Gates 91107 Krikit V-Belt Tension Gauge, Black - Accurate Belt Tension Measurement Tool for Automotive Maintenance Review

This belt tension sensor is primarily for automotive applications but I use it on my bike. The tension required for my Gates Carbon Drive bike strap is on the lower end of the range covered by this tool, but it works. The direction is clear.

Sold by Gates and other resellers, this Krikit belt tensioner is a very accurate gauge of belt tension. I used it for all the belts on my Porsche 944 Turbo. With practice to develop your technique and to find the right spot on the belt to measure, this gauge will measure tension repeatedly with good accuracy. Incorrect belt tension (too tight or too loose) can lead to premature belt failure and subsequent serious engine damage.

It's better than nothing. There are a variety of measurements, but if you measure often enough you can get an approximate value of around 10 units. The slower you drive, the better. Often the "needle" will move when it is removed from the tape. I'd say it's worth it compared to the $200 version of much better gauges. I wouldn't say it's very accurate, but you can get a lot of results within about 10-15 units. I just went with you

Works with both V-belts and multiple V-belts IF: 1. Belt width 7/8 inch or less; and 2. The maximum measurable tension does not exceed 150 pounds. This information is from the Gates website and my testing. For example, Mercruiser recommends the following tension for 8.1 engines: New belt: 110-130 lbs / Used belt: 70-90 lbs (target tension). Here's an easy way to check belt tension without a gauge: Take the longest section of belt and rotate it 90 degrees. If you really can't turn it anymore…

This simple tool is easy to use and works well. I sent for him after I bought my wife an expensive Gates belt drive bike. When the bike was delivered the manual explained how to set it up to get the bike ready to ride and one of the steps was to check the belt tension. The manufacturer (Montague Bicycles) recommended a Gates 91107 tension gauge. It was easy to check tension with this tool, and it turns out the manufacturer (in Taiwan) overtightened the belt by 20 pounds. I understand that the…

I have a Zero bike but I think it's good for any bike with a drive belt. I started using the Gates app on my phone, which used a microphone to listen to the strap as you pluck it like a guitar string. Totally inconsistent - I don't think I had the same frequency on 10 measurements, but maybe 8 out of 10 measurements were "in field". It turned out to be VERY tight and ripped when I was 40 miles from home. So I ordered this baby after being taken to a car dealership to order and install a new…

I used this tool to adjust the belt tension on a Mercury 225hp outboard generator. When I hit the advertised 80 pounds. Tension, belt deflection met factory specs of 1/2" at 22 lbs. This tool is very easy to use. Simply place your index finger under the belt, placing the tool's pivot point (which is directly under your finger) right in the middle of the span of the belt and press down *SLOWLY* Release immediately when the tool clicks Lift the instrument and read the gauge The tool even has a…

I had high hopes for this. The trick is to place the device on the strap (with the small plastic tab all the way down on the "high voltage" setting) and then press on the pad of your finger until the pad "clicks". This requires a prescribed force of 22 pounds, and the black "tongue" measures how much the belt flexes under that pressure. There is no need for a second hand holding up the ruler to determine how much deflection has been created at a given pressure. The disadvantages are greater…