Need some help on chain tensioner.
 

Well, I started to put the single speed back together and ran into a situation. The dropouts on the vintage schwinn's don't have a option to mount a tensioner. But I tried to just visualize the length the chain would need to be to run without one and it seems to be either too much chain to be tight with the wheel fully slid back in the dropout. So is there any sugjestions on a tensioner that will work, or what have others done in this delima. I posted a pic so you can see my problem.
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...n/135b06de.jpg

what is stopping you from shortening the chain?

This.

You have a horizontal dropout, just shorten the chain to what it needs to be.

I was just going to go with the tensioner so if I wanted to change up the gearing I wasn't having to deal with chain issues.

So your bike originally came with a derailer hanger than was just held in place by the QR skewer or nut/bolt axle assembly. You can try looking in a co-op or ask a shop if they any old clamp on hangers, or "claws". lying around. If not, http://harriscyclery.net/itemdetails.cfm?ID=963

http://harriscyclery.net/merchant/37...daptorclaw.gif

I think adjusting chain length with a breaker is way easier than finding and installing a tensioner. Just hold on to the extra links. Also, I changed from a 18 to 16 tooth in back with no chain length problems. You're probably making more work for yourself than you need to.

What about one of those downhill tensioners that mount on the chainstay?

half link

Nagrom_ single word answers usually do not convay much meaning. Please explain how "half-link" solves this problem.

sorry, fixed it.

Get a half link chain and a park chain tool, I mess with my gear ratio so much and just leave a bunch of extra chain links around.

Half link chains are garbage. Better to use a normal chain and a single half link.

Is it not feasible to run a phantom chainring as a tensioner or is that a poor idea? Seen them, never used one.

I wouldn't do it.

Thanks for all your help. I just went ahead and shortened the chain. I was just trying to make sure the wheel was centered by bottoming out in the dropouts but I will just have to eye it and go with it.

They are with a bike that sees alot of mile, but on djmtb or bmx, they are fine.

True. I should have been more clear.

That is ALWAYS how you want to do that.