Bicycle Mechanics - fixed - rear wheel locks

Hey, I converted a bike this summer to be a fixie, and it's having a problem (I think). Sometimes when I stop, the rear wheel is locked in place when I try to go again. It moves after I give it a little push, but it's a little disconcerting. I have a front brake that I use a lot. I don't skid, I only backpedal. I really don't know much at all about bike mechanics, so if you need more info, please be very specific and dumb your questions down a lot!!
Thanks a lot! This is my main commuter and I don't want to ruin it!

Your rear axle is slipping in one dropout and the tire is rubbing against the chain stay. Loosen wheel and re-align.
At least that's my guess...:D

If the wheel is not rubbing the chainstay I suspect that the hub is way too tight. Hubs tend to tighten if the adjustment is not well locked to begin with.

Another possibility is your chain may be way too tight, and it's binding at low speeds. You should be able to wiggle the chain up and down a little at any point in the cranks's cycle. Sometimes it'll be way too tight in one position and too slack in another,so be sure to check.

Your rear axle is slipping in one dropout and the tire is rubbing against the chain stay. Loosen wheel and re-align.
At least that's my guess...:D

If that's the case, then my next question is are you using a sold axle with track nuts or a quick release skewer?

I know that slipping the wheel when sprinting will put the tire against the left chainstay; I'd expect that if you're slipping it by backpedaling, it's rubbing on the right (driveside) chainstay. My guess is that you're using a freewheel hub with a QR skewer (which is what I ride). This should be OK as long as you have the skewer tight enough and aren't shy about using the brake.

I know that slipping the wheel when sprinting will put the tire against the left chainstay; I'd expect that if you're slipping it by backpedaling, it's rubbing on the right (driveside) chainstay.
This theory is all wet. The wheel will slip in the same direction regardless of how the force is applied. The cog is always on the right side and any force pulling it toward the crank will make the wheel turn left.

Hey, I converted a bike this summer to be a fixie, and it's having a problem (I think). Sometimes when I stop, the rear wheel is locked in place when I try to go again. It moves after I give it a little push, but it's a little disconcerting. I have a front brake that I use a lot. I don't skid, I only backpedal. I really don't know much at all about bike mechanics, so if you need more info, please be very specific and dumb your questions down a lot!!
Thanks a lot! This is my main commuter and I don't want to ruin it!

Is it a 1/8" chain or a 3/32"? If it's the latter, what sprocket (cog) are you using - and here a pic would be opportune.

Hey everybody. Thanks for your help. It turns out that I had a flat yesterday morning, so I took the bike via public transport to an LBS and had them switch the tubes and see what the problem was (I can switch out my own tubes, but the LBS was right on the way to the meeting I was going to, and I had to buy a new spare tube anyway, so it was convenient). What was happening was my cog and chainring were out of alignment so the chain was trying to derail itself! :eek: The mechanic had helped me out while I was converting the bike, so he showed me how I could fix it on the cheap, but he also showed me how worn out the 23-year-old bearings on the bb were! So, I had them put on a new bb and now everything lines up nice and it's a super smooth ride! :D

This theory is all wet. The wheel will slip in the same direction regardless of how the force is applied. The cog is always on the right side and any force pulling it toward the crank will make the wheel turn left.

Absolutely right - brain cramp. Sorry if I led you astray.