DIY Spoon chain-tensionner

Energy & Sustainability
DIY Spoon chain-tensionner

211909574 Bc74Eabba9
Here’s how to make a chain-tensionner for single speed bikes from a spoon – Link.

12 thoughts on “DIY Spoon chain-tensionner

  1. Nick-of-financefarming.blogspot.com says:

    Aww man the link’s down!

    Got it bookmarked though, looks pretty interesting. Might have to give this a shot before I buy a tensioner when I build my single speed.

  2. fixedgear says:

    Or you could just use an old rear derailer….

  3. 2Short says:

    You could use an old rear derailer, but that would involve a slew of unnecessary springs, pivots, screws and such. I trust I need not argue inherent desirabiltiy of simplicity in bicycles to someone with the handle “fixedgear”.

  4. fryer says:

    My favorite chain tensioner is this.
    Though, you would need to cut either the frame or the chain ring to get it on. And it might get in the way of your foot, but still it is cool.

  5. Opposite_George says:

    First I’d like to state the posted hack is really sweet.

    Still, if it was me I’d probably go with fixedgear’s suggestion. I suspect an old derailer’d be more tolerant of delta in chain line or run (think wreck or hitting a log with the chainring.) And on a flip-flop (if you’re into that) it’d probably let you get away with a wider tooth spread, with less adjustment hassle.

    Yeah, a recycled der’r’s ugly, inefficient and heavier, but if you’re into purity go with a fixed-gear setup with horizontal(ish) dropouts and lose the tensioner completely.

  6. Paolo* says:

    To opposite_george, that’s actually my blog there, sorry the serveur crashed yesterday. I prefer horz. drop-outs to a spoon haha. But most trials frames use vertical drop-outs, so I was pretty screwed.

Comments are closed.

Discuss this article with the rest of the community on our Discord server!
Tagged

current: @adafruit - previous: MAKE, popular science, hackaday, engadget, fallon, braincraft ... howtoons, 2600...

View more articles by Phillip Torrone

ADVERTISEMENT

Maker Faire Bay Area 2023 - Mare Island, CA

Escape to an island of imagination + innovation as Maker Faire Bay Area returns for its 15th iteration!

Buy Tickets today! SAVE 15% and lock-in your preferred date(s).

FEEDBACK