# Help confirm some chain tension related purchases... OR DIE! **URL:** \ **Category:** Bicycling\ **Created:** [June 6, 2014, 12:15am UTC](https://ecmtb.net/t/help-confirm-some-chain-tension-related-purchases-or-die/2227 "2014-06-06T00:15:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TheWindSucker](https://ecmtb.net/user_avatar/ecmtb.net/thewindsucker/32/10537_2.png) [@TheWindSucker](https://ecmtb.net/u/TheWindSucker)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 12:15am UTC](https://ecmtb.net/t/help-confirm-some-chain-tension-related-purchases-or-die/2227/1 "2014-06-06T00:15:00Z")
Heh, so I have my 2010 norco fluid setup now as a 1x9, I want to add a chain tensioner. I’m not excellent with describing things so here comes urls o rama. I have this style of BB [http://www.mec.ca/product/5022-185/race-face-x-type-team-xc-bottom-bracket/?f=10&q=raceface%2Bbottom%2Bbracket](http://www.mec.ca/product/5022-185/race-face-x-type-team-xc-bottom-bracket/?f=10&q=raceface%2Bbottom%2Bbracket) I’ve got a blackspire ring-god bash guard. Here are the 2 bits I’m thinkign about ordering… [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003GKEZMU/ref=ox\_sc\_act\_title\_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AMY4I718ZUBOU](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003GKEZMU/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AMY4I718ZUBOU) and [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007DCFEI6/ref=ox\_sc\_act\_title\_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AI815W1WMD729](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007DCFEI6/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AI815W1WMD729) I think that will be all that I need, perhaps some longer crank bolts? Anyone know the mm length i’d need? THanks! ---
**Author:** ![TheWindSucker](https://ecmtb.net/user_avatar/ecmtb.net/thewindsucker/32/10537_2.png) [@TheWindSucker](https://ecmtb.net/u/TheWindSucker)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 12:32am UTC](https://ecmtb.net/t/help-confirm-some-chain-tension-related-purchases-or-die/2227/2 "2014-06-06T00:32:29Z")
Hoh hoh hoh… [faqload.com/faqs/bicycle-compone … en-8-speed](http://faqload.com/faqs/bicycle-components/drivetrain/using-a-clutch-rear-derailleur-with-9-speed-or-even-8-speed) > [@](#): > > SRAM rear derailleurs have had a 1:1 activation ratio for a long time. As a result, you can use any SRAM 9 speed shifter with a Shimano 10 speed rear derailleur and it will work perfectly with a 9 speed rear cassette. ---
**Author:** ![Jetter](https://ecmtb.net/user_avatar/ecmtb.net/jetter/32/16913_2.png) [@Jetter](https://ecmtb.net/u/Jetter)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 1:05am UTC](https://ecmtb.net/t/help-confirm-some-chain-tension-related-purchases-or-die/2227/3 "2014-06-06T01:05:59Z")
What is your main objective with doing this, best bang for the buck, or the best set-up you can get? If it’s bang for the buck, then the inner bashguard and chain tensioner should work great. The best setup would be a clutch type derailleur and one of those narrow-wide front chain rings. I love my clutched XT rear derailleur. Keeps the chain nice and tensioned with no chain slap (although I do have a chain tensioner too). My buddy Jason (bronze diamondback) has a clutched SRAM X0 rear derailleur that was new in the spring, and it makes a ton of racket, which from what he has read online is a fairly common problem with them. ---
**Author:** ![TheWindSucker](https://ecmtb.net/user_avatar/ecmtb.net/thewindsucker/32/10537_2.png) [@TheWindSucker](https://ecmtb.net/u/TheWindSucker)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 1:31am UTC](https://ecmtb.net/t/help-confirm-some-chain-tension-related-purchases-or-die/2227/4 "2014-06-06T01:31:38Z")
I’m looking for best bang for buck / low complexity. Converting the whole bike to 10 speed so it can use a clutch derailleur is not gonna happen. They don’t make 9 speed ones. The article there mentions you can use a SRAM 9 speed shifter with a Shimano 10 speed derailleur since they’re both 1:1. I just have to find a shifter on the web, they seem a bit rare to get just one new. I can go used too i guess. Anyways, I do like the idea of clutch der. better. But I can go with chain tensioner too. ---
**Author:** ![JoshM](https://ecmtb.net/user_avatar/ecmtb.net/joshm/32/798_2.png) [@JoshM](https://ecmtb.net/u/JoshM)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 9:26am UTC](https://ecmtb.net/t/help-confirm-some-chain-tension-related-purchases-or-die/2227/5 "2014-06-06T09:26:16Z")
You can use a shimano 10 speed clutched derailleur with a SRAM 9 speed shifter. This way you can enjoy the benefits of the clutch without having to upgrade the entire drivetrain. Plus 9 speed parts are waayyyyy cheaper, so you could just do the 10 speed hack and buy a wide/narrow chainring and be better off. Keep in mind that you need to fabricate/buy a little 6mm spacer to get the ratio just right. Apparently it will work without it, but the indexing will be off a bit and have some sloppy shifts. ---
**Author:** ![TheWindSucker](https://ecmtb.net/user_avatar/ecmtb.net/thewindsucker/32/10537_2.png) [@TheWindSucker](https://ecmtb.net/u/TheWindSucker)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 1:38pm UTC](https://ecmtb.net/t/help-confirm-some-chain-tension-related-purchases-or-die/2227/6 "2014-06-06T13:38:04Z")
Have anylinks about that 6mm adjustment? Want to read up a bit more on it. Thanks for the info btw and I think this is almost certainly the route i’m taking. ---
**Author:** ![JoshM](https://ecmtb.net/user_avatar/ecmtb.net/joshm/32/798_2.png) [@JoshM](https://ecmtb.net/u/JoshM)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2014, 2:51pm UTC](https://ecmtb.net/t/help-confirm-some-chain-tension-related-purchases-or-die/2227/7 "2014-06-06T14:51:26Z")
> [@bignose](#): > > Have anylinks about that 6mm adjustment? Want to read up a bit more on it. Thanks for the info btw and I think this is almost certainly the route i’m taking. This thread seems to have most of the important information on it, and even has a user that sells the spacer that he has machined for the purpose. [http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/f19/those-were-interested-9-10-speed-rear-derailer-adapters-260348/](http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/f19/those-were-interested-9-10-speed-rear-derailer-adapters-260348/) AFAIK any shimano 10 speed-rear derailleur (except XTR) can be made to work with a SRAM 9 speed shifter as long as the spacer is utilized as well. ---
**Author:** ![TheWindSucker](https://ecmtb.net/user_avatar/ecmtb.net/thewindsucker/32/10537_2.png) [@TheWindSucker](https://ecmtb.net/u/TheWindSucker)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 11:48am UTC](https://ecmtb.net/t/help-confirm-some-chain-tension-related-purchases-or-die/2227/8 "2014-06-11T11:48:09Z")
Well… I went with one of these [bionicon.com/parts/c-guide/c-guide-v02.html](http://bionicon.com/parts/c-guide/c-guide-v02.html) I’m travelling in 2 weeks with bike, didn’t want to jeopardize long shipping times so I know with Amazon I’ll have this part in a week. I’ll be the guinea pig and let you guys know. I’d have prefered clutch setup, but coordinaing that little 6mm adjustment, a deraillure and a hens-tooth shifter (x9 rear 9 speed)… well I didn’t want to risk it. ---
**Author:** ![JeffV](https://ecmtb.net/user_avatar/ecmtb.net/jeffv/32/2029_2.png) [@JeffV](https://ecmtb.net/u/JeffV)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 1:48pm UTC](https://ecmtb.net/t/help-confirm-some-chain-tension-related-purchases-or-die/2227/9 "2014-06-11T13:48:10Z")
I’m pretty sure I seen one at MEC. ---
**Author:** ![JoshM](https://ecmtb.net/user_avatar/ecmtb.net/joshm/32/798_2.png) [@JoshM](https://ecmtb.net/u/JoshM)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 2:23pm UTC](https://ecmtb.net/t/help-confirm-some-chain-tension-related-purchases-or-die/2227/10 "2014-06-11T14:23:12Z")
Just to clarify, it can be ANY sram 9 speed shifter. (X5,X7,X9,X0) and any shimano shadow+ rear 10 speed. (except XTR) ---
**Author:** ![TheWindSucker](https://ecmtb.net/user_avatar/ecmtb.net/thewindsucker/32/10537_2.png) [@TheWindSucker](https://ecmtb.net/u/TheWindSucker)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 2:28pm UTC](https://ecmtb.net/t/help-confirm-some-chain-tension-related-purchases-or-die/2227/11 "2014-06-11T14:28:59Z")
Yeah, but I want a x9 🙂 for now we’ll see how this works out. i have a 2 foot drop in my back yard that i hit a few times last night and dropped chain every time, so i have no doubt that sugarloaf is gonna cuase lots of them. hopefully this bionicon is awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Jetter](https://ecmtb.net/user_avatar/ecmtb.net/jetter/32/16913_2.png) [@Jetter](https://ecmtb.net/u/Jetter)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 2:55pm UTC](https://ecmtb.net/t/help-confirm-some-chain-tension-related-purchases-or-die/2227/12 "2014-06-11T14:55:48Z")
I have a X9 shifter I can sell, but it’s either way overpriced or comes attached to another '10 Fluid. ---
**Author:** ![TheWindSucker](https://ecmtb.net/user_avatar/ecmtb.net/thewindsucker/32/10537_2.png) [@TheWindSucker](https://ecmtb.net/u/TheWindSucker)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 4:51pm UTC](https://ecmtb.net/t/help-confirm-some-chain-tension-related-purchases-or-die/2227/13 "2014-06-11T16:51:11Z")
Hah, message me if you do really want to sell it but I have one '10 fluid now, so i’m full there 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![gtrguy](https://ecmtb.net/user_avatar/ecmtb.net/gtrguy/32/813_2.png) [@gtrguy](https://ecmtb.net/u/gtrguy)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 1:21pm UTC](https://ecmtb.net/t/help-confirm-some-chain-tension-related-purchases-or-die/2227/14 "2014-07-09T13:21:47Z")
How’s the Bionicon working out? ---
**Author:** ![TheWindSucker](https://ecmtb.net/user_avatar/ecmtb.net/thewindsucker/32/10537_2.png) [@TheWindSucker](https://ecmtb.net/u/TheWindSucker)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2014, 2:31pm UTC](https://ecmtb.net/t/help-confirm-some-chain-tension-related-purchases-or-die/2227/15 "2014-07-09T14:31:06Z")
it didn’t ship. they were out. sheldon@sportsheels rigged up something to get me thru the weekend. i might put front der back on and just live with it until i go 10 speed or hack a 9 speed clutch. ---
**Author:** ![JoshM](https://ecmtb.net/user_avatar/ecmtb.net/joshm/32/798_2.png) [@JoshM](https://ecmtb.net/u/JoshM)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2014, 2:18pm UTC](https://ecmtb.net/t/help-confirm-some-chain-tension-related-purchases-or-die/2227/16 "2014-08-02T14:18:44Z")
So I decided to pick up a 10 speed shimano shadow + rear derailleur and give it a shot with a 9 speed sram shifter. My setup is a shimano zee FR rear derailleur, x9 9-speed rear shifter, slx 9 speed 11-34t cassette and a 9 speed KMC chain. I put a raceface narrow wide 32t on the front crank and no chainguide of any kind. It took me less than 5 minutes on the work stand to get the shifting dialed and it works perfectly. I took a quick spin through the gorge/p2 (roots galore) last night after the change and had zero dropped chains or funky shifts. I’m still going to make the switch to 10 speed so I can get a 36t rear cog on my cassette without having to buy a boatanchor 9 speed one.