I’ve always been told by bike builders that I should rock about half inch or a bit less than a half inch of slack on my chain. To where it looks right but when you press on it, it doesn’t feel so tight that it’s hard too press down on the slack. How tight do you guys prefer your chain or keep your chain? What’s your rule of thumb? Do u ride with it pulled completely tight or with a tiny bit of wiggle room/slack? Or maybe even a lot of slack? Just wanted to get other opinions. Cause I was just told by someone my chain was too loose, even though it’s pulled tight… I guess there’s not supposed to be slack when I press on it? But I’ve had an axle bend from overtightened chain riding over time so idk if that’s accurate info. But it was a good source a shop owner said it.. so now I’m wondering if I should stick to the way I been doing it or wondering if I been doing it wrong for all this time… what’s your preference guys? First pic is how I ride usually maybe just a bit tighter than that.. and the second is how I was told my chain should be. Like tight tight but not slip a tooth tight. What’s the real deal with these chains!? Should you be able to move them when you push on them or should they be tight to where you feel resistance when you press down on it?
by Fast_Hold5211
5 Comments
I’ve tried and failed in dialing it in so many times that I don’t give a fuck about it anymore. I just slam my rearwheel full forward, cut a halflink chain to fit it and yeah it sometimes slaps my chainstay, makes some noise and on rare occasions it shaves a bit of metal off from my chainring when it tries to escape but it is what it is.
I think as long as it isn’t loose enough to fall off or tight enough to make a crackling sound when you try to pedal it’s good. Probably isn’t, but that’s how I live and I have made peace with it.
i’ve found it’s personal preference. i don’t run mine tight enough to “crackle” (u/nocdmb) but its definitely not loose either. if i can press it down a little bit it’s perfect for me.
side note that chain you pictured looks hella cool i’m gonna check it out
Yeh I just got a cult devotion last month and the chain seems very slack.
Loose enough to not pop or dig into my driver. Tight enough to not slap my frame.
I have tried to run with a little slack in the chain. Either i end up with a ton of clack and the wheel is straight. Or i run it super tight andnthe wheel is straight. In between the wheel wants to shift and not stay straight. I run brakes so it is never perfect unless its at an extreme