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Author Topic: Chain tensioners  (Read 319 times)

Offline rpl3000

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Chain tensioners
« on: January 11, 2021, 08:10:38 PM »
Are most folks running chain tensioners?


I had my rear axel slip this summer and I retightened the axle nuts. Probably over tight, but no slipping for months.


I have been starting to practice more backwards rolling and I'm finding that my freecoaster is ghosting when rolling forwards and thus not releasing when I roll back. I read a few threads about over tight axle nuts contributing to ghosting.


I haven't had the chance to take anything apart yet to look at it, but I'm guessing I could run a bit less torque on the axel nuts if I had a chain tensioner (or an I mistaken).


I also don't recall if this is how the bike has been since I purchased it (new ARES AFX this May).
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Offline DaddyCool

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Re: Chain tensioners
« Reply #1 on: January 11, 2021, 11:11:39 PM »
Hi, I don't know of the aspect of the freecoaster not working properly with very tight axle nuts. But I would not recommend it anyway to have them super tight. Do you have a 14 mm axle? From my opinion you do not even need to tightend them so much, but I use (integrated) chain tensioners. One thing should be considered: The tensioner only prevents the axle to move forward! So if you have any force that pushed the axle to the back end of the dropout, the tensionser will not make a difference. I recommend to make sure that you have the contact area of the cone nuts and the pegs to the dropouts big enough. You need some friction here... So maybe a big washer between peg and dropout can help, especially when you use plastic pegs because the plastic slips easily on the steal of the dropout compared to aluminium. If you have the chance to get some proper tensioners and they fit to your dropout, I would try it (for both sides).
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Offline rpl3000

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Re: Chain tensioners
« Reply #2 on: January 11, 2021, 11:37:13 PM »
I was reading this thread How to properly tune a Ufree/Boo2/Runkai (global-flat.com)
reply#13 has a note from Scapegoat about the cone nuts/ axel nut tightness can affect performance.


Also. I'm assuming that my Ares AFX complete has the hub mentioned in the thread. I'll find out I guess if I decide to open it up. I have 3/8" axels/dropouts and no integrated tensioners. I'd have to get a lollipop style tensioner to try it out.

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Offline Revig

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Re: Chain tensioners
« Reply #3 on: January 12, 2021, 10:47:57 AM »

if main issue is crank arms moving during tricks:

http://www.global-flat.com/smf/index.php?topic=66533
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Offline bhuffman

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Re: Chain tensioners
« Reply #4 on: January 14, 2021, 02:28:50 PM »
Wish someone would "remake" the quamen tensioners.....
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Offline metalbmxer

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Re: Chain tensioners
« Reply #5 on: January 15, 2021, 06:23:45 PM »
Quote from: bhuffman on January 14, 2021, 02:28:50 PM
Wish someone would "remake" the quamen tensioners.....

I disagree Huffman, those things spaced your dropouts out to the point that it would certainly throw off the geo of the back wheel. Probably spaced your back pegs out another 1/2". I don't think people would want to ride that. While it was super good for what it did, I know I wouldn't ever go back to that system
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Offline bhuffman

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Re: Chain tensioners
« Reply #6 on: January 15, 2021, 07:46:09 PM »
Not sure what you mean....been riding these forever and still do without any issues with geo or spacing. In fact several companies now sell extenders which is the same concept. And definitely not 1/2. I'm talking about the older ones, the small version were sh&t. I've tried probably every tensioner available and they are the only ones that meet my requirements of


1. Same diameter of peg thus no gap between peg and dropout.
2. Do not mess up your axle threads.
3. Allow you to pull back wheel very close to end of dropout so you can change tire without breaking chain.
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Offline Mambocowboy

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Re: Chain tensioners
« Reply #7 on: January 15, 2021, 08:06:50 PM »
I'm curious what are the pros and cons of shorter vs longer dropouts?
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Offline bhuffman

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Re: Chain tensioners
« Reply #8 on: January 15, 2021, 08:16:25 PM »
A little bit of personal preference and probably height. I don't like any frame with less than a 13.5 CS, longer dropouts allow me to pull my wheel further back to make it "longer", also allows you enough room to push wheel forward to remove chain without breaking it so you don't have to break a chain every single time you change a tire which is especially a pain with a half link chain. You can argue a longer TT and shorter CS is the same as long as the overall length of the bike is roughly the same, but to me it still does not feel right/stable with back wheel tricks. I'm 6 1, and about a 19TT and 13.5 CS feels perfect and makes the bike feel "right" with all my tricks.
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Offline Mambocowboy

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Re: Chain tensioners
« Reply #9 on: January 15, 2021, 09:01:33 PM »
Quote from: bhuffman on January 15, 2021, 08:16:25 PM
A little bit of personal preference and probably height. I don't like any frame with less than a 13.5 CS, longer dropouts allow me to pull my wheel further back to make it "longer", also allows you enough room to push wheel forward to remove chain without breaking it so you don't have to break a chain every single time you change a tire which is especially a pain with a half link chain. You can argue a longer TT and shorter CS is the same as long as the overall length of the bike is roughly the same, but to me it still does not feel right/stable with back wheel tricks. I'm 6 1, and about a 19TT and 13.5 CS feels perfect and makes the bike feel "right" with all my tricks.
good to know thanks!
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