I'm thinking of installing an Alfine hub on my PA (as I reckon it's the perfact bike for UK riding, but that's another debate altogether) but would prefer not having to use a tensioner....
Has anyone come across a 'Magic Gear', based on either an 18 or 20 tooth sprocket?
Money is an issue, so whilst I know a Love/Hate would be the perfect solution, it'll be the PA for the time being.....
Cheers,
Alex
Magic gears only work until the chain is stretched and aren't anything more than a bodged solution. Getting stuck out on a ride when your chain's stretched enough to slip is no fun. Get a tensioner - there are plenty of cheap ones about and like it or not, it'll be better in the long run.
I have a PA with Alfine.
I use the Alfine tensioner.
It allows me to use my dual chainring up front. Which I change by hand if the terrain gets really steep.
Mandog,
What size rings are you using up front?
Cheers,
Alex
i am looking at installing an alfine on my alpine when it arrives next month.
One option is to use a blackspire stinger on the front chain ring and set it up to tension the chain.
i was reading about it earlier [url= http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/give-me-pink-2-a-better-way-of-tensioning-a-chain-on-regular-dropouts ]here[/url]
You could also try one of these
[url= http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=18255 ]
[img] 
[/img][/url]
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product.asp?pf_id=18255
Who is this mandog?
My chain ring is the older type xtr with 22, 32 and 44 teeth. The chain is only long enough for the 2 smaller rings. The outer ring is the "bash guaard".
That EBB thing is a neat idea but not for £150