yumna2

Just wondering..i just started riding fixed gear and was wondering if its a good idea to ride with chain adjusters/Chain Tensioners..is it safer? or is it not really needed for daily riding. Thanks!

mander

See how things are with your setup first... for whatever reason some people have more problems with the axle slipping forward than others, and this is where a tensioner can be really helpful in daily riding. I run one on my conversion because with my setup I can't keep my axle in one place without excessive torque on the axle nuts.

Tensioners also make dialing in chain tension a little easier, though once you know what you're doing this is no longer much of an issue.

Psydotek

Not necessary. But i think they're one of those small details that make a bike cool(er?) so i've got some MKS ones on my bike. And they do make it easier to set the axle position in the dropouts.

ralphm2k

If you have decent axle nuts you shouldn't need them (track or serrated flange).

Ken Cox

I have two fixed-gear bikes and I use dual MKS chain tensioners on each of them.

If a person has a work stand for his bike, he can use chain tensioners to fine tune his chain.

Bikes don't have perfectly circular nor aligned parts.

On one of my bikes, all the imperfections add up on about every three revolutions of the crank, creating a tight place for the chain; and, correspondingly, about every three revolution of the crank, the chain has a loose place.
I adjust for the tightest place out of multiple revolutions.
One can't do this without a work stand, and chain tensioners make it oh so easier.

Further, I don't like tightening anything "wicked tight," and I don't like relying on friction to hold the axle in place.
Chain tensioners allow me to not mechanically abuse the metal with excessive torque, and the tensioners hold the axle in place no matter what.

I've tried many different designs and brands of chain tensioners and prefer MKS: 5mm for street bikes and 8mm for mountain bikes.
Installing and using the MKS chain presents a learning curve; and, the MKS chain tensioner's limited range of adjustment requires a specific chain for every chain ring and cog combination.

134k

I only use one MKS tensioner, which of course is on the drive side. Otherwise, yes it does make for an easier job doing what it's supposed to do, not to mention aligning my axle.

ralphm2k

If it doesn't make the bike go, or go faster - it doesn't belong on the bike.

dewthedew

i use my muscles

dewthedew

but my blinkie keeps me from getting smashed

ralphm2k

Well then, that makes you go - so it belongs.

kidtwisty

so should i take my saddle off?

mander

*facepalm*

raster

I knew I didn't need brakes!

ralphm2k

Nope, leave that on - you'll go faster with it than without... honestly.

ralphm2k

I don't know about you, but I go faster with a brake.

fixedup

Makes tensioning the chain a whole lot easier, plus I can open up beers with my surly tugnut when im not riding.