Brompton tensioner

[orange]

Hi all, can I get away with not using the chain tensioner on the brompton if I find the correct chain ring/cog set up? Will the chain fall off when I fold or will I not be able to fold? I know on a rohloff or alfine bikes you can have the chain fairly slack. Does this apply to sturmey archer as well? Has anyone done it or currently doing it on a bromton?Thanks for any advice.

[LittleWheelsandBig]

Don't do it. The chain will fall off when you fold it.

[rogerzilla]

It might be acceptable if you don't fold it, and just wanted a Brompton because it's a Brompton.

Some people have fixed Bromptons; I'm not sure how that works at all.

EDIT: looking at the pictures, the secret seems to be to get the tensioner fully stretched when the bike is unfolded.  I imagine the chain could snap if you hit a pothole and compressed the rubber bumper too far.

[LittleWheelsandBig]

Some fit a bumpstop to the tensioner for fixed or coasterbrake duty. It helps to replace the plastic tensioner arm with something torsionally stiffer and stronger. Skidstops are probably still off the menu though.