JimmyOneSmith

So i recently tightened my chain by pulling back the rear wheel on the dropout. I went riding last night and i hurt my back.

Now one can obviously be not related to the other, but i was wondering what you all recommended for chain tightness. Pics would be awesome!!

*Oh and the reason i tightened it is that every time i was pulling back the slack in the chain would annoy me.

THX

elTwitcho

Ideally you want it about as tight as you can get it while still having the wheel spin easily and without binding if you're riding on the street. A dropped chain on a fixed gear is alot more likely to lead to a crash than on a freewheel equipped bike.

Guvna

https://www.urbanvelo.org/issue3/urbanvelo3_p64-65.html

philos

What is it when the chain binds itself?

elTwitcho

Chain is too tight

JulianBH

When the wheel doesn't spin freely, the chain is binding.

philos

Ahhhh. Thanks guys ^^

rduenas

Generally people ride with their chains pretty tight. Some ride it tight because they hate the jerking back and forth while trackstanding.

Also, track riders can get away with riding with slightly more slack in the chain because there are no bumps and pot holes on the velodrome. On the street, too loose and you'll chain will jump and that's all bad. But too tight, and you're working double and contributing to the early wear of your drivetrain.

I keep mine somewhere between that. Like a sweet spot. Still some slack so it is still spins smooth and you can feel a bit of jerk back and forth, but not slack to where you can jump the chainring.

A good rule of thumb, for the street, if you look at it and it is VISIBLE that there's slack, it's too loose.

The Paper Boy

Great advice. Do you have any tips for hot water?

pwblanchard

^don't watch it, it makes it take longer.