Shimano alfine chain tension

PudseyPaul
PudseyPaul Posts: 59
edited March 2010 in The workshop
I ride a bianchi camaleonte alfine hybrid bike which has an alfine hub gear fitted. After six months of riding the chain has become more loose, something I was told would happen from a friend who had one on a badboy. I have found that you can rotate the bit near the crank to alter chain tension however I still can't seem to get it tight enough. Therefore do I need a new chain or does someone have any other idea? By the way it doesn't have a shimano chain tensioner fitted

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    edited March 2010
    what adjustment does it have?

    eccentric BB?
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • PudseyPaul
    PudseyPaul Posts: 59
    It just unbolts from frame and then the crank cylinder can rotate? Unsure of what the technical term is
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    like this?
    Bbshim3.jpg
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • PudseyPaul
    PudseyPaul Posts: 59
    Yes exactly that
  • bill_gates
    bill_gates Posts: 469
    What do you use to turn that? Is there a special tool?

    "I like riding in my car, it's not quite a Jaguar."
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    OK and you have rotated it to give max tension so the axle is fully forward (3 O'clock) and you need more tension?

    new chain time.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • PudseyPaul
    PudseyPaul Posts: 59
    Yeah I mean the chain isn't falling off but you can feel the flex when riding. Do you know if you need a specific chain for these? Thanks for all your help by the way
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    about 1/2" up and down half way along one chain run is normal.

    any single speed chain like the Sram PC1 will be fine.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • MichaelW
    MichaelW Posts: 2,164
    If you have the Eccentric bottom bracket adjusted fully to the front and still have too much slack in the chain, you need to shorten the chain.
    First make sure your chain is not worn out (use a chain guage at a good bike shop)
    If the chain has plenty of life you need to shorten it.
    Removing a whole link is usually too much so you can get special "half links".
    Most half links are for wider chains so if you have a 3/32" chain make sure you get the correct size.
    You need to be able to break and rivet a chain using a chain tool.
    If you are asking this question, it is probably a job best left to a good bike shop.

    Counting the correct number of links when installing a half-link can be infuriating and you can end up with one link to few in your chain. GRRRR been there.

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