Author Topic: Chain tension & tight spots (Read 1528 times)

rodriguez · « **on:** July 30, 2013, 11:12 AM »

How tight do you have your chain?

I've read a lot of NS riders talk about having the chain like a banjo string surely that'll just wreck the bearings.

Are NS just as prone to tight spots as OS bikes?

I've set a bike up and low and behold there's a tight spot on the chain, everything is new, it's a new bike and I just swapped the cranks. I know what is causing the tight spot, the chainring is not spinning true, just a few mm out but enough to cause a tight spot.

Dannywhac · « **Reply #1 on:** July 30, 2013, 11:51 AM »

Five words:

Buy a splined crank sprocket

Way easier, and you don't have the sprocket nut pulling the sprocket out of line slightly. Doesn't always happen, and sometime you can sort it with a little bit of coke tin shim but splined sprockets really are very nice

rodriguez · « **Reply #2 on:** July 30, 2013, 01:47 PM »

Quote from: Dannywhac on July 30, 2013, 11:51 AM

Five words:

Buy a splined crank sprocket

Way easier, and you don't have the sprocket nut pulling the sprocket out of line slightly. Doesn't always happen, and sometime you can sort it with a little bit of coke tin shim but splined sprockets really are very nice

Yup, can see how that'd work.

Whats do you reckon on chain tension then?

Dannywhac · « **Reply #3 on:** July 30, 2013, 02:19 PM »

Still using the same schizz I used in the 90's, not insane tight with around a 1/4 inch of play. I guess micro gearing allows a bit more play if the chains over-tight as there's not as much torque put on it compared to a 44/16 setup, but one of my fears is snapping chains so I wouldn;t personally. Coupled with the fact you'll wear out sprockets, cassettes and bearings quicker

You could try altering the chain line on your new cranks as an alternative to buying a splined sprocket - sometimes (even if the sprocket bolts pulling the sprocket out) a spacer here and there can find the sweet spot where the bugger doesn't tighten

kev-s · « **Reply #4 on:** July 30, 2013, 06:01 PM »

spline drive all the way

no more tight spots and no chainring bolt to round out ever again

i personally like my chain with a little slack in it, enough slack so its not tight and causing wear and sounding rough yet not slack enough for it to be able to jump off or rub anywhere

Betty · « **Reply #5 on:** July 30, 2013, 08:13 PM »

I like em slack

rodriguez · « **Reply #6 on:** July 30, 2013, 11:00 PM »

Cheers lads slack it is

OllyHall · « **Reply #7 on:** August 01, 2013, 09:46 AM »

Kev is slack! And yes +3 on the spline drive, 1 of the best upgrades I've bought in a long time, yes they can be a tad expensive but worth every penny!

so go treat yourself:)