Hello all. I have a flat bar road bike (with vertical dropouts) that I am wanting to convert to a single speed for road use only. I'm wanting to know what are some of the better chain tensioners out today. Thanks.

https://lmgtfy.com/?q=chain+tensioners

I complained about my Forte tensioner when I first used it, becuase at a 45 degree (or so) position (similar to a derailer), it never seemed to keep tension right. Shortening the chain and positioning the tensioner nearly horizontal/parallel to the chainstay made it much more effective. This may apply to other tensioners; if price is an issue, cheap tensioners may hold up just fine.

@Raiden - thanks for the tip. I've read that most tensioners work better in push up mode rather than push down. Did you try that with the Forte? Curious.

@tmh657 - I know how to use Google I just remember in sparse conversations that alot of the chain tensioners didn't work to well and a select few did. Sure, the mfg.'s will tell you that theirs is always the best. I trust the judgement of the actual users on this forum and would like to hear from them to find which ones work the best.

That was the most polite response ever to the let me google that.. Your parents should be proud of you. Really.

If you don't want to fixed, go get a bolt on freewheel hubed rear wheel, a bmx freewheel and a SS chain. If your chainline isn't too far off the SS chain shouldn't walk off.

But you can turn shouldn't into wouldn't by adding the tensioner.

or you could just crank down the limiting screws on a derailuer and use the jockey wheels as a tensioner.

then again, a wheel with a flip flop hub would be the all 'round best way to go...

oh, but that pesky chainline thing again, that could mean a new BB...

head palm