get one of these and replace your chain once you stretched it too much.

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Old 01-21-09, 11:08 AM
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Not too often. Usually only when I flat.
I can get away with this because I'm easy on my drivetrain and use a brake.

Last edited by roadfix; 01-21-09 at 11:18 AM.
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Old 01-21-09, 11:13 AM
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I can feel it and see it when it gets loose. I would say it happens every 200 miles or so. Depends on the kind of riding you do and if you're running brakes or not.
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Old 01-21-09, 11:27 AM
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I'm not worried about chain stretch. I know that after only 300 miles I do not need a new chain and any stretch is still within acceptable limits. I was just wondering if my rear wheel was creeping forward, and if so, whether this was normal.

I did some calculations and found that even a tiny amount of chain stretch can lead to a sizeable amount of vertical play on the chain. I was a little surprised about that.

I do use a front brake, with some braking with my legs. But no skidding or anything like that.
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Old 01-21-09, 11:43 AM
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Originally Posted by apricissimus
I was just wondering if my rear wheel was creeping forward, and if so, whether this was normal.
Yes it is and yes it's normal
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