BMX Chain Tensioners: Are They Necessary for Freestyle Riders?
When it comes to building or upgrading your BMX bike, certain components often spark debate especially among freestyle riders. One of those hot topics? BMX chain tensioners. While racers typically swear by them for keeping everything aligned at high speeds, freestyle riders often ask: are they really necessary?
In this post, we break down what BMX chain tensioners do, how they affect freestyle riding, and whether or not you should add them to your setup.
What Do BMX Chain Tensioners Actually Do?
Chain tensioners are small but mighty hardware pieces mounted in your rear dropouts. Their primary function is to hold your rear wheel in place and maintain consistent chain tension especially on horizontal dropout frames.
Without them, your rear wheel can gradually shift forward during heavy riding or after repeated impacts, which can cause the chain to slacken. A loose chain doesn’t just feel sloppy; it can slip, snap, or even derail mid-trick.
Chain tensioners prevent this by keeping your axle exactly where it needs to be, so your drivetrain stays tight and responsive.
The Freestyle Rider’s Perspective
Freestyle BMX is all about creativity, movement, and flow. Whether you're grinding rails, landing drops, or pulling tailwhips, your bike takes a lot of hits and your wheel position can shift because of it. That’s where BMX chain tensioners start to prove their worth.
Many freestyle riders assume they don’t need tensioners because:
- They’re riding slower, not racing
- They manually dial in chain tension during wheel installs
- Their chainrings or sprockets are smaller, reducing slack risk
But even in street or park riding, the wheel can move slightly over time especially with pegs, grinds, and heavy landings. Chain tensioners help avoid the gradual creep that causes annoying slippage or derailments right in the middle of your session.
The Benefits of Using Chain Tensioners in Freestyle
Here’s why more freestyle riders are starting to embrace chain tensioners:
1. Consistent Chain Tension
No one wants to be halfway into a fakie or crankflip when the chain starts skipping. Tensioners help ensure your drivetrain stays dialed even after a rough landing or bar spin.
2. Rear Wheel Alignment
When your wheel stays centered, you get better tire clearance and more even braking (if you run rear brakes). This also reduces uneven tire wear.
3. Easy Chain Adjustments
Tensioners make it simpler to dial in perfect tension without constant measuring and repositioning. You can fine-tune with just a couple of turns.
4. Peace of Mind
You can ride harder and focus on tricks not your chain coming loose. For street riders especially, it’s one less thing to worry about.
Are Chain Tensioners a Must-Have?
Not necessarily. If you:
- Ride only occasionally
- Don’t grind or land hard
- Check and tighten your axle bolts frequently
…you might be okay without them. But if you’re serious about freestyle riding, especially street or park, they’re one of the simplest upgrades you can make to protect your drivetrain and keep your bike feeling responsive.
Types of Chain Tensioners for Freestyle
At Billet BMX, we carry chain tensioners that work with most freestyle frames using horizontal dropouts. Look for tensioners that:
- Are compact and low-profile (so they don’t interfere with pegs)
- Use bolts or set screws to dial in the position
- Are made from durable aluminum or chromoly for long life
Some designs are integrated into the dropout, while others are external add-ons. Choose one that fits your frame and riding needs.
Final Thoughts: A Small Upgrade with Big Impact
So, are BMX chain tensioners necessary for freestyle riders? Strictly speaking, no but if you want a more consistent ride, longer chain life, and fewer mid-session adjustments, they’re a smart addition to your setup.
In freestyle BMX, it's the little details that keep your bike feeling locked in and chain tensioners are one of those small upgrades that make a big difference over time.
Explore our range of BMX chain tensioners at Billet BMX and keep your ride dialed from the first trick to the last.
