Best Chain Tensioner?

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  • I won't go into the lederhosen.

    Not to derail, I'll probably have to skip the Echo as it will take too long, and riding the BMX is a lot more painful than I remembered.

  • Well if you come over here you can borrow my surly singulator...it's red though :)

  • :)

  • I've ordered the Echo as I like the way it works... let's hope it's compatible with the Phil Wood KISS OFF hub.

  • BTW, http://www.tartybikes.co.uk/ has some nice stuff.

  • Nicework VB.

  • Shit... compatibility hell.

    The Phil Wood axle is 15mm diameter. The Echo fits either a 10mm or 12mm axle.

    Removing the inner sleeve would make it fit a 14mm axle, but then I'd have to risk drilling out the remaining 2mm, which would likely ruin the part.

    So tartybikes have swapped it out for a 4-Jeri tensioner:

    This is basically harder than it would be for most people because of the following:
    1) The frame has a cable eyelet on the chain stay, this precludes the use of a push-up tensioner which most of the tensioners are.
    2) The axle for the bolt-on hub is 15mm, which precludes any tensioner based on fitting over the axle.
    3) The bottom bracket is internal (not external cups) which precludes the BB tensioner.
    4) The chain is 1/8, which precludes most tensioners based on double-jockey wheel (dérailleur style).

    So I'm left with a choice of pull down tensioners that fit to the der hanger and are single jockey wheel with either no guard or a wide guard.

    My issue with the Surly is that the spring seems to be identical to one used on caliper brakes, and it's not really up to the long-term task asked of it. Basically the leverage required for a tensioner is greater than what I feel the tolerances of the Surly spring are for it's working life. I like the notion of using a spring with a long arm at the end to increase the leverage power of the tensioner, this should make it more effective too.

    The Echo looked perfect for this, but because of it not being compatible with the hub the 4-Jeri will be used instead. I still love the look of the Echo though, so if I did all this again I'd probably consider the Echo hubs made for this task.

    Big word up for Tarty Bikes, who not only stock tons of tensioners ( http://www.tartybikes.co.uk/search.php?category_id=48 ) but also have been fast on email service, and called to talk through the compatibility (as they measured parts with calipers and assessed options)... and even asked if I know a person who also happened to order an Echo (just so happens I did... hello dt) so that they could check with him that they won't be affected by the compatibility stuff.

    That level of customer service possibly even exceeds Hub Jubs service. Phenomenal stuff, so I totally recommend that online store now.

  • Whoah, on all counts.

  • you mean whoahdalayheehooooo ?
    :)

  • The information overload is only for Google.

  • My issue with the Surly is that the spring seems to be identical to one used on caliper brakes, and it's not really up to the long-term task asked of it. Basically the leverage required for a tensioner is greater than what I feel the tolerances of the Surly spring are for it's working life. I like the notion of using a spring with a long arm at the end to increase the leverage power of the tensioner, this should make it more effective too.

    No probs with my surly, daily use for 3 years now on the same spring, its fine.

  • Yeah i use my Surly on my SS MTB which takes a hammering and never had a problem - but i do understand your logic based on the designs - the surly is such a well made bit of kit though

  • I have used the paul melvin,the surly and the rohloff. The melvin was best by far in quality and was my personal choice for long term use. Sadly i think its also the most expensive :(

  • That level of customer service possibly even exceeds Hub Jubs service. Phenomenal stuff, so I totally recommend that online store now.

    Agree completely, very friendly and informative.

  • OK, so the 4jeri (pronounced forgery) tensioner arrived, and it is brilliant.

    It fits easily, doesn't require mucking around with a bloody wrench (2 allen keys are all you need). It has a long arm spring making the leverage really something, so the tension is great. It looks better than the Surly (the frame is a glossy black and so is the 4jeri).

    It is just about perfect.

    The only minor thing is that the hoop guide on it cannot take a bolted 1/8th chain. So either you remove the bolted link or remove the hoop guide. I did neither as I had a failed Surly Singleator at hand and so I just took the guide from the Singleator for the 4jeri one and it works perfectly.

    Awesome product, awesome customer service from the guys at tartybikes.

  • Sorry, had to :P

  • Guys, i'm really hoping someone can help, the pic below is my Trek frame with a vertical drop out (with separate gear hanger). I have a 44 tooth chain ring up front and a 15 tooth cog at the back, the problem is; the chain tensioner doesn't seem to be doing the job, the chain jumps with hardly any pressure at all.
    My opinion is that if I got a different tensioner with two jockey wheels, rather than the basic one I have at the moment, the problem could be solved, what do you think?
    https://a1uk.net/secim/Geogabby/DSC00684.JPG

  • Is that a fixed cog - you should never run a fixed set up with a tensioner, only with SS.

    If it is SS, then you need to take some links out the chain as the tensioner should be closer to the chainstay

  • No, it's not fixed, just spacers and single speed cog on a standard Shimano 8 speed +hub.

  • Here's another pic

  • Just take out a couple of links so that the tensioner is nice and tight to the chain stay - i know this is a different tensioner, but you get the idea

  • Thanks villain, i'm pretty relieved to hear that suggestion, I was prepared to shell out another 50 bucks for a different tensioner.

  • Where can I buy an Echo chain tensioner ?
    Cheers Stevie.

  • Does anyone have feedback on how hard/easy wheel removal is with the various types of chain tensioner? I've got an old frame that I want to be able to use SS or with a hub gear, vertical dropouts obviously. I do have a 9 speed MTB RD kicking around for a cheap and cheerful solution but quite liked the look of ones like the Surly Singulator, in push up mode.

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Best Chain Tensioner?

Posted by Avatar for Velocio @Velocio

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