I have a a Gunnar Rockhound frame (415mm chainstays) with vertical dropouts and and a Paul Word hub. it's geared at 32/18, which is a bit spinny even for a noob like me. the old chain was stretched to hell so i got a new KMC 710 "kool" chain and it's way too tight. i can never get the tension just right. if i put a half-link on it, it will flop all over the place. currently, i took the shouldered centering washers off the hub bolts and i am running the axle slightly below the center of the dropout. it doesnt seem like a very solid way to set up a bike.

i am considering two options:

1. add a half-link to the chain (i have one in my toolbox) and put a chain tensioner on it. i can get a tensioner from my LBS for $20. i think it's that DMR tensioner, but i'll have to double check.

2. get a 17t freewheel, which would bring my gearing up a bit and should fit just about right according to my calculations on this site: http://eehouse.org/fixin/javafmu.php

the problem with (2) is that, once the chain starts to stretch, it will be loose and i will have to buy a new chain again or get a tensioner anyways. but i want that higher ratio at some point, might as well start now.