The trick I've always used to tension my chain is to take something like a bathroom towel and fold it twice "hotdog style" and roll it up from there. Loosen the bolts. Then take the rolled towel and put it in right below your saddle in front of the seat stays in between your rear tire and your seat tube, and then rotate your tire so the towel rolls downward (or upward if you're doing this with the bike flipped over) towards the chain stays until it's far enough in between the tire and the seat tube to give the desired tension. Then just do a slight centering of your rear wheel and tighten the bolts. Super easy, no fancy tools, works for all types of dropouts, and it'll always get your chain tight

This video made me realize my chain is crazy tight! Thanks!

I find it much easer/faster to tension by keeping the wrench in one hand and placing the non-wrench hand between the wheel and seat tube. Then use the non-wrench hand to both align and tension by pushing 'out', while the wrench hand tightens. Probably not the 'correct' way, but if u prefer more tension it seems like the easiest way.

I am super grateful for this video. Both the knowledge and the giggles. Thank you!

Use a piece of cloth between the tire and the frame, like that you can adjust the tension as wanted and it will stay still while you tight the bolts. That is all.

Hey. That helped me a lot. I didn't know why my bikes chain wouldtn tighten and I didn't even know what chain tension was until I found this video. I thought my chain was done for. Thanks😀

watched your vids in 2020, thank you very much and now i decided to buy mataro for my first fixed gear bike because of you and very satisfied with it ^^ thank you

2:28 T I G H T N U T S

I know this is rather old but this video and a bunch others have helped me plenty. Because of you I have been able to: Replace my riser bar to drop bars Replace my stem Replace my chain with decent tension Replace my rear cog since I didn’t have enough skid patches. Buy bicycle lights. And a bunch others. You’re great man !

I really like your videos, and I enjoy constantly learning about fixed gear bikes. I have been riding only fixed gear bikes since the early 2000's, and can't ever go back to geared bikes. The only single speed I have is a 29er fat bike for riding in deep snow or in the sand on the beach.

Thanks for the video. I love the overcomplicated lifehack of using a Brazil nut to see if your wrench is the right size though. I mean, just check on the nut itself on the bike. 😄

Excellent chain tightening instructions!

I felt totally stupid then I saw your clip and now I can cycle again. Thank you so much

Your chain was too loose. Your lucky and have nice parts so you don't need to worry about high and low spots. I would add more tension to the chain. Check for the high and low spots. As you spin your cranks your chain will loosen and tighten. The nicer the part and who built the crank set will determin how extream this is. When your chain is at its tightest it should only have around 4 to 5 mm of movement. But if you have an extreme low spot where your chain goes loose ( above 1.4cm )you need to take a link out of your chain. If its very extreme, your rear cog, chainring or chain is worn. It could also be your rear wheel is not alighned with your chain stayes. Unless your chain has been changed recently, the chain is the best way to judge the drive chains condition. If you use a chain cheaker and its over 1% I recommend changing the chain and rear cog and testing the chainring for drive chain slipping. I apologise for any bad spelling I'm dyslexic.

one of the more useful videos i've every encountered salute

Thanks! I had absolutely no idea what I was doing switching my bike from single speed to fixed gear 😅

Great video! Wow, I'm glad you could put your nuts to good use. How creative of you to use your nuts to measure the correct size of a wrench. Also, I didn't know you could adjust your nuts to tighten a single speed chain.

What a freaking DELIGHT this video was! I was just kinda lost and hoping to learn if I can fix whatever is wrong with my bike. I DONT really know anything yet because this is relatively new to me. Well imagine my glee when not only am I getting great information in a way I can understand what I'm needing to do.... I ALSO keep cracking up at all your jokes. I keep not expecting the joke and then there is it. I haven't giggled this much in a while. Thanks for the information and the laughs

Simple hack to tensioning Fixie chain. Shove a tennis ball (or tightly rolled shirt for roadside repair) btw. rear tire and seat tube (ensuring tire is centered) and tighten axle nuts and check chain tension to make sure its JUST TO THE POINT OF NOT TO TIGHT (no binding while pedaling). Works like a charm!!!

Yes I did need $50 MKS chain tensioners. They are a drastic improvement from nearly all other options. I’m a huge advocate of spending top dollar on nuts, bolts, lockrings, axles. You know the parts that connect everything together

I just use a broom handle to tension my chains. Flip your bike over and put the broom handle between the frames bottom cross member and pull tight on the top of the broom handle. Gives you great leverage. All you have to do is rotate your wrist if the wheel is crooked. Works good.

brilliant video helped me a lot

It worked great!!! I fixed my sons bike! Thanks

I'm confused Zack, I thought you're supposed to use one of those hipster wrenches that also open bear bottles.

Congratulations! you made a easy things a hard way!

“That’s a falling lamp that’s a falling bike, things are going okay”

Just pull on the wheel with one hand with slight pressure and look at the centering from above. When it looks centered slightly tighten the drive side them the other side and lock it in place. Then tighten the drive side fully and the other side and you're good

i'm happy to give it a try on my bike

Thanks for the info, great video!

Thanks this was really helpful!

Great video.

It's pretty much like scooting it til it's just right 😌

Thanks you so much

This is a great video! It wasn't especially useful to me as the walk-it-out method is also my preferred method, but damn did you crack me up a few times.... "That's a falling lamp that's a falling bike" had me in stitches!

Great effort bro,great info,,subbed

fantastic!

I aways used a wooden wedge between te tire and the frame to pull the weel. But your method is very usefull, especially when you are riding and need to change or mend the rear tire. I just thought your chain too loose.

Great video, very usefull. Thanks.

I learned this when I was 9 years old, driving and fixing old BMX bikes.

Thx bro now I don’t have a loose chain and the chain don’t fkn fall off now so thx bro

Love it!!

this video really help me to tension my chain thanks! Zach Gallardo

I shove a broom stick between the tire and frame and then tighten the axle nuts. My older brother showed me that trick when I was a kid because he got tired of me making him come out to hold the wheel while I tightened the bolts.

Thanks! Doesn't look like operating on a rocket indeed

I’m saving this video😂

That's a pretty darn long process of tightening and loosening

Mr gallardo i woul lke you make a video for adult who areent so strong again and want to ride bike with a standard crank & pinion could chose for small hills & drive aroud neighbohrhood, thanks for your great videos. Good job mr zack.

Thank you

Genius

Hmmm, will try this... (fingers crossed) :)

Helpful asf

Thanks! 🍓receive a strawberry.

thats a hilarious but informative video

Chainstays are sometimes different shapes (or lengths) and do not work for centering. Best to use a combination of chainstay AND seat tube/BB Shell. Definitely always use a brazil nut though. Get those nuts loose.

scott joplin, nice taste in music

I've been having this issue that my chain look like yours did at the beginning of this video for a long time and when riding every so often the chain would slide it off or pop off and I would just have to set it back on again roll it on and I tried asking my friend's father that I live with who has fixed bikes simply in the past and just something about his explanation or problem of why he couldn't do it just seemed a bit off and now that I see this I feel like it was so simple and I know the answer and once I get home right now I'm going to find out so if you did help me I want to thank you in advance LOL

“That’s a falling lamp” 😂😂😂

Hey Zach I'm a larger guy 300lbs that wants to bike to work sometimes. I only live 3 miles away from work. Do you or anyone else have suggestions on bikes. I've been looking at fat tire bikes not sure if that would be a good idea. Any tips would be great.

Is there a difference if you closer the wheel to the frame or moving it further?

It's very easier with those chain tensioners !

Looking to change my fixed gear chain, any brand recommendations Zach? P.S. looking to add some color.

Sir, I can conclude that your first name is fantastically beautiful.

Here's a simple way. With the bike either upside down or on a work stand, tighten both track nuts to finger tight. Get this right and you will then be able to adjust the position of the wheel by pulling on the track nuts with the crooks of your index fingers, with the pads of your thumbs braced against the rear end of the dropouts. Once the wheel is in the right place, tighten the nuts, a half turn each, double check the position and chain tension, then tighten them all the way. Important: position the spanner on the track nut so that when you tun, the "handle" of the spanner is moving towards the rear of the bike. This means that on one side, the spanner will be pointing upwards, and on the other side, downwards. This last step reduces the risk of the spanner itself pushing the axle forwards and slackening the chain. Simples. How much slack? As little as you can get away with as long as the pedals and back wheel turn freely and continue to do so when you stop turning them by hand. Usually the chainring and sprocket are imperfect, so the tension on the chain will vary slightly with rotation.

hey zach can you help me know what is the best clipless pedals roadbikes or mtb

Can you do a video on removing scratches or bull horns vs risers vs drops

Zach, what do you think about quick releasers on your fix gear bike? Do you think there safe on rides? I want to be able to easily take out my front wheel to reduce the chance of getting my bike stolen.

do you even ride that bike? it looks so clean.

can you make a video about loose chains on a bike where u cant just pull you wheel back

That was lo-key creepy because I thought the "hey zach" was a ad targeted at me

funny.. thanks brother

Seems impossible task to maintain position of rear axle on my Langster without chain-tugs. After installing tugs, the bike went from a rattling mess into a much less noisy urban shredder, slamming over anything without fear of chain jumping off.

Not exactly related to chain tension, Zack, but how does a half link chain compare to the normal full link bike chain in terms of: 1. weight 2. durability 3. "chain stretch" 4. connector link types (pin, clip, cotter?) 4. overall efficiency I'm looking to replace a chain now, and wondered which option to choose.

lmao you had my dying with the brazil nut strat.

"You don't need to yank it or anything... gently, it's your bike, not a lonely friday night." Goddamn legend.

That's not the easy and fast way.

@zach hey man I'm have some drivetrain slippage I thought it might be a lose cog but that's not it.... please help... my fixie is my daily Rider..I want to keep riding but not if it's not safe....cause you know cars and stuff

Chain Tensioners are there for a reason.....adjust either side a bit at a time,once the wheel is centred and then when the chain has a fraction of play, then tighten the tensioner nuts,but not too much.I then use two spanners (wrenches) for the wheel nuts.And then I tweak the tensioner nuts tight one last time.Has never failed me.....Look at a Motorcycle,its similar....

What gear ratio are you running?

Easy Way to Tension Your Chain... over 7 minutes yeesh. Love your vids though, keep it up!

1. Pull your wheel and tighten your chain first time with your HUGE MUSCLES 2. Tighten the opposite-drivetrain nut, align wheel, tighten the other nut 3. Pedal fast with your HUGE MUSCLES

Would having a slacker chain make it easier to skid on a fixie???

I have a question. Does ghost ring gives me more fixie points?

You are a funny human. (Also, those aren't dropouts, they are track ends)

берешь кароче подсидельный штырь или насос. закатываешь его меж колесом и трубой, до такой степени, пока цепь не будет достаточно натянута и всё. ровняешь колесо и ноу проблемос

Zach a few months ago I noticed my chained sort of jumped slightly but ignored it, thinking it was no problem, now it jumps higher than ever. even with tightening it properly, I gets tight if you turn the crank to a certain point Loose in an another, could this be because of an old chain or my crank is misaligned.thank you

So it’s not necessary to have that plastic barrier in front of the big chain loop? Mine broke during this process lol.

Drink up when Zach says 'nuts' ;)

Just created a 2nd YT-account, just to be able to give this video a 2nd Like!!!!

Can we do this faster coz this is a very long process and I faced this issue in middle of a ride.

Do u put back the chain tensioner on after all that ?

What do you do if the back wheel is not aligned?

what ratio do you ride with? :)

Ay we have the same color of the frame

I would need to subtly disagree with Efficiency and Longevity being the most important factors to chain tension on a fixedgear bike.....On the street. If you were riding the bike on the velodrome or perhaps in a fixed-gear crit, this might be the case. For most riders using there bikes in the street, you would need the chain slightly tighter to allow for more responsiveness when stopping and track-standing. Maybe 2cm up and down would be plenty of (street slack)

Why is it good to keep the chain tension so loose rather than tight ?

how to fix axial misalignment?

Your sidebar about mixed nuts reminded me of the You Suck at Cooking YT channel! Ha!

Thanks lol

what if you have a thru axle hub and frame?

The intro.. wow im laughing so hard😂😂😂 idkwhy😂😂