A tensioned roller shade system for installation in an opening, such as a window or a skylight, comprises a frame, a roller tube rotatably mounted between side channels of the frame adjacent a first end of the frame, a conical, grooved spool mounted adjacent the roller tube, and a shade fabric is windingly received around the roller tube. A tensioning cord is operatively coupled between the spool and a fabric end of the shade fabric. The spool has a single groove, which wraps around the spool and windingly receives about the tensioning cord. A pulley is operatively coupled to the frame adjacent a second frame end and windingly receives the tensioning cord. The tensioning cord is adapted to bias the second fabric end toward the second frame end, such that the second fabric end of the shade fabric is adapted to move between the first and second frame ends as the roller tube is rotated.