Polo/robust chain tensioners

Anyone got any suggestions on a decent tensioner for polo?

I found the DMR Tension Seeker, looks quite robust, think Sandy used to have it? It's quite expensive thou I'd say at £20..

Ben suggested rockstar bikeparts, but I cant find a tensioner of by them for sale online..

I know I got a quite weak looking thing laying around, maybe on could use it or chopped derailleur and make some kind of guard for it?

Any suggestions?

I think you mean superstar.

http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/index.php?cPath=58

I say start by using the derailer, replace it when it stops working!? :)

You can get derailer guards, I've got a couple of kids bikes with them. Might be able to fit them to mud guard eyelets? Might be worth heading to a place like recycled cycles in elephant and castle... Somewhere with loads of old bikes... Even with a tensioner a derailer guard is probably a good idea?

Using the on one tensioner, looks identical to the dmr one. Seems pretty burly, seems to be holding up well.

DMR tensioner is solid. Slight pain when taking the wheel off but nothing to worry about.

I've never used one myself, but I've seen several with stripped bolts. I seem to remember the bolt/nut are like an oversized chainring bolt with few threads and made of aluminium.

Could just be people being hamfisted though. Paul's Melvin might be worth a look (potential to run a front mech and two chainrings on the front for polo/riding around too). At least double the price of the DMR though.

Several what with stripped bolts?

Sounds like danwentskiing is talking about the DMR tensioner.

I think you mean superstar.

http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/index.php?cPath=58

yep.

£10 n free shipping.. sounds good, have you got anything of that homepage?

I say start by using the derailer, replace it when it stops working!? :)

You can get derailer guards, I've got a couple of kids bikes with them. Might be able to fit them to mud guard eyelets? Might be worth heading to a place like recycled cycles in elephant and castle... Somewhere with loads of old bikes... Even with a tensioner a derailer guard is probably a good idea?

Yep, good to know what to do when it happens thou^^ yea I've seen those kids ones aswell, gonna keep my eye open for one of those.

DMRs are a slightly different setup. It actually gets attached at 3 points. You put your QR skewer through it which is why it's a bit of a pain changing wheels. Mine was well built and you'd have to be extremely cack-handed to fuck up any of the bolts.

i used to use one of these, seem pretty thick and strong never had a problem with it

http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/ebwPNLqrymode.a4p?f_ProductID=12204&f_FullProductVersion=1

get an old/knackered rear mech saw the bottom jockey wheel off secure with a bit of old cable, cheap, effective and enviromentally friendly through recyling. shall post pic if i can

yeh do, i though you used the bottom wheel and am a little confused now.

couple of pics of mine, not amazing sorry.

u can replace the jocky wheel with an mrp roller as well to make it a bit neater/secure.

been to a couple of throw in sessions with this and commuted on it and had no problems. and cost 10 mins with a hack saw
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now i'm with you. looks great.

I like that, is there a better way to lock out the deraileur than just the cable though? I'm worried that if it got pushed towards the wheel in some close combat, it could try to shift the chain off the main cog. Looks really good though. I guess you could just get one for free from your lbs. Oh and crimp that cable 4 realz.

i wondered if a spoke might fit / work?

what drill through the body, slot in a spoke and bend at the ends?

i think you could just lock down the limit screws?...

no no, no no no no, no no no no, no no there's no limit screws that can adjust that much. even on lock down.

perhaps if you got some really long screws...

I ran a chopped derailleur as a ghetto single speed mod for my what was then my work bike. Worked fine for about a week 'til a workmate dropped his bike on it, making me think it might not be a long term sturdy option for a polo.

Used a DMR tensioner for a few months, didn't have any problems with bolts stripping/similiar and it seemed pretty tough. Sadly someone effing nicked it!

Currently using the Superstar option. Been on my street/jump bike for 3 months which takes a fair hammering not disimiliar to polo and it's been fine, tho' it's a wee bit noisy. Also got a nice wide roller that gives you a bit of flexibility on chain line. I reckon a bit of a bargain for a tenner!

i have used the dmr tensioner on both on road and off road ss bikes i found it to be quite reliable but found a better solution with http://www.wiggle.co.uk/surly-singleator-chain-tensioner/ because there isnt a sprocket on the dmr just a runner i found if there is too much abuse it can still skip out accidently whereas while i had it i never managed to loose tension with the surly, although i do still keep a spare dmr tensioner just in case because they are sooo simple

i think the problem with using the top wheel on a mech like that is less teeth on the chain and the fact that its sprung means more chance of you chain skipping especially on the charge, beter to leave boh wheels on or use a proper chain tensioner