Chain trouble with my new fixie
05-19-14, 12:33 AM
#1
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Chain trouble with my new fixie
Hello everyone,
I just bought my first fixed gear bicycle and a short while after riding it I heared a clacking noise and also the chain came of very easily. So my best guess is that the chain is too long and I need to let someone shorten it.
However when reading up on some forums, I heard that a common newbie mistake is, to make the chain too tight. So I felt like asking if there could be a different issue or if it is indeed the chain.
I would appreciate any advice.
Greetings,
Ole
I just bought my first fixed gear bicycle and a short while after riding it I heared a clacking noise and also the chain came of very easily. So my best guess is that the chain is too long and I need to let someone shorten it.
However when reading up on some forums, I heard that a common newbie mistake is, to make the chain too tight. So I felt like asking if there could be a different issue or if it is indeed the chain.
I would appreciate any advice.
Greetings,
Ole
05-19-14, 05:30 AM
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See if you can achieve proper chain tension with the current length of the chain. I'd assume the chain was at least close to the proper length after purchase.
If not, take a link out with a chain breaker and try again.
If not, take a link out with a chain breaker and try again.
05-19-14, 09:22 AM
#5
Your cog is slipping.
Life is crazy.
05-19-14, 11:32 AM
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It appears as though you're using your wheel's reflector as a chain tensioner - this is incorrect.
05-19-14, 12:40 PM
#9
if the chain falls off you will probably have serious regretts. Also tighen the chain from the position that is the tightest when rotating the crank. It will not be a perfect circle and one spot will likely produce the tightest chain tension. Notice crank arm position for reference and adjust from this position. Just a bit of slack at this position and you should be fine.
05-19-14, 12:56 PM
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05-19-14, 01:42 PM
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Check out Sheldon Brown's site for lots of info on fixed gear riding, set up, pieces and parts. Specifically read about "rear wheel installation" Fixed Gear Bicycles for the Road
Love that pic above. But I'm not that limber or at least never have been that desperate. Did the rider drop the chain, had no brakes and going downhill?
Love that pic above. But I'm not that limber or at least never have been that desperate. Did the rider drop the chain, had no brakes and going downhill?
05-19-14, 01:48 PM
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Check out Sheldon Brown's site for lots of info on fixed gear riding, set up, pieces and parts. Specifically read about "rear wheel installation" Fixed Gear Bicycles for the Road
Love that pic above. But I'm not that limber or at least never have been that desperate. Did the rider drop the chain, had no brakes and going downhill?
Love that pic above. But I'm not that limber or at least never have been that desperate. Did the rider drop the chain, had no brakes and going downhill?
Yeah, descending from 5400ft downhill and his chain dropped going close to 40mph. Not a situation I ever want to be in.
05-20-14, 12:34 AM
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Thanks for all the advice. Instead of taking a link out of the chain, I have just positioned the backwheel farther back, like you said.
I'm not going brakeless. Today I rode the bike in my vibrams. Only for the short distance to work though.
I'm not going brakeless. Today I rode the bike in my vibrams. Only for the short distance to work though.
