Chain tensioner. Are these decent?

coolatt · 07-22-2009, 04:23 PM

Looks like the Stinger is the most popular of these two. Are there any other types that I should look at?

I don't have any ISCG mounts on my frame.

BS Stinger
http://www.blackspire.com/qs/product/83/5947/263221/0/0

Dmn Chain Tensioner. Chainstay mount.
http://www.bikeparts.com/search_resu...p?ID=BPC318792

DaveM · 07-22-2009, 04:38 PM

Stinger

cheap $30
available anywhere
works perfectly. I've got them on 2 bikes and have never had a single issue in 2 years.

It's meant to be used in conjunction with a front derailleur though.

rewoga · 07-22-2009, 04:50 PM

another vote for the stinger. That "DMN" thing looks kinda "Wal-Mart"

mr_fungle · 07-22-2009, 05:07 PM

Another vote for the Stinger - haven't dropped a chain since I slapped it on the Remedy.

biggles604 · 07-22-2009, 05:22 PM

I''ve probably bought a dozen stingers in the past, one for all my bikes, and a load for friends who didn't have one. Every single person I know that tries it, loves it.

coolatt · 07-22-2009, 06:38 PM

Great thanks. Looks like I'll get the Stinger

kperras · 07-22-2009, 08:44 PM

Those two chain "tensioners" are for different applications. The blackspire one is to be used with a front derailleur and gears, as DaveM pointed out. The other one is meant for a single speed application on frames that don't have a way of tensioning the chain with either horizonal dropouts or a eccentric BB.

ESHER SHORE · 07-22-2009, 08:49 PM

that DMN device is actually of a rip-off of a product that was very popular here in the UK during the mid 1990s and was called a DCD (Dave's Chain Device - named after UK rider Dave Hemmings) and manufactured by Mr. Crud (Crudcatcher - Pete Tomkins)

it actually worked pretty well for the time, by applying some tension to the chain, which in turned applied tension to the rear derailleur

Bullet Bros. then followed up with their own chain tensioner which was a long aluminium alloy plate mounted on the rear wheel axle (the plate sat horizontally away from the dropout, pointing backwards) and the end of the plate had a spring which clipped onto the lower portion of the rear derailleur cage, to provide extra spring tension to the mech

people are spoiled rotten by modern systems from MRP and E13

KevinB · 07-22-2009, 11:45 PM

I have a stinger on my bighit and I haven't even noticed it's there which IMO is a good thing. I had a look at it the other day, turns out I have bashed it really hard somewhere along the way and it's bent pretty badly, and it hasn't made a difference to how well it works.

ChunkyMonkey · 07-22-2009, 11:51 PM

Word of warning. I couldn't make the stinger work with GXP Stylos and a 73 mm bb. Crank bolt starts pushing hard on the bearings before starting to tighten up - no spacers. Adding spacers makes the problem worse.

flattire · 07-23-2009, 12:49 AM

how much noise does the stinger add to the drivetrain? any?

FullMonty · 07-23-2009, 03:04 AM

a bit at the extremes of the cassette probably, the chain is bound to run into the edges on the roller. a 68mm bb shell helps a bunch too, because I've run into numerous problems trying to run dual-ring guides on 73mm shells.

biggles604 · 07-23-2009, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChunkyMonkey

Word of warning. I couldn't make the stinger work with GXP Stylos and a 73 mm bb. Crank bolt starts pushing hard on the bearings before starting to tighten up - no spacers. Adding spacers makes the problem worse.

Stylos use 2 spacers for a 68mm shell, and none for a 73mm. Since the stinger replaces a spacer, there won't be enough spindle left for proper crank tightening, which will cause your crank to become loose and damaged. I learned that one the hard way.
The same will apply to any 73mm crankset that installs in that way.
If you want to install it, you could face 3mm off the BB shell.

mrraulduke · 07-23-2009, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biggles604

Stylos use 2 spacers for a 68mm shell, and none for a 73mm. Since the stinger replaces a spacer, there won't be enough spindle left for proper crank tightening, which will cause your crank to become loose and damaged. I learned that one the hard way.
The same will apply to any 73mm crankset that installs in that way.
If you want to install it, you could face 3mm off the BB shell.

i'm pretty sure shimano has 3 spacers.
all 3 for 68, 1 for 73, so when you want to run an e-type f. der or a stinger, you're good to go.
another reason why shimano cranksets rock!

biggles604 · 07-23-2009, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrraulduke

i'm pretty sure shimano has 3 spacers.
all 3 for 68, 1 for 73, so when you want to run an e-type f. der or a stinger, you're good to go.
another reason why shimano cranksets rock!

Yes, Shimano uses more spacers so you can tune the chainline better. They are more money though. Stylos are still the best value crankset out there. Strong, cheap, light, and can take a beating, but lack some features that others have.

07-22-2009, 04:23 PM	#1
coolatt Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: I'm over here Posts: 853 Rep Power: 161916	Chain tensioner. Are these decent? Looks like the Stinger is the most popular of these two. Are there any other types that I should look at? I don't have any ISCG mounts on my frame. BS Stinger http://www.blackspire.com/qs/product/83/5947/263221/0/0 Dmn Chain Tensioner. Chainstay mount. http://www.bikeparts.com/search_resu...p?ID=BPC318792

07-22-2009, 04:38 PM	#2
DaveM www.davemackie.ca Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Coquitlam Posts: 13,901 Rep Power: 15268536	Stinger cheap $30 available anywhere works perfectly. I've got them on 2 bikes and have never had a single issue in 2 years. It's meant to be used in conjunction with a front derailleur though. __________________ www.davemackie.ca

07-22-2009, 08:49 PM	#8
ESHER SHORE Building and 'biking Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: London, England Posts: 1,430 Rep Power: 8789	that DMN device is actually of a rip-off of a product that was very popular here in the UK during the mid 1990s and was called a DCD (Dave's Chain Device - named after UK rider Dave Hemmings) and manufactured by Mr. Crud (Crudcatcher - Pete Tomkins) it actually worked pretty well for the time, by applying some tension to the chain, which in turned applied tension to the rear derailleur Bullet Bros. then followed up with their own chain tensioner which was a long aluminium alloy plate mounted on the rear wheel axle (the plate sat horizontally away from the dropout, pointing backwards) and the end of the plate had a spring which clipped onto the lower portion of the rear derailleur cage, to provide extra spring tension to the mech people are spoiled rotten by modern systems from MRP and E13 __________________ Mythic / Da Kine / Esher Shore / Freeborn http://hampsteadbandit.blogspot.com/

07-23-2009, 03:04 AM	#12
FullMonty I'm Surrey-ous. Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 10,211 Rep Power: 10788875	a bit at the extremes of the cassette probably, the chain is bound to run into the edges on the roller. a 68mm bb shell helps a bunch too, because I've run into numerous problems trying to run dual-ring guides on 73mm shells. __________________ Check my stuff for sale!

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07-22-2009, 05:07 PM	#4
mr_fungle eurotrash in canucklestan Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: NVLOC Posts: 5,393 Rep Power: 4440342	Another vote for the Stinger - haven't dropped a chain since I slapped it on the Remedy.

07-22-2009, 05:22 PM	#5
biggles604 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 11,506 Rep Power: 5733283	I''ve probably bought a dozen stingers in the past, one for all my bikes, and a load for friends who didn't have one. Every single person I know that tries it, loves it.

07-22-2009, 06:38 PM	#6
coolatt Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: I'm over here Posts: 853 Rep Power: 161916	Great thanks. Looks like I'll get the Stinger

07-22-2009, 08:44 PM	#7
kperras I stole Rewoga's avatar Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NV > Sooke. Posts: 7,044 Rep Power: 3012341	Those two chain "tensioners" are for different applications. The blackspire one is to be used with a front derailleur and gears, as DaveM pointed out. The other one is meant for a single speed application on frames that don't have a way of tensioning the chain with either horizonal dropouts or a eccentric BB.

07-22-2009, 11:45 PM	#9
KevinB Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kamloops Posts: 50 Rep Power: 0	I have a stinger on my bighit and I haven't even noticed it's there which IMO is a good thing. I had a look at it the other day, turns out I have bashed it really hard somewhere along the way and it's bent pretty badly, and it hasn't made a difference to how well it works.

07-22-2009, 11:51 PM	#10
ChunkyMonkey Slayer'n it! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Currently at large Posts: 2,257 Rep Power: 255767	Word of warning. I couldn't make the stinger work with GXP Stylos and a 73 mm bb. Crank bolt starts pushing hard on the bearings before starting to tighten up - no spacers. Adding spacers makes the problem worse.

07-23-2009, 12:49 AM	#11
flattire Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Port moody Posts: 533 Rep Power: 604469	how much noise does the stinger add to the drivetrain? any?

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