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jkizzle
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Joined: 29 Oct 2007
Posts: 519
Location: I.L.L.
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 Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 5:09 pm Post subject: Chain slack on SS MTB |
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How much slack should i have on a single speed mountain bike chain?
Taut or a little wiggle room? |
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brokebike
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Joined: 21 Oct 2007
Posts: 2434
Location: local
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| Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 5:19 pm Post subject: |
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same as a fixed... somewhere in the range of 1/4" deflection (give or take a bit) should be about right.
a chain should never really be "taut" IMO.
slack chains aren't as detrimental as too-tight chains.
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jkizzle
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Joined: 29 Oct 2007
Posts: 519
Location: I.L.L.
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| Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 10:38 pm Post subject: |
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| Well i know some track riders have some substantial slack due to the amount of torque they put on the chain, didnt know if there was similarities taking a mountain bike up a hill. I guess the substantially lower gear ratio negates that though. Thanks |
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sailorjames
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Joined: 15 Nov 2007
Posts: 329
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| Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 8:38 am Post subject: |
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| Slack is better than taught, running it too tight runs the risk of damaging your bottom bracket/hub bearings since only having one speed forces you to put tremendous torque on those pieces vs. just gearing down. |
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elzie5000
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Joined: 25 Oct 2007
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| Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 9:46 am Post subject: |
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| jkizzle wrote: | | Well i know some track riders have some substantial slack due to the amount of torque they put on the chain, |
It has nothing to do with torque. Track riders typically run their chains with more slack to reduce friction as much as possible and because they're riding on a perfectly smooth surface so there's less chance of throwing the chain.
Brokebike's 1/4" suggestion is a good rule of thumb for a mountain bike. I usually have double that on my alleycat bike and have never had a chain problem. |
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brokebike
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Joined: 21 Oct 2007
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| Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 11:34 am Post subject: |
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| elzie5000 wrote: | | Brokebike's 1/4" suggestion is a good rule of thumb for a mountain bike. I usually have double that on my alleycat bike and have never had a chain problem. |
yeah, I had originally typed 1/4" - 1/2" as a good range, but then considered that, though unlikely, depending on how low of a gearing you would be running on a SS mtn bike, you might get some chain slap issues.
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politicalhero
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Joined: 22 Oct 2007
Posts: 657
Location: Sexy Lexi on the Southside
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| Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 11:54 am Post subject: |
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| elzie5000 wrote: |
on my alleycat bike and have never had a chain problem. |
Insert coaster brake joke here! |
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elzie5000
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Joined: 25 Oct 2007
Posts: 1177
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| Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 12:32 pm Post subject: |
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| politicalhero wrote: | | Insert coaster brake joke here! |
Just for that, expect pics of my junk on your camera when you pick it up. |
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