Originally Posted by
ianjk
Hand between seat-tube and tire works for me on the track bike, fist on conversion.
same here. finger, hand, or fist always get me there (depending on clearance of the bike in question).
I hold the wheel back by wedging the above between the tire and seat tube, tighten down one nut enough to hold, then adjust and tighten the other. if the bike it upside down it is easier to do, and easier to make sure things are straight.
I am also not a big fan of tight drivetrains, for all the reasons people mention. that said, you can get your too tight no-slack tension by this method as well, if that is your thing.