Rohloff Chain Tensioner
The Rohloff Chain Tensioner (Art. 8250) keeps the chain of a SPEEDHUB 500/14 under tension on frames where the wheel cannot be moved – full-suspension bikes and hardtails with vertical dropouts.
Why the Rohloff Chain Tensioner?
Mounts on the derailleur hanger. Bolts to the existing derailleur hanger of the frame; spacers provide lateral adjustment.
10-link capacity. A tensioning capacity of 10 chain links – enough even for long-travel rear suspension.
Easy wheel removal. The tensioner swings back when you pull the wheel out of the dropouts.
Fully serviceable. Arm, hanger, jockey wheels, spring, bolts and washers are available individually.
Which tensioner for which frame?
The standard tensioner 8250 is for 135, 142, 170 and 177 mm frames with a standard derailleur hanger.
Fatbikes with 190/197 mm spacing, non-SPEEDHUB gear hubs and singlespeeds need the -10 version (8250-10); downhill and extreme off-road riders choose the DH Shorty (8245).
Small details that matter
On dropouts thinner than 7 mm, the 13-tooth sprocket and all splined sprockets need the long mounting bolt (+3.5 mm), available separately as 8255.
Rohloff chain tensioners are only suitable for 1/2" × 3/32" and 1/2" × 11/128" chains.
Who is it for?
- Full-suspension SPEEDHUB bikes. Rohloff says a tensioner is necessary on all full-suspension frames.
- Hardtails with vertical dropouts. When neither the wheel nor the cranks can be moved to tension the chain.
- Frame conversions. A derailleur frame becomes a gear hub bike – the tensioner uses the hanger already there.
Compatibility
| Rohloff part number | 8250 |
|---|---|
| Frame spacing | 135, 142, 170, 177 mm with standard derailleur hanger |
| Capacity | 10 chain links |
| Chains | 1/2" × 3/32" and 1/2" × 11/128" |
| Spare parts | Arm 8249, hanger 8254, jockey wheels 8251, spring 8705, bolts 8253/8255, washers 8256 |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a chain tensioner with a belt drive?
No – this is a chain tensioner. Gates belt drives need a frame with an adjustable dropout or eccentric bottom bracket.
Which tensioner for a fatbike?
For 190/197 mm spacing Rohloff specifies the Chain Tensioner -10 (8250-10).
My dropout is thinner than 7 mm – what do I need?
With the 13-tooth sprocket or any splined sprocket, use the long mounting bolt 8255 (+3.5 mm).
About Rohloff
Rohloff AG from Fuldatal near Kassel, Germany, builds the SPEEDHUB 500/14: a 14-speed gear hub with evenly spaced gears, a 526% gear range and a sealed oil bath. As robust as the hub is, Rohloff sells small wear and replacement parts individually, so a SPEEDHUB is repaired, not replaced.
BoodaBike (Massive Bikes, Budapest) is an official Rohloff service centre, trained by Rohloff, and an official European distributor of Rohloff hubs and parts. We sell genuine Rohloff parts and we are happy to help you identify the right one for your hub version.