Brand new bike chain tension

[Beehivebasin]

Hello,
I’ve just acquired a 2023 Trail with 0 miles and have not ridden it yet. I am noticing the chain seems to be tighter than the manual suggests. Should I adjust it or is this normal for virgin bikes?

 

[dmonkey]

Be sure that you're checking with the bike on the center stand as described in the owner's manual, but yeah, if it's too tight then you should adjust it to within spec.

 

[NMCoyote]

the 1 1/4" spec is maximum not the standard, i'm running about 3/4" and it seems good there.

 

[dmonkey]

The spec in the owners manual is 1.0" - 1.4" or 25 mm - 35 mm of slack. I just target 30 mm. Too tight or too loose can cause excessive and abnormal wear on the chain and sprockets, but too tight is generally considered worse than too loose because if the suspension is compressed and the chain is taut then that stress goes to the countershaft.