centering your rear wheel
 

without tensioners? it usually takes me a bit to get the tension correct, but what drives me crazy is getting the thing perfectly centered. i actually measure the darn thing (i know i'm anal). any tips?

I pull back the wheel as far as possible, then slant the wheel towards the non drive chainstay(but not so much that the tire touches). I then tighten the non drive nut all the way down. After that, I push the back of the wheel so that it is centered, and tighten the drive side nut.

After doing this way for a while, I have learned how far off center I need the wheel to be when only one nut is tightened, to make it perfect in the end.

I use the same technique at popluhv. it just takes practice to get the chain to the right tension. I'm still working on it myself. ;)

Same technique here though I do it in reverse -- I tighten the drive side then then non. It's definitely one of those "feel" things.

I do the non drive side, then the drive side. I've gotten it pretty close, but every now and then I have to go back one more time to the non drive side, loosen it up, center the wheel and tighten it back down.

any reason to choose non-drive side first??

i usually go driveside first. dial the tension in, tighten it; then adjust with the other side to center it in the drops.

I also do it the same way. someone mentioned the correct tension. i thought making the chain tight as possible was the correct tension, or am i wrong?

If you use a chain tensioner (Surly Tuggnut in my case):
1. Adjust the tensioner.
2. Tension and tighten the non-drive side nut.
3. Tighten the drive side nut.
This works quickly and perfectly every time.

If it is super tight, you will wear out everything faster. It should be as tight as you can make it without causing it to make noise, or be able to feel each speck of dirt on the cog through your legs.
...I hope that makes sense.

I find if I tighten the drive side first, it will loosen the chain when I center the wheel. For me, I have more control over chain tension by tightening the non-drive first. I can use the leverage of the wheel to fine tune it that way. But I wouldn't change your technique if it works for you.

I think you misunderstand. You tilt the wheel till it touches the drive-side chainstay, tighten the drive-side nut, then center the wheel and tighten the non-drive nut.

This is functionally the same as your technique.

As far as track ends go, is there any reason not to use chain tensioners?

you don't really need them...

it isn't really a GOOD reason but the one i use.