Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - questions about drivetrain

hi folks. some questions about my drivetrain.

is it ok to put a new chain on an old cog and chainwheel? i just put a new chain on, and i'm getting some pretty odd noises from my drivetrain. even worse, i can feel it not quite "meshing" through the pedals. doesn't feel good. i know chains and cogs wear "together" and when you change cogs you're supposed to change chains, but does it work in the other direction?

if it matters, my cog and chainwheel are both 3/32, as was the old chain, but this new chain is 1/8 bmx chain. is that a potential problem?

thanks a bunch.
dan

Why would you get a 1/8" chain when the others are 3/32??? It will work but, usually, like works better with like.

How much wear/time/miles/Km/abuse does the cog and CR have?

It could also be chain tension, lubrication, chain line, ring roundness and the chain itself. I have played around with a few chains and they all ride differently.

I threw a chain yesterday going over Railroad tracks. (same tracks where my masterlink came off last year). My fault. It was a little slack and I should have addressed it sooner. I thought it was tight enough. Be careful out there!

i've been riding the same cog/chain/chainring for about 6 months, through the winter, generally lots of riding. like say 150 miles a week average.

i can feel it not quite "meshing" through the pedals.

Sure sounds like your cog is worn and maybe your CR. Does it get worse when you apply a lot of torque/accelerate/climb??

Sure sounds like your cog is worn and maybe your CR. Does it get worse when you apply a lot of torque/accelerate/climb??


very much so. it's not so much an issue when i'm at speed and cruising. big problem at starts. interestingly, not a problem when slowing down. only when applying forward pressure.

thanks.
dan

it's not so much an issue when i'm at speed and cruising. big problem at starts.

Classic symptoms of a new chain on an old (worn) cog.

crap. must i replace? or can i run the new chain for a few rides and hope it gets worked in there? best to replace the chainring as well?

does this happen to other people? i've only had the thing for 6 months or so. granted, i ride a lot and those 6 months were partly winter months, but still...

Yes, new cog absolutely. Try the new cog and if you still have problems you will have to replace the CR. I am guessing the CR is OK though. They take a while to wear out.

Yes it happens to everyone a few times before they start to change their chains before they stretch too far and wear out the cog. This also happens on geared bikes the same way. It is way more expensive on a geared bike because you have to buy a new cassette, which ain't cheap. But then again a good track cog is $30.



You need one of these (http://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cgi?id=166392041365&c=Tools&sc=Chain&tc=Wear%20Gauges).

ok thanks a lot for the info. is it true that 1/8' cogs will wear out less quickly (did i say that right?; do they last longer?)?

and your saying to change the cain more often, right? that makes sense as it's only 6 bucks for a chain and like 30 for a surly 1/8 cog. thanks for your help.
dan

Your drive train will also wear out faster if you keep the tension too tight.

Check out this link (http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/chaintension.shtml)

thanks