Tensioners!!!

[Sobot_FR]

I'va managed to break my DMR tension seeker. Popped up for an abubaca, and had to jump off the back of the bike, and my pants got caught on the springy little thing, which bent the Sh*t out of it.

So I loosen off the tensioner, and try to bend the thing back, then after doing so, I re-tighten the tensioner, and pop! the little springy thing falls off. So I try to take it off, and now my bolt is COMPLETELY rounded out! DAMNIT!

So now I can't do anything about it:D

I guess I'm going to have to go back to the shop, and get them to somehow get the tensioner off.

Now, I don't want to go back to gears... it's a bit heavier and I like the simplicity of SS. So now I need a new tensioner.

I was thinking about this one: http://www.rennendesigngroup.com/rollen_info.html

it looks really well built, and aparently it's strong enough to grind on... for only $50USD.

But now there's another question. Can the Rennen tension down? in all the pics on the website, it's tensioning "up".

The DMR could tension both up and down, so I had to tension "down" because the chain would hit my chainstay with the least amount of chain possible, I even tried a half link... close, but just didn't fit.

Thoughts?

Thanks for any input:)

[the flying moose]

i dont see why not. it says on the site "- Wide roller groove allows range of chain-line options." if its tensioning up then i see no reason why you cant just move the chain under the roller instead of on top of the roller.

[Sobot_FR]

Yeah, I can see that, but in this picture
http://www.rennendesigngroup.com/images/image001.jpg

it doesn't look like it can tension down a whole lot... I'm looking at the bolt tht attaches onto the derailleur hanger, it doesn't look like there's much space to move.

But in a way, I think i'd be able to figure something out.

Does anyone have one of thse? Or know anyone with one?

[DangerousDean]

why buy one when you can make your own
http://www.pbase.com/dangerousdean/image/18917634

i just used part of my old dmr guide, if you got some scrap aluminum from a machine shop though you could make one almost the exact same as that rennen one.
for almost free

[Sobot_FR]

^^ Yeah, that could work. But I'd rather buy something that I know will last (which I'm hoping the rennen will) instead of making something of my own, which I'm sure I'll have to fix, and re-build all the time.:) The only tensioner that I could buy at the time before, was the DMR, and a friend of mine was using one, and he had no problems for a while... but I realized that products that break by getting your pants caught in them aren't good to buy :D My pants didn't even rip, thats how weak the thing was.:mad:

[DangerousDean]

Originally posted by Sobot_FR
^^ Yeah, that could work. But I'd rather buy something that I know will last (which I'm hoping the rennen will) instead of making something of my own, which I'm sure I'll have to fix, and re-build all the time.:) The only tensioner that I could buy at the time before, was the DMR, and a friend of mine was using one, and he had no problems for a while... but I realized that products that break by getting your pants caught in them aren't good to buy :D My pants didn't even rip, thats how weak the thing was.:mad:

pfft, mine worked better then the dmr crappy ones :(
just because it isnt pretty doesnt mean it down PWN THE REST

[Sobot_FR]

No I didn't say it wouldn't work better than the DMR ones.

I've just heard some really good things about the Rennen, and it looks really well built. Kyle Strait uses one too... or he did:???:

The home-made ones aren't really adjustable though

[KOW49]

that one will tension down. just depends on how far down it has to tension. If it doesnt quite tension enough just take a drill the same size as the slot hole and continue the slot for movement.

[Sobot_FR]

^^ the drilling could work, hmmm. I'm probably just gonna order it.

hopefully it'll tension down, or else maybe I'll just try another chain? That might work too, some differen't BMX chains can be shorter than others.

[DangerousDean]

Originally posted by Sobot_FR
^^ the drilling could work, hmmm. I'm probably just gonna order it.

hopefully it'll tension down, or else maybe I'll just try another chain? That might work too, some differen't BMX chains can be shorter than others.

it most likely won't tension it down as is.. it will have to be modified (thats if your frame is a 03?)

[Sobot_FR]

Originally posted by DangerousDean
it most likely won't tension it down as is.. it will have to be modified (thats if your frame is a 03?)

I don't get it, why would it be any different on a 2003? other than the horozontal dropouts on the '04?

[Sobot_FR]

Whoa, actually, I think that it would work even better on the 2003 because of how far back the der-hanger is

[KOW49]

ok what size rear gear and front gear are you using? and whats the radius of the rear gear? also how far is the chain away from the chainstay. how far away will the chain have to be (when tensioned) from the chain stay. and finally whats the distance from the center of your axle to the derailur hole in your dropout.

[Sobot_FR]

^^ *jaw drop*

Do you really want me to do that?:eek:

[GRIZZ]

simple design why not make one on your own? or look at a surly, i played around with haxors and it works mint now, and it all closed in and can take a pretty good beating

[DangerousDean]

Originally posted by Sobot_FR
I don't get it, why would it be any different on a 2003? other than the horozontal dropouts on the '04?

i dunno, but my bro has 03' and when he has ss, it had to be tensioned down (he has a surly) ..and it was quite a ways down , and that renne one looks like it doesnt tension down very much

[Shmoe]

The rennen is supposed to be really good, Id go with that one personally.

[Sobot_FR]

Well, if it was tensioned down pretty far, wouldn't that be because the chain was a bit long?

here's mine with the DMR:

http://www.pinkbike.com/modules/photo/?op=view&image=278065

This might be a better pic:
http://www.pinkbike.com/modules/photo/?op=view&image=273939

[XXX_er]

hey check this one out

http://www.hcor.net/modules.php?set_albumName=album101&op=modload&name=Photos&file=index&include=view_album.php&page=2

and check out that drag bike

[PegCityThrasher]

Why not just design more frames with horz/sliding dropouts?
:rolleyes:

[Sobot_FR]

^^ Ummm, yeah, but I'd rather spend $70 for a tensioner, instead of buying a new frame?

I already have my good frame, I got a sweet deal on it, but guess what, it's got verts, so I want to make the best of it.

[Sobot_FR]

Ok... I've managed to "fix" my DMR tension seeker... and I got the bolt out with a glue gun (don't ask)

Since I'm not happy with the performance, I think I'll treat myself to a Rennen for Christmas, because I know I'll break the DMR again.



Thanks