Originally Posted by
surlymonk
A chain tensioner makes it easier to get the tension you want and will allow you to keep it longer than just relying on your track nuts to hold the axle in position. If you don't mind the little bit of extra weight, they're worth having.
I strongly disagree. I find chain tensioners to be more of a pain in the ass than anything else. Whenever a customer comes in to have a flat changed and they have tensioners on their bike, it makes me scream inside.
Centering a wheel and keeping proper chain tension using axle nuts isn't exactly rocket science.