Chain tension - half link

[greg9]

Is it possible to run a singlespeed setup in vertical dropouts by using a half link to get the correct chain tesion? Does a singlespeed tesioner still need to be used?

Has anybody tried it?

Cheers

Greg

[tomacropod]

you have double the chance of getting perfect tension without a tensioner if you're prepared to use a half-link.

While this is less of a problem with the compact drivetrains of trials bikes, remember that not all chainrings and cogs are completely round due to imperfect manufacturing processes and this means that you may have different tensions at different stages of your pedal stroke. This doesn't matter with a spring tensioner but it can mean your chain is too tight/loose at any given point with a tensioner-less drivetrain.

good luck, a half-link costs like 7 cents so it's a cheap experiment anyway.

- Joel

[felix]

I had bad luck with half links. They snapped easily.

[greg9]

I had bad luck with half links. They snapped easily.
What chain were you using? Im going to try with my KMC Kool 3/32 -

http://parts.spicercycles.com/site/intro.cfm?PageID=37&SKU=CH4104

Thanks

Greg

[rush]

See Joels Signature.

[felix]

What chain were you using? Im going to try with my KMC Kool 3/32 -

http://parts.spicercycles.com/site/intro.cfm?PageID=37&SKU=CH4104

Thanks

Greg
I used such a half link on a Izumi bmx chain and it didn't last very long.
Just get a tensioner.

http://www.observedtrials.net/otn2/halflink.jpg

[tomacropod]

:run:

my signature takes another victim.

make sure you get the right-sized half link then, most of them will be designed for 1/8" chains. whoops, looks like you've found the right one.

The chain type shouldn't matter if it was the half-links that were breaking. Danscomp.com or staff-bmx.com or flatlandfuel.com should have quality half-links.

- Joel

[ACR]

i am using a halflink from dan's comp and it has held up.

[such]

Id recommend using a tensioner. Rennen if possible.
Right now Im using a half link setup. The problem is not in breaking a half link (if you get a quality one) but in chain tension. You see, when you remove tensioner and put half link - setup WILL be ok, but chain will NOT be 100% tight. That means when you kick you will lose some time until chain tightens and engages your hub. Meaning you dont have engagement you should have

but Ive allready used to this and it isnt really BIG problem

[CoppellStereo]

I had bad luck with half links. They snapped easily.
i snapped one too, it was a shadow half link.

setup WILL be ok, but chain will NOT be 100% tight
you dont want your chain tension to be 100% tight, or your chain will break even more, you want it just tight enough were when you pedal kick, you dont hear the chain making a snapping sound, if you want to put a % on it like you did, i would say abuot 66% tight. I learned this with my horizontal dropouts on my single speed frame, and now on my WI Eccentric Hub, having the chain too tight was the reason my half-link snapped

[such]

Yeah - youre right about 100%. It makes sense. But what I ment is that I notice chain not beeing tensioned when I kick - and thats bad.
And about percentage - thats pretty much individual. Id definitely get it more than 66 as Im runing interlock (many halflinks :).
A good test about chain tension is try to turn pedals backwards (rear freehub!) Pedals should keep spining as much as chain tensioned 20%
I hope you understood, and that Ive helped :-)

[David Weyman]

:rant2:

[MegamoMidwest]

you can't loose a half link off there? oh well, all the more chain wrap.

[David Weyman]

Good observation, I bet it's stretched enough by now, I'm gonna try to take a link out and ditch the Rennen........ or if more chain wrap is better........??

[MegamoMidwest]

less chain links makes for a stiffer feeling drive train. the rule of thumb is the less links the better, chain wrap isnt really that big a deal with such small rings.

[greg9]

How thick metal is the rennen tensioner made out of because it looks very easy to make?

Cheers

Greg

[Elan]

it looks to be as thick as your derf hangor

[greg9]

I found out that the tensioner is made out of 1/4" aluminium.

How strong is the rennen tensioner compared to say a surly tensioner if you land on them?

Cheers for the reply's

Greg

[CoppellStereo]

Yeah - youre right about 100%. It makes sense. But what I ment is that I notice chain not beeing tensioned when I kick - and thats bad.
And about percentage - thats pretty much individual. Id definitely get it more than 66 as Im runing interlock (many halflinks :).
A good test about chain tension is try to turn pedals backwards (rear freehub!) Pedals should keep spining as much as chain tensioned 20%
I hope you understood, and that Ive helped :-)

hey, i know what you mean, i do the 'spin the pedals' backwards trick too

[Elan]

I found out that the tensioner is made out of 1/4" aluminium.

How strong is the rennen tensioner compared to say a surly tensioner if you land on them?

Cheers for the reply's

Greg
no one is going to break a tensioer when they land on them..thats what der. hangers are for. DERrrr

[rideitlikeyoustoleit]

sorry a bit off topic i have a kmc chain whith a s on it what is the name of it as i micht sell it

[rush]

That shadow chain looks so hot I would wear it for underwear.

[Poopslush]

:rofl:

[DanBowhers]

i have landed on the rennen, and its fine, as is the derf hanger.

[greg9]

Where is the cheapest place in the usa to purchase a rennen?

Thanks

Greg9