Chain Tensioning
- Thread starter Gulliver
- Start date
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Scilly Suffolk
Über Member
I'm afraid I know nothing about hub gears so can't answer your question directly; however I am curious as to why the chain needs to be tensioned.
I might be wrong, but wouldn't think that taking-up the slack in your chain is normal maintenance: has the wheel slipped or is the chain worn?
If the former, then obviously there will be enough slack in the cable; if the latter, then the chain needs to be replaced.
I might be wrong, but wouldn't think that taking-up the slack in your chain is normal maintenance: has the wheel slipped or is the chain worn?
If the former, then obviously there will be enough slack in the cable; if the latter, then the chain needs to be replaced.
Neither. My bicycle is quite new and the chain had stretched. In the event it was a very simple job since, as I suspected, the manufacturers had left sufficient slack in the cable where it passes underneath the crank to allow the rear wheel to be pulled back and secured in its new position by the bolts.
Many thanks,
Gulliver
Many thanks,
Gulliver
snorri
Legendary Member
- Location
- East coast, up a bit.
It seems unlikely the chain has stretched, if it appears longer than before, this is more likely due to wear. How many miles has it done?
betty swollocks
large member
You don't mention what bike or what type of hub gear you have.
Hub-geared bikes use a few different methods of adjusting chain tension, the most basic being simply undoing the wheel nuts and pulling the wheel further back in the drop outs. Doing this may also have the effect of taking your hub gear out of adjustment if its adjustment is dependent on cable tension. So, you may need to re-do the hub gear cable tension too.
Also be sure, after your work that the wheel nuts are done up tight and that the wheel is central between the chain stays.
Check also, if you have rim braking. that the pads are aligned properly with the wheel rims.
Hub-geared bikes use a few different methods of adjusting chain tension, the most basic being simply undoing the wheel nuts and pulling the wheel further back in the drop outs. Doing this may also have the effect of taking your hub gear out of adjustment if its adjustment is dependent on cable tension. So, you may need to re-do the hub gear cable tension too.
Also be sure, after your work that the wheel nuts are done up tight and that the wheel is central between the chain stays.
Check also, if you have rim braking. that the pads are aligned properly with the wheel rims.
simon.r
Person
- Location
- Nottingham
IME new chains stretch a fair bit (enough to have to adjust the tension on singlespeed / hub geared bikes) in the first 200 - 300 miles and then need adjusting very rarely until they wear out altogether. This initial stretch isn't as noticeable on a derailleur equipped bike as the derailleur copes with the change in chain length.
Simon Cash
New Member
- Location
- Hobart Tasmania
Anyone have any thoughts on how long an Ultegra chain should last. Have done approx 5000km on mine over last year, broke today, and then of course it would not go through the jockey wheel so it decided to snap the derailleur hanger clean off. Chain has been cleaned and lubed regularly, worst part of it all is that i have a new chain to put on, was just waiting for a new cassette to turn up. Bummer. Bike is a Cervelo S1 running Ultegra.
Moodyman
Legendary Member
You've done well to get that mileage out of it. There are too many variables, but my 8-speed (more durable than your 10 speed)chains tend to last around 1800 miles. I use KMC X series which are pretty robust.
Simon Cash
New Member
- Location
- Hobart Tasmania
Think from some general discussions with others that you are right. Might make it a 6 month job to do. Replace the cassette probably every 12.
