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Unread 20-12-2010, 18:10
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Re: Sprockets as Chain Tensioners?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jared341 View Post
I will buy that static tensioners are inefficient (seems obvious). But what about idler sprockets? Worst case you are adding in the friction of an extra ball bearing...
My gut instinct is that the friction at the interface of the idler sprocket teeth with the chain would be a bigger factor (albeit still small) than the idler's ball bearing friction.

Quote:
The losses from such a system should certainly be dwarfed by factors like alignment, lubrication, and gearing.
That's my guess too. Which is why it would be most instructive to see some real apples-to-apples data comparing a well-designed system to itself: with and without a tensioner touching the chain.