BMX chain tensioner?

[Tom]

BMX noob alert...

How do I go about keeping the chain tight?

[NooNer]

chain tugs ... least i think thats what they're called, horizontal dropouts right?

[Jeff M]

Chain tugs help with set-up, but you really don't need them. Most riders don't run them as they are unnecessary weight and because they bend easily on grinds. Just make sure the bolts are kept and you have decent seratted washers. If you can't seem to get the tension right make sure that the wheel isn't moving as you tighten the bolts. The bolts can pull the wheel along in the dropout if you're not careful.

The only bikes that truly need chain tensioners are mod trials bikes. Well, that and hokey single speeds with QR on horizontals.

The chain will gradually "loosen" over time as the drivetrain wears. This happens mainly when it is brand new and wearing in, after that is shouldn't require frequent attention unless you have uber-shitty components. Keep in mind that the chain should never be super tight as this will accelerate wear on everything. You should be able to push the bottom of the chain up a few millimetres with your finger.

[freakonaleash]

I only think tensioners are nessicary with a disk brake, because the wheel kinks. Anyways, if its backing off lots, than yah tensioners are the way to go. You can get em for like 20 bucks now

[Jeff M]

Actually freak the disk brake action forces the wheel backwards in the dropout, not forward (assuming conventional mounting). So a chain tensioner won't help, because it can only stop the wheel moving forwards.

In fact the tugs are often are the cause of rearward slippage because rather than a serrated steel bolt digging into the dropout you have a slick piece of anodized aluminum sliding over top of it.

[XXX_er]

don't forget to check the chain tension at several places on the front chain wheel ,reason being IF the chain wheel is at all out of round ,chain tension could be good in one position and TOO tight in another

[coverider18]

take a link out of the chain, its a single speed right?

[freakonaleash]

Actually freak the disk brake action forces the wheel backwards in the dropout, not forward (assuming conventional mounting). So a chain tensioner won't help, because it can only stop the wheel moving forwards.

In fact the tugs are often are the cause of rearward slippage because rather than a serrated steel bolt digging into the dropout you have a slick piece of anodized aluminum sliding over top of it.

Yah, but it keeps it from kinking. No clue how it works, no clue how the forces are, but some how, on my 1hun i had tensioners, and before i go them everytime i hit the rear brake itd kink.

[ESHER SHORE]

with my bmx, its hard to get a chain tug as the dropouts on modern bmxs are so tiny, and i run the wheel slammed forward for more "pop" on hops and airs

just lever a spanner between frame (back of b.b) and tire to tension the chain, and do them axle nuts up super tight

seems to work good