Proper chain tension with a garbage work stand
 

So today I changed a flat that I had on one of my bikes. With it in the stand I have found that getting the wheel centered and the proper chain tension is rather difficult. Any tips or tricks on a quick and easy way to do this? I have a POS stand from PricePoint, your basic $100 folding work stand that has 0 stability. Pulling the rear wheel back often leads to the bike almost tipping over. So balancing that, getting the wheel straight and the chain tight, then trying to tighten the bolts down while keeping the wheel straight and the chain tight is cumbersome.

i dont even have a work stand, its not that hard

i push the wheel back from the front which also helps center it, tighten one side a bit at a time and go back and forth

you dont want a tight chain, thats for other joys of life

Stand behind the bike, with it at chest level. Pull wheel back, then push the wheel to the right(using the part of the wheel closest to the seat tube), and tighten left axle nut. Then push wheel to the left, tighten right(drive side) axle nut. Basically it "walks" the axle back. Might have to do it a couple times, and avoid letting it slip when tightening.

1. pull wheel out until chain is tight
2. press rim against drive side chainstay
3. thumb-tighten drive side nut
4. center wheel
5. thumb-tighten other nut
6. adjust drive side again if necessary
7. tighten both nuts
8. ride bike

Ignore stand.

Place bike upright on ground with both wheels facing down.
Loosen track nuts
Pull wheel back.
Shove fingers of left hand between seat tube and wheel (at the point where the wheel is closest to the seat tube)*
Using left hand to keep wheel straight, tighten drive side just enough so that nothing can move
Check straightness and tension.
Tighten drive side a bit more.
Tighten NDS, making sure wheel stays straight.
finish off drive side

*The way I do this is hook the NDS chain stay with a few fingers then use my thumb to push against the seat tube while using free fingers to push wheel back.

the best way i've learned..... which isn't painful;

bike flipped over, palm on bottom bracket, pushing the wheel back w/ the tire between your thumb and pointer finger. doesn't require much effort. can easily bind your chain if you'd like. the only "trick" is aligning it straight between the chain stays as your hand will be blocking your view.

i'll let someone else elaborate on taking out the high spot

http://i61.tinypic.com/fwlyx4.jpg

Sweet barbedwire tattoo, bromigo.

it has deep meaning ok -----------------------------

Haha ok....

ftfy

it deeply reminds me of the young stupidity. =]

Barbed wire tats are so yesterday.

i actually considered using my other hand with the fsded red barbed wire for this pic----- cuz i knew ya'll would have trouble focusing. lawl.

Yesterday? So eighties......

http://www3.pictures.stylebistro.com...U06XWZegsl.jpg

Aw I was just messing around man. I haven't been tattooed in 20 years, but I'm tattooed from my ears to my toes....I wish my dumbest tattoo was a "sweet barbed wire tattoo"...