Install Chain

[Vincent123]

I just put a chain on a mountain bike. I was on a limited budget so I decided to not use the derailer. So it has only one gear now like a BMX bike. The chain/gears (?) was originally slipping. So I decided to just install a new chain and not use the gears. I have installed the chain. I have a question on the slack needed for the chain. It is very tight. Is that OK?

[Alex Ramon]

For single speed setups the chain should be tight, but with a just a tiny bit of slack.

[Vincent123]

(12-28-2009, 02:07 AM)Alex Ramon Wrote:  For single speed setups the chain should be tight, but with a just a tiny bit of slack.

The mountain bike is a 21 speed. I first tried to wrap the chain around the fourth cog and it was way too loose so I wrapped it around the fifth cog and it was way to tight (absolutely no slack). What do you suggest?

[Alex Ramon]

If that's the case, you'll need a single speed frame, which will have rear-facing dropouts so you can move the axle to adjust the chain tension.

Or you could try using a chain tensioner.