Vertical Dropouts - Chain Tension

nonnac85
nonnac85 Posts: 1,608
edited March 2009 in MTB workshop & tech
Am looking into building up a singlespeed bike from a frame. I have found a decent frame on the net but it has vertical dropouts. I've been told I cannot run the bike singlespeed without a chain tensioner becaure of the vertical dropouts. I thought you could just take links out of the chain until it was short enough?!
Am I missing something here?
Cheers!
My Website - Trail Centre info for the UK: MTB Trail Time

Comments

  • The Big Cheese
    The Big Cheese Posts: 8,650
    you have to run a tensioner. It would be impossible to get the chain EXACTLY the same length needed as the chain stay length doesn't work on multiple measurement(s) of a chain link. Any aversion to running a tensioner?
  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    Cheesey isn't quite right, but the alternatives are fairly expensive.

    You can fit an eccentric bottom bracket housing, so you can get the offest there, or use a white eno hub (circa £110) which has an eccentric axle, or you can use a chainguide with a lower jockey wheel and tension the chain there rather than at the dropout,
  • nonnac85
    nonnac85 Posts: 1,608
    No aversion to a tensioner - just wanted to check if the information i was given was correct. Thanks for your explanation - It makes sense now why one is needed.
    My Website - Trail Centre info for the UK: MTB Trail Time
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    or you can fit a half link and hope.

    Or you can find the perfect gear and it is just right.


    here is mine.


    pbpic3093894.jpg
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • dave_hill
    dave_hill Posts: 3,877
    You can fit an eccentric bottom bracket housing, so you can get the offest there

    Er, well, only if the BB shell is big enough to accept one...
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  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    dave_hill wrote:
    You can fit an eccentric bottom bracket housing, so you can get the offest there

    Er, well, only if the BB shell is big enough to accept one...

    nope there are ones to fit Euro bb shells. as well as the more common BMX bb.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • cee
    cee Posts: 4,553
    a mate of mine ss'd his chameleon but uses an old rear mech as a tensioner....

    its cable tied up to the chainstay to keep it out of the way.
    Whenever I see an adult on a bicycle, I believe in the future of the human race.

    H.G. Wells.
  • nonnac85
    nonnac85 Posts: 1,608
    Thanks people - it all makes sense now. Will be getting a tensioner sometime soon!
    My Website - Trail Centre info for the UK: MTB Trail Time
  • dave_hill
    dave_hill Posts: 3,877
    nicklouse wrote:
    nope there are ones to fit Euro bb shells. as well as the more common BMX bb.

    There you go, you see? Learn something every day if you aren't careful!!
    Give a home to a retired Greyhound. Tia Greyhound Rescue
    Help for Heroes
    JayPic