Chain tensioner recommendation?

Miggins
Miggins Posts: 433
edited September 2010 in MTB buying advice
I'm after a chain tensioner for my 2010 Trek 6300. I don't want one that is BB mounted or incorporates a bash-guard as I already have a BB mounted bash-guard (one of these http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=31508 but the BB mounted version). Not too fussed about the price if it's good quality and does what it's supposed to do. Thanks in advance.
After uphill there's downhill

Comments

  • Miggins
    Miggins Posts: 433
    It looks like I'm asking too much, then. Would I have to ditch my existing bash-guard and replace with something else, do you think?
    After uphill there's downhill
  • whyamihere
    whyamihere Posts: 7,716
    Assuming you're running a full complement of gears, there's nothing that's going to tension your chain better than the rear mech as long as your chain's the right length. What's the actual problem?
  • Miggins
    Miggins Posts: 433
    edited September 2010
    whyamihere wrote:
    Assuming you're running a full complement of gears.......What's the actual problem?

    I am running all 27 gears; 3 x 9. Problem is when I bounce fast over rocks and roots, the chain is slapping the chain-stay. It's not creating any drive problem at all but it'd be nice to get rid of the slapping.
    After uphill there's downhill
  • peter413
    peter413 Posts: 4,909
    Wrap the chainstay in an old innertube or a chainstay protector :wink:
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  • rudedog
    rudedog Posts: 523
    I cut a section of low profile 15mm pipe insulation and cable tied this to my chainstay and then covered it with a cheap neoprene chainstay protector - hardly makes any chain slap noise now.
  • Miggins
    Miggins Posts: 433
    Thanks guys. I have a chainstay protector but the issue I have is to prevent the chain from bouncing up and down in the first place. I'm assuming that's what a chain tensioner does and is designed for, but like I say, it's an assumption. Am I barking up the wrong tree?
    After uphill there's downhill
  • chedabob
    chedabob Posts: 1,133
    On a 3x9 setup, I don't think you've got much choice. Blackspire Stinger is the only 2x9 one I'm aware of.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    Stinger still won't stop chainslap, it just reduces the chances of the slap causing the chain to come off the rings.
  • chedabob
    chedabob Posts: 1,133
    yeehaamcgee wrote:
    Stinger still won't stop chainslap, it just reduces the chances of the slap causing the chain to come off the rings.

    Doesn't it keep the chain tight to the chainring teeth?

    I came to the conclusion the noise on my bike was caused by the chain going slack and then banging off the chainring teeth. Even with a neoprene protector it still made the noise, and there's nowhere else for the chain to hit.
  • MarkLG
    MarkLG Posts: 189
    Gear selection can help - using the big ring rather than the middle on rough ground will increase chain tension and reduce chain slap. Also check the chain length to see if you can safely lose any links.
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    chedabob wrote:
    yeehaamcgee wrote:
    Stinger still won't stop chainslap, it just reduces the chances of the slap causing the chain to come off the rings.

    Doesn't it keep the chain tight to the chainring teeth?

    I came to the conclusion the noise on my bike was caused by the chain going slack and then banging off the chainring teeth. Even with a neoprene protector it still made the noise, and there's nowhere else for the chain to hit.
    It will still slap against the chainstay though.
  • chedabob
    chedabob Posts: 1,133
    yeehaamcgee wrote:
    chedabob wrote:
    yeehaamcgee wrote:
    Stinger still won't stop chainslap, it just reduces the chances of the slap causing the chain to come off the rings.

    Doesn't it keep the chain tight to the chainring teeth?

    I came to the conclusion the noise on my bike was caused by the chain going slack and then banging off the chainring teeth. Even with a neoprene protector it still made the noise, and there's nowhere else for the chain to hit.
    It will still slap against the chainstay though.

    But if there's a chainstay protector on, no more noise?
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    Hmm, true. I guess if there's two sources of noise, then best thing to do would be to eliminate both.
    I don't actually have chainstays on mine though, so chainslap was never an issue. And I never heard the chain slapping on the chainrings - but our setups might vary wildly.
  • Miggins
    Miggins Posts: 433
    Sounds to me like it's something I'll have to live with. It's not a problem; the chain's not coming off, it's just annoying.
    MarkLG wrote:
    Gear selection can help - using the big ring rather than the middle on rough ground will increase chain tension and reduce chain slap. Also check the chain length to see if you can safely lose any links.
    I'll keep the big ring idea in mind and maybe look into losing some links if it's do-able.

    Thanks all 8)
    After uphill there's downhill

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