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Additional idler for Vision R44?

Discussion in 'Homebuilt and Modifications' started by visionist, Jul 23, 2013.  |  Print Topic

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  1. visionist

    visionist

    Region:
    South
    State/Country:
    LA
    Ride:
    Vision
    Name:
    J
    So I purchased a Vision R44. I really like this bike--USS, SWB... it's a big upgrade from what I've been riding in a lot of ways.

    However, I'm pretty much the smallest person who could still use this frame, and the boom is all the way in. It looks like there's signs of long-time chain slap on the underside of the seat tubing, but now that the boom is so much shorter, the chain actively grinds the tubing if I shift onto the largest sprocket in the front. There is no power-side idler on the bike, nor does there seem to be an obvious place to put one.

    I could fabricate a bracket to replace the rear single-idler with a double, or possibly find a bracket from another brand that fit the double-idler bill. It seems like the power-side idlers often feature teeth for the chain--can I just use an untoothed idler and just replace it more often?

    Or should I just put some protective UHMW along the underside of the seat tubing? Does anyone have experience with this problem, and is there another solution I'm not seeing?

    Thanks,
    Jon

    sprocket.JPG
     
    visionist, Jul 23, 2013
    #1
  2. Geyatautsilvsgi

    Geyatautsilvsgi Supporter

    Region:
    SouthEast
    State/Country:
    TN
    City:
    Seymour
    Ride:
    ?
    Name:
    Geyatautsilvsgi
    If you are the only person to ride it, why not just take a few links out of the chain? It would reduce the SAG.
     
    Geyatautsilvsgi, Jul 23, 2013
    #2
  3. visionist

    visionist

    Region:
    South
    State/Country:
    LA
    Ride:
    Vision
    Name:
    J
    Well, it's not that there's too much sag, it's that the chain needs to 'sag' more to get around the seat tubing. When I'm in the low gear of the high range, on the largest sprockets of each gear mech, the seat tubing is in the way of the chain. I'd like to use an idler to pull the drive side of the chain down away from the seat.

    For now, I've just padded the seat tube with some hard rubber. I'm considering getting some glass-reinforced nylon pulleys from McMaster.
     
    visionist, Jul 23, 2013
    #3
  4. Geyatautsilvsgi

    Geyatautsilvsgi Supporter

    Region:
    SouthEast
    State/Country:
    TN
    City:
    Seymour
    Ride:
    ?
    Name:
    Geyatautsilvsgi
    Aahh! Sorry, I misunderstood.
     
    Geyatautsilvsgi, Jul 23, 2013
    #4
  5. ReverendJim

    ReverendJim

    Region:
    NorthEast
    State/Country:
    NJ
    City:
    Hasbrouck Heights
    Ride:
    Linear, Rans
    Name:
    Jim
    You might try

    You might try an over/under idler or try to find an original chain tensioner. There are still some Vision parts out there but you have to look for them.
     
    ReverendJim, Aug 7, 2013
    #5
  6. Gizmo

    Gizmo Guest

    The gentle angles of this particular frame are tough to negotiate.

    Rev Jim is right on. A Bacchetta Over/Under right on the 2nd spindle should do the trick, though you might need to add a couple links to compensate for the increased deflection. If you find the right bolt, you'll also be able to ditch that dangerous-looking bracket too.

    [​IMG]

    Thennnn ... you will probably have some abrasion at the left rear wheellstay that will need a rubber jacket for protection. Another idler there would be a travesty. Experiment before you invest.

    Happy Trails
     
    Gizmo, Aug 7, 2013
    #6
  7. A.D.

    A.D. #1 Custodian

    Region:
    SouthEast
    State/Country:
    TN
    City:
    Athens
    Ride:
    Reynolds T-Bone
    Name:
    AD
    TerraCycle has a lot of 'chain management' parts and ideas. You might look through their pictures to see how they've some issues on other bikes. Searching for 'vision' on their website turned up nothing. :sad9:

    But just from looking at your picture, I'd agree that using an X-chain route is probably your simplest bet.

    And BTW, YES you can just use a return-type idler (i.e. smooth rubber) on the drive side of the chain, you'll just have to replace it more often than a sprocketed idler. That's how my RANS Force 5 was supplied (from the factory) and the smooth power-side idler just disintegrated this week, so I'm shopping for what else is available to replace it with.
     
    A.D., Aug 7, 2013
    #7
  8. visionist

    visionist

    Region:
    South
    State/Country:
    LA
    Ride:
    Vision
    Name:
    J
    Great, thanks for the input. I'll let y'all know how the experiments go...
     
    visionist, Aug 8, 2013
    #8
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