Hassle free chain tensioning

[Mountain Bru]

I know this topic has been talked to death on a load of other freds, but I can't seem to find a consensus about what the most hassle free way is to tension a SS chain. It seems like every method has a problem.

 

- Horizontal dropouts need chain tugs which make it a bugger to remove a wheel, and can also mean that you need to adjust the brake caliper position. You also can't use QR if you don't have tugs

- EBB are sometimes noisy or wear out, and might mean you need to adjust your saddle height every time you tension your chain

- Spring loaded tensioners add minor amounts of friction, and also detract from the clean aesthetics of a SS. They also aren't fool proof and can cause issues if not properly aligned.

- Eccentrics hubs are heavy and usually your wheel needs to be rebuilt to fit the thing (not many people seem to have them for some unknown reason)

- Magic gears and half link chains will only work until your chain stretches a bit

- Sliding vertical dropouts seem to be the holy grail, but aren't very common or easy to find. It also detracts slightly from the clean look of a SS if you have mounting holes for a brake caliper that are unused because your caliper is mounted to the slider.

 

Am I missing something, or is there no hassle free way to tension a SS chain?

 

To add context to the question, I would like to build up a SS MTB that is as hassle and maintenance free as possible, and can go everywhere and be used for everything. I've been considering getting an On-One Inbred frame with horizontal drop outs on the sweet sweet special on the UK site, but I want to know that it's going to be the most hassle free frame choice possible before I take the plunge and start the project.

 

Can all you Single Speed Gurus that hopefully have some experience in this throw some advice my way.

[Pieter1]

I have horizontal dropouts with tugs, no issue getting the wheel in or out, adjusting the mount for the caliper only needs to be done once. No hassles if you ask me.

P.s get the Inbred. I have had it for a month now and I can't wait to ride every time! Its awesome!

Edited July 31, 2013 by Pieter1

[Cruz Addict]

get a belt system?

haven't got a cooking clue where or how to find them but if you manage to let me know as i would love one on my SS vs a chain.

[divernick]

Inbred with horizontal dropouts work a treat. It's really easy to get proper tension and it's super easy to remove the wheel.

I don't move the brake caliper every time I adjust tension either.

 

I have a bolt-on hub and use a tug on the drive side only. Neat, clean and easy.

 

Do it.

[Pieter1]

Do it.

Exactly.

[V12man]

I use paragon sliders - no problem removing a wheel - you just undo the quick release - no need to touch the slider to take a wheel off, and NO brake adjusting needed when tensioning the chain - unlike the sliding dropout on the on-one.

 

Takes about 2 minutes to tension the chain - wheel does not come off to do that:

 

Loosen 2 tiny locknuts

Back off 4 allen keys a turn or so

Tighten 2 lug bolts a turn or 3

Check wheel is still straight in frame

Tighten 4 allen keys

tighten 2 locknuts.

 

Done.

[Mountain Bru]

I use paragon sliders - no problem removing a wheel - you just undo the quick release - no need to touch the slider to take a wheel off, and NO brake adjusting needed when tensioning the chain - unlike the sliding dropout on the on-one.

 

Takes about 2 minutes to tension the chain - wheel does not come off to do that:

 

Loosen 2 tiny locknuts

Back off 4 allen keys a turn or so

Tighten 2 lug bolts a turn or 3

Check wheel is still straight in frame

Tighten 4 allen keys

tighten 2 locknuts.

 

Done.

 

Where did you get the paragon sliders? How much?

Edited July 31, 2013 by Mountain Bru

[shaper]

Horizontal drop outs with tugs, easy to remove the wheel when needed and no adjusting, release tension on the chain by flipping it off the front chainring and is easy to take the wheel out

[divernick]

And for the price, the Inbred is utterly unbeatable.....

[Mountain Bru]

I feel like one of the only things that everyone agrees on on the hub is that inbreds are awesome to ride. I've never read a bad thing about them.

 

I have a bolt-on hub and use a tug on the drive side only. Neat, clean and easy.

 

If you use a QR hub, do you need tugs on both sides? If you have a bolt on hub, how do you take your wheel off if you have a mechanical out on a trail somewhere? Do you have to carry a spanner around with you?

[Pieter1]

And for the price, the Inbred is utterly unbeatable.....

True, I paid £75 for mine. Just a quick question how tight is to tight?

[Clinton - theCOW]

get a belt system?

haven't got a cooking clue where or how to find them but if you manage to let me know as i would love one on my SS vs a chain.

 

You'd need a frame with a gap/break for belt drive.

 

Dangle aka Wyatt Earp i think has done a belt drive, maybe ask him. Also seen ads/posts in classifieds for belt, just search.

 

1 thing i've learnt is stay away from Eccentric BB, spoken to a few people, if you change chainring/sprocket to get a magic gear, you have to change post height & setback, that's too much of a mission if you ask me.

 

As for which is the best, there's a frame where the whole rear seat/chain stay is adjustable (think Vert drop out), takes away the brake issue, check the SS thread.

[shaper]

I feel like one of the only things that everyone agrees on on the hub is that inbreds are awesome to ride. I've never read a bad thing about them.

 

Real Steel.... say no more

[braailegend]

Horizontal dropouts with tugs, easier you cannot get.

The disc also doesn't move any distance. Had mine for almost a year and still no adjustments necessary.

I think Horizontal are best SS option.

 

QR Tugs are like R150 so whats the problem

Edited July 31, 2013 by braailegend

[divernick]

True, I paid £75 for mine. Just a quick question how tight is to tight?

 

My hub (Hope Pro II Evo SS/Trials) has a 8mm allen key bolt on each side. My multitool has a 8mm allen key built in.

 

Are we talking chain tension "tightness"?

I run my chain quite loose - about 25-50mm up-and-down play. If you use a SS-specific cog and chainring and the chainline is perfect this should be fine.

[Pieter1]

 

 

My hub (Hope Pro II Evo SS/Trials) has a 8mm allen key bolt on each side. My multitool has a 8mm allen key built in.

 

Are we talking chain tension "tightness"?

I run my chain quite loose - about 25-50mm up-and-down play. If you use a SS-specific cog and chainring and the chainline is perfect this should be fine.

My chain kept on coming off on bumpy decents, mine now has mabey 1cm play...