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I need to know what the general feeling is to using chain tugs on a SS with horizontal dropouts and a bolt on White Ind. hub (not the eccentric one).
I have been using a Surly tug so far but with a 33/18 gearing I just can't get the chain adjustment right without losing a lot of the available adjustment the Surly tug has even on a new chain, which means I'm flying through chains.
I've tried a full half link chain but that thing was way too noisy!
I'm now running a single half link in a regular 1/8 chain but still lose a lot of initial adjustment space in the dropouts.
I guess the question is, do I actually need a tug or can I just bolt it up with no slippage even on the hills?
Thanks.
If its a bolt up hub I don't think you really need a chain tug to be honest.
I'd try it without.
Are you using cheap ss chains ?
What do you mean by cheap?
I've tried SRAM, Shimano, KMC, I think the half link was Gussett.
Is there one you recommend?
I'd never ride SS without a tug myself. Plus I always find SS goes through chains fast. My fixie will need the wheel pulling back at least once a week.
SS is fine without a chaintug if you have a bolt up axle, BMXs prove this.
Chain wear doesnt really matter so much on an SS, when it stretches, just remove a link (or your half link) and then rejoin it.
You could also file your dropouts downa bit more if you have room, this'll give you more space.
[i]SS is fine without a chaintug if you have a bolt up axle, BMXs prove this. [/i]
I disagree. BMX's are used entirely differently to a mountain bike going up big hills. Quick spurts with low gearing, not mashing the pedals over rocky ground for hours at a time. My bolt on wheels move forwards with no tugs.
I disagree. BMX's are used entirely differently to a mountain bike going up big hills. Quick spurts with low gearing, not mashing the pedals over rocky ground for hours at a time. My bolt on wheels move forwards with no tugs.
🙂
I dunno, tighten your wheels more! My BMX axles are 14mm and they have big nuts on the end that you can lean on with a long spanner.
Perhaps its the wheel size? More torque or leverage or something with big wheels?
I commute about 10 miles a day fixed and have never felt the need for chain tugs. Need to tension the chain every few months I guess. Last chain I rode till it was so worn out 5 teeth of my 16 tooth sprocket had snapped off but it still pedaled fine.
I'm not sure but I suppose commuting would be a bit less pressure, where we ride it's not massively hilly but there are some sharp climbs here and there.
Would you be comfortable with no tugs on a SS MTB ridden purely off road?
horizontal drop-outs, normal chains, Surly tug here (admittedly a Surly hub as well).
Yes, have to adjust tension 'often', but its not used for commute - roller coaster singletrack, MTB, some short sharp climbs that wreck the chain tension I guess.