Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - I need a "good guess."

Okay, here's my big problem: I'm nearly broke. Just started a new job and can't afford to buy the wrong thing. I ask you this...

My fixie has rather short horizontal dropouts, not allowing much adjustment for chain tension.

I was originally running 44x15, but the chain was too slack with the wheel as far back as possible. (Sure, a half-link might have helped, but hold on a second!) As an experiment, I flipped the wheel and tried a 16t freewheel I had lying around from my mtb. The slack was gone, tension was perfect.

I ended up just leaving it on like that, and now I'm really missing the fixed experience.

I can now afford to buy another fixed cog-- yeah, money's that tight-- and I'm wondering: would dropping to 14t work as well as 16? I was just one tooth away from perfect with 15.

Dunno but you could see if the shop would let you return the cog if it doesn't work out. Bike shops tend to be pretty good about returns.

A 14 would have your wheel further back making your chain even slacker than the 15, would it not?

Yes, but I'm hoping to be able to remove a whole link of chain as well-- whereas perfect chain tension was a half a link away with 15.

Or maybe I should get a credit card and order that Steamroller...

why not just buy a 16t cog, skip the bar this weekend and youll have the cash you need and fixed ride that works.

sorry to butt in here and not respond to any of these messages but how do you go back in this forum, i.e. move backwards to where you have just come from or do you have to click "view new posts" all the time to get back to mesage list.

Why not just hit the backspace key? Or Alt and left arrow simultaneously?

Sounds like you are stuck in "i need a 'good guess'" land!

This is the point of no return. you can always click here http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=178

why not just buy a 16t cog, skip the bar this weekend...

But who's gonna drink all that beer?

Me. I'll be the designated drinker, taking one for the team.

And yes, you should buy the Surly. Retail therapy cures many ills.

Do a google search for "SSconvert"; its a program that will calculate the exact chainlength for different gear ratios. It would potentially allow you to find a gear that even worked with vertical dropouts.

Check out.

-Pete

thanks for SS convert, pedro. looks great.

here's the link if anyone else is interested:
http://www.teambigtime.com/software/ssConvert.htm

I have fairly short horizontal dropouts. When I switched my chainring from a 40 tooth to a 44 tooth, I just added two links. Everything worked out perfectly with the axle in the exact same position as it was originally in.

42-15 usually works for most. Good luck.

problem (potentially) solved: I just bid on a nice 80s steel frame. one that'll actually fit me. oh, and it's got nice, long dropouts!

$25 for a new cog or $50 for a new frame? guess I'll stay home from the bars this weekend...

Is this what you're looking for?

http://www.peak.org/~fixin/personal/fmu/php/fixmeup.php

c'mon people...CREATIVITY is more than just an idea expressed as a word made up of letters.
Give up bodily fluids for money. Buy track parts and beer.
Be a ****ing American...or something...I guess.

Do you get drunker when you have less blood?

J-
That is the best (and I mean THE BEST) question ever asked in here.
You just made the Batties list

']J-
That is the best (and I mean THE BEST) question ever asked in here.
You just made the Batties list
****ing awesome.