How to: SINGLESPEED Vertical Dropouts With No Tensioner

If your frame has horizontal dropouts, the chain tension can be adjusted by moving the wheel position back and forward.
On the other hand, vertical dropouts don’t have any room to move the wheel for adjustments, so a chain tensioner is most commonly used to make it work.
But can you put the chain at the right length?
The gap between the links is 1 inch, so the chance of getting it right is very unlikely.
There are different sizes of bike chains, their width varies from 1/8” in singlespeed to 11/128” in 9/10-speed chains.
First, remove a full link, outer and inner links, from the singlespeed chain.
The process is to add an outer link to the setup.
Now take out the 9/10-speed chain and expand the holes from the outer links with 5/32 drill bit.
Connect the outer links together, insert the roller and then press the pin back in.
And finally, remove the inner link from the singlespeed chain and then connect everthing back to the bike.
The chain is now tightened by 1/2 inch.
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[@Sr.D]

Thanks for the clarification, I will use a tensioner

[@jasonloke2219]

Thanks a lot for sharing!!! Actually I have a half-link missing link. Your method is wonderful. I just love single-speeds; I have 2#. Thanks.

[@havefunandbikestuff]

Subscribed! This is awesome information for singlespeed conversion.

[@fredro7192]

i use a halflink bmx chain links for this and i think it works better

[@logee6750]

So do you put a whole new chain ?or just a piece of the bmx chain

[@fredro7192]

@@logee6750 both works fine

[@jac1793]

I’m using half link on my single speed mtb and my chain is loose

[@B_COOPER]

Half link chains wear a lot faster. As well as eat through your cogs. And most importantly, they’re heavier.

[@markevinlagsac3252]

@@B_COOPER he only use 1 half link so your googled argument doesn't matter.

[@J_Smith7]

Great technique!

[@Cirofixie]

Thanks 🤩

[@martingreen2358]

The only guaranteed method is to choose an acceptable gear ratio range eg. 1.8-2.2 and then find the combination that gives you a perfect chain length, Your cassette cog will also need to be reasonably close to the chainline.

[@junocolburn6695]

thus woulnt work with a narrow wide chainring would it?

[@_cogojoe_]

I got a bad feeling about this. Do not do this specially if you ride a fixed gear, the chain will most likely fail at that exact link or next to it.

[@Apollo-dv3iu]

I like how he uses the zip tie to hold the chain..

[@pablobroughton2892]

ghost ring for me! never fails

[@LowlyEidolon]

What's a ghost ring?

[@pablobroughton2892]

@@LowlyEidolon search it on KZbin, it’s a third sprocket stuck in the chain to tension it. Looks very janky but works perfect if you have the right size

[@LowlyEidolon]

@@pablobroughton2892 thanks, that is a good explanation, I don't need to search for it

[@hcokol17]

Did you get any problem after that

[@chrisko6439]

This is asking for trouble/chain snap. I ride a singlespeed with vertical dropouts and no tensioner. I found a different solution, I have to use the chain for a few hundred km on another bike before I can use it on my singlespeed though, lol. I also filed the axle (quick release) kind of into a D-shape, so I have a little room for adjustment when the chain has lengthened further. I use a BMX cog with these long teeth and I have no chain drops whatsoever - until the chain has lengthened so much, I have to replace it anyway if I want to avoid wearing down chainring and rear cog prematurely.

[@lawyerengineer]

This alters the narrow wide sequence of the chain, so you’ll have sticking of the chain to a narrow-wide chainring every other full rotation of the chain.

[@robertunderdunkterwilliger2290]

What does that mean?

[@originalchristianvogt]

Or just use a halflink

[@Megadeth6633]

amazing. I would put a small washer between link plates to compensate for size difference

[@hurronred2088]

You just can buy half link bmx chain, and use it.

[@lanceadriancantoja5779]

I was wondering if I can use a 44t chainring with a 16t sprocket, will that work fine?

[@DanyoSports]

Each bike is different, you have to try and find out if you need a half link or not.

[@lanceadriancantoja5779]

@@DanyoSports no I don't. I want a fixed gear conversion and I don't know the right gear ratio for a 16t that I bought. Is a 44t chainring good?

[@shithead]

@@lanceadriancantoja5779 Each bike is different, you have to try and find out if you need a half link or not.

[@arncj18]

nno way am i doing this

[@WHDRWN]

My tip is to do it too tight then use the space in the dropouts to gain some slack like you would with horizontal dropouts.

[@xXmartypooXx]

Exactly, also wrapping a broken chain round your chainring and various cogs on the freewheel will tell you which ring you can use on the back, if the answer is none you will have to try another chainring. (you are likely to find one on a seven speed cassette)

[@gautiermabille3042]

if your chain explode you know why...

[@stoyanoo]

Just buy a halflink chain

[@nzo_6543]

Nah still aint working on some bikes.

[@rollinrat4850]

What a waste of time! You always need a method to compensate for chain wear. Chains get longer as they wear. Its inevitable! Use this chain for long or ride very hard and soon this chain will become slack. I hope you all have big budgets for new chains!

[@benjamimc5x67]

You are wrong. By your logic, it would be necessary to constantly readjust the wheel position, even on a bike with horizontal dropouts.

[@rollinrat4850]

@@benjamimc5x67 Dont be absurd. Bikes with derailleurs have a means to tension the chain already. Singlespeeds with vertical drop outs need a chain tensioner to compensate of some sort for chain wear. Track bikes or dedicated singlespeeds often use horizontal dropouts, a chain tensioner or other means to adjust the chain tension. Are you saying chains don't get longer as they wear? I'm a pro shop mechanic. I own 4 singlespeeds and ride a whole lot. No, you don't need to retention constantly, but you definately need the means to tension the chain properly or you may not even be able to achieve proper chain tension. You can't just throw it on there.

[@rollinrat4850]

Chains don't actually 'stretch' technically. They wear on the pins and rollers which causes them to get longer. Therefore ALL chains wear as they are used. It's inevitable. If they're not wearing much, you're not riding enough.

[@chrisko6439]

@@CalmoOmlac If you got an axle with quick release, you can file it into a D-shape. This will give you some room for adjustment, when the chain has lengthened.

[@xXmartypooXx]

On a side note, i wonder how many undiagnosed brain injuries in the world there are..🤔

[@Free__Speech]

😂🤣 avoid