Okay so I have been messing with this thing for months. I've cracked a chain and replaced it, replaced the sprocket, replaced the washers. I cannot get the chain tension correct. It's either tight to the point of not being able to pedal, or so loose it smacks the frame every time I pedal.
I've watched probably 8 different videos on YouTube, I've tried just pulling the wheel straight back, I've tried tightening one side and then pulling and tightening the other and so on.
It feels like no matter how I adjust it, I end up back at square one where the chain is just sagging. I cannot get this right and it's bugging the fuck out of me because it seems like it should be simple. Any ideas or do I just need a chain tensioner? I'm by myself so no extra hands :/
by hairlesspet3
11 Comments
You may need to get a half link if you don’t have one already.
If the dropouts are bungled up it’s hard to get it to stay put. You could try new nuts.
I like putting a screwdriver handle between the tire and frame for tension.
Could get a 28T sprocket 😉
You might need to pull your wheel more back on the dropouts but make sure the axle doesn’t pass the dropouts. And if that doesn’t work. You can either get a 28T sprocket or get a half link which is better at sizing up chain’s because the links are smaller than a non half link chain.
Flip her upside down
put a socket and ratchet ( or spanner) on the drive side nut
grab wheel with 1 hand
Put foot on seat post and apply a little pressure until chain has sufficient tension
rotate sprocket and find the tight spot ( 99% of bikes i’ve ridden have one)
slowly tighten while still applying tension
tighten both nuts a little at a time so theres still good tenstion and the wheels straight
also forgot to add, if it’s a brand new chain and it was previously tight it’s most likely stretched a little, new chains do that, and if the wheel goes too far back that its going to hang off the dropouts, take a link out of the chain. and are you just not doing the nuts up tight enough? sometimes people do that to.
So you have a washer between the axle nut and dropout? If not, as you torque it down the nut rubbing against the frame will create enough tension to make it creep forward.
Get one of those pump up construction airbags they use for lifting doors like the things tow company’s use to bend your door out to unlock it. Put the air bag between the chainstay brace and tire and pump till the chain is right and tighten. Also could it be that you have a wonky sprocket or bent bb spindle I know my bike has a bent spindle and I cant tighten it to much or else my chain gets way to tight for a quarter turn
Get a Odyssey bluebird chain
Pull the back wheel out. Seriously?
Sit down with the bike upside down feet against the seat pushing away while pulling the wheel tighten each side with ur ratchet till you don’t need to pull the wheel then stand up and tighten it so it doesn’t move from hops and whatnot
Chain tensioners will save you so much frustration if you’re working solo.
https://www.danscomp.com/wooder-x-dans-comp-tire-wedgie-translucent-red-wd-wedge-dc-trd/p1560390?srsltid=AfmBOoq9V6sMCpgzSn8iiuhldbJtikuLSQf7EeXlMAOlo3Ur1xOCD9m9
This thing is legit. The price however, kinda sucks. Buy it if you want but you can use something from around the garage or whatever to do the same thing
Another option is to get the numbers perfect to run slammed – this only works if you have chain pliers and quick link. IMO the best setup, and also one of the reasons the Odyssey bluebird is the best BMX chain
https://www.omnicalculator.com/sports/chain-length