Need some help on chain tensioner.
#1
Knocks Cycling
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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.

#3
Brown Bear, Sqrl Hunter
#4
Knocks Cycling
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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.
#5
Fresh Garbage
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, https://harriscyclery.net/itemdetails.cfm?ID=963

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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.
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What about one of those downhill tensioners that mount on the chainstay?
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
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half link
Last edited by Nagrom_; 02-17-12 at 05:29 PM. Reason: hyphenation does not answer questions.
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Nagrom_ single word answers usually do not convay much meaning. Please explain how "half-link" solves this problem.
#11
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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.
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Knocks Cycling
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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.
#16
Still kicking.