Chain tensioning with internal hub question
 

Hey all,

So I noticed that my chain is a bit slack. I have a bit of play in the rear drops to move the wheel back, but I am concerned about the cable for the hub.

It is an 8 spd internal hub, and the shop that I got it from had cut it with basically no excess sticking out. Is there a way to move the wheel back without letting out any cable? Do you think it will even matter?

I am reluctant to mess with it right away because it is my car and I need it for work tomorrow. Any input or advice would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

How much slack?

Are you sure?

Spin your cranks. Front chain rings are almost never perfectly concentric so your chain will be tighter in some places than others. Ideally you want zero tension and zero slack with the chain at it's tightest point.

I'd suggest you think about it for a few days before attempting anything.

Is there a REAL problem? If not, it'd be foolish to butcher something you depend on.
Always have a plan B in this case.

And listen to Retro above.
Put the bike on the stand and slowly turn the crank a couple dozen times to find the absolute tightest spot.
Then ask yourself- Is it worth messing with.
Probably not.

Yes, neither sprocket is perfectly round so tension will be a happy average between the tighter ( not ) and looser unavoidably.

And you will need to make a few turns of the crank to find the tightest spot, since they will not always line up on the first turn, since they are rotating at different speeds. The chain will need to be pretty loose before it poses a problem.

hey all,

thanks for the input. it is pretty loose, but honestly it has not seemed to pose a problem when riding but it is just pretty droopy. i have chosen to let it be for now and hope that nothing actually happens. i will try and take a photo when i get home today and then maybe you can see exactly how loose it is and maybe in your experience whether it is worth messing with.

thanks again, and have a great Friday!!

My IGH bikes all have a slight visible droop in the chain, and I have never dropped or thrown a chain from any of them. Of course, near perfect chain line is always a goal when building.