Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Rear wheel installation and chain tension

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paulpoe
09-15-07, 02:44 PM
So I building up my first fixed gear. Things are coming along pretty well. I've been riding it for a week now, and today the chain fell off. That sucked. So I decided to pull the rear wheel back and tighten it up. But when I tighten down the axle nuts The wheel doesn't want to rotate very well. Even if the chain is way too loose. What's the deal? The wheel is aligned and not rubbing on the chainstays. Any ideas? Thanks.

-Paul

mathletics
09-15-07, 02:53 PM
Pull the wheel off and give it a spin, holding the locknuts. Does it feel like the bearings are rolling nicely, or do they feel like cottage cheese? Are you sure the tire isn't rubbing anything?
paulpoe
09-15-07, 05:36 PM
yeah, I figured it out. The sides of the hub that contain the ball bearings were tightened a little too tight, so when I cranked down on the axle nuts they compressed the ball bearings too much. So I loosened them up a bit and it spins very nicely now. Thanks for the reply.