pmk Posted November 20, 2016 Report Share Posted November 20, 2016 Kind of as the title mentions, newbie question. I notice it seems the chain tensioners, whether on a modern bike or vintage machine use a non roller style wear block. Is there a valid reason for the slide to be preferred over rollers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
axulsuv Posted November 20, 2016 Report Share Posted November 20, 2016 I don't know , Maybe because trials bikes don't generally run @ high speeds and don't have the same suspension travel / speed of MX/ Enduro bikes ? But we have had chain tensioners since the dawn of time , to help smooth the power transfer and increase traction ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pschrauber Posted November 20, 2016 Report Share Posted November 20, 2016 My Panda still have a roller type chain tensioner and this type is a bit bulkier and too needs maintaince as the roller bearing installed to the roller tensioner wears down depending the weather circumstances. While the slide doesn't need any maintaince beside regularly control and a swap when necessary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lineaway Posted November 20, 2016 Report Share Posted November 20, 2016 You can run without them on most bikes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cleanorbust Posted November 20, 2016 Report Share Posted November 20, 2016 Roller type tensioners have been used on trials bikes, but are more prone to damage which affects their function. This is avoided by using the slider type, which does the job adeqately. I wouldn't dream of running a trials bike without a tensioner. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lineaway Posted November 20, 2016 Report Share Posted November 20, 2016 Beta USA trials team manager has ridden the 4T ever since it came out as the rev 4. Always without the tensioner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cleanorbust Posted November 20, 2016 Report Share Posted November 20, 2016 Considering he could presumably get one for nowt, I'd put that down to lazy bike prep 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2stroke4stroke Posted November 20, 2016 Report Share Posted November 20, 2016 The dawn of time being the late Sixties as I recall ☺ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pschrauber Posted November 20, 2016 Report Share Posted November 20, 2016 See here for all parts of a roller type, as long as the roller is attached near the rim/tire it's at a relatively secure spot, as the roller does have it's height especially when using bearings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirdabalot Posted November 20, 2016 Report Share Posted November 20, 2016 Is the tensioners purpose to allow a slack chain to be used due to long travel suspension? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pschrauber Posted November 20, 2016 Report Share Posted November 20, 2016 Yep that's the case as the sprocket and the swing axel are not at the same point instead a couple of centimeters away from each other there are different lengths between front and rear sprocket when the swing arm moves. This effect can be minimized by less suspension travel, less angled swing arm and less distance between swing axle and front sprocket. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spen Posted November 21, 2016 Report Share Posted November 21, 2016 Less moving parts, less to go wrong....... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmk Posted November 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2016 Guys, thanks for the replies. The machine I have is a vintage OSSA MAR, so the rear travel is pretty short travel. As original it has a springloaded tensioner with rubber type material slide block. Seems the slider style is still viable as they are used on modern machines also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feetupfun Posted November 21, 2016 Report Share Posted November 21, 2016 There is no law against using a roller. I've seen plenty of twinshocks with a roller on the tensioner arm instead of a slider. Whatever rocks your boat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirdabalot Posted November 21, 2016 Report Share Posted November 21, 2016 If the tensioners purpose is to to allow enough chain slack for use with long travel suspension, why aren't they fitted to MX and enduro bikes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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