Chain tensioner with 4 inch stretch

[section8joe]

Im building my first bike and I'm wondering if I need a chain tensioner. I'm using a david bird hardtail with a 4 inch stretch. What do you guys think. What kind do you recommend? I'm not talking about the axle plate tensioners. Im referring to the ones that are a skateboard wheel or a cog that keep the actual chain tight.

 

[deacon883]

It sorta depends on how close your fender is to your tire. I'm using a 5" trailer fender over an 18" wheel and tire, so I've got maybe 5/8" of clearance. I like the look so I don't have alot of room to use the axle plate chain tensioners so I'm using a frame mounted tensioner from monstercraftsman.com . Another factor to consider is that the XS doesn't have the cush drive system in the rear hub like the CB750, so that long a chain can really get some whip goin on and running a looser chain with the spring loaded tensioner alleviates that effect. I have a G&L hardtail, but I really like the look of the david bird unit, I wish it had been on the market earlier...

 

[AussieHard]

I am planning on using a spring loaded tensioner with wheel, there is a solid black wheel available rather than use the skate board wheel. I think these will last longer than a sprocket version and might be safe should the chain break or something go wrong.

I posted a thread on this very topic about 3-4wks ago got a lot of info, if you want to look through my threads.

 

[Salty Dog]

I put a chain tensioner on my first build and it works really good. Its' a 6" stretch so it kind of needed it. Just to see if it worked I had a buddy ride the bike and hit the gas and let go of the gas and if that tensioner wasnt there it would be slappin around bad.

 

[deacon883]

Aussiehard, IMHO the steel sprocket will outlast a plastic urethane skateboard wheel by a factor of at least 20. My son skates and I see how often he has to replace his wheels and bearings.

 

[Salty Dog]

I rode my bike with the skate board wheel as the tensionerall summer last year and it hasn't even made a groove on the wheel and it still spins freely.