i finally fully committed to fixed only by removing my freewheel from the other side of my hub. my main concern is that normal wear and tear (i commute and go on occasional rides through the city) can damage these threads (i might want to put the freewheel back on in the future- ya never know, i like options). also, the shiny fresh threads just look out of place on my otherwise all black bike. i was thinking of maybe getting a bmx-style hub guard or maybe fabricating something like a small thread on sleeve. has anyone else ever addressed a "not-really-an-issue" like this before?

just leave the freewheel on

Id just put a few wraps of electrical tape around them.

Freewheels use the same threading as BB lock rings, correct? Just put 2 or 3 of those on there. My LBS gave me a few for free. Mine also happen to be black.

I really hope you are running a brake as you seem to be describing a suicide hub.


NO! lockrings are reverse threaded and they are a smaller diameter than your cog.

"i finally fully committed to fixed only by removing my freewheel from the other side of my hub"

This.

No! he is talking about bottom bracket lockrings. They are normal thread and the same size as your cog

Bottom bracket lockrings will work fine (unless of course, you cross-thread them when installing them ). I would just do as Deshi suggested and use electrical tape.

No he's not.

No they (bb lockrings) are not.

Yeah i think i metioned that....

Electric tape ftw

A freewheel will come in handy if you ever strip your hub, keep it on

I don't get it. How will your threads be damaged when they are just sitting there (parked) or spinning as you ride? If you need to use them, just clean them up and toss your freewheel back on again. Are they too shiny?

Can someone explain to me what a suicide hub is? i know it has something to do with conversions...

just by seeing how other bikes are moved around at the bike racks i frequent in my city. but it's cool. i went the electrical tape route for the moment.

With the wheel mounted and the threads tucked in behind your chainstay and dropout, it's going to be very unlikely that those threads could get damaged while your bike is locked up imo. But whatever, if it makes you feel safer then do it. I use electrical tape on my crank puller to protect it when it's rattling around in my toolbox and it works fine---it might not last forever out in the elements, but i guess you'll see.

Rather than multiple bb lockrings, just use a couple bb spacers and one lockring.

https://www.albes.com/profilerearhubguardlite.aspx

my buddy from my LBS is going to let me try one of these for free. for some reason i just want a cleaner looking set up as opposed to unused gears on the back of my bike. weight doesn't concern me and if it works, it works. if it doesn't, oh well.

That's made for cassette hubs, not freewheel threads.

The threads won't get damaged, but since they're greased they will attract dirt and grit, requiring a cleaning prior to future use I would think. The threads are silver and stick out like a sore thumb? Just slap electrical tape on there like the others mentioned.
/endthread

My commuter sees quite a bit of use and gets locked up and banged around daily in a crowded bike rack. The unused side of my flip-flop hub is one of the few bits that remain flawless. As mander mentioned, the hub is shielded by the frame, so this really isn't an issue. Your paint job is a different story.

If this is just about aesthetics, I think trying to cover it up could actually make things worse. Tape is bound to peel and gunk up with time. And in all honesty, I don't even notice the bare side of the hub unless. Since you're just taking it off for the first time, I'd suggest forgetting about it for a couple of months, then see whether you still care.

PS: Regarding the post above, why would you grease the bare threads? Mine are unlubricated and they don't attract grime.

If you can find them anywhere, the Bontrager Select Track wheels come stock with exactly what you're looking for. It's a thread protector for either the fixed or free side of the hub. Screws right on and looks pretty good too, black in color and hard to tell it's not part of the wheel.

I don't know why all you furries insist on just ''solving'' an issue by suggesting to use electrical tape. A product exists for exactly what the OP is looking for. Please don't declare a thread closed if you haven't solved his problem...

And FWIW I suspect electrical tape will not keep water off the hub threads, or prevent dirt from collecting... grease might help repel the water, but not sure about the dirt. Plus I have doubts the electrical tape will even stick at that point.

i know its for cassette hubs, i want to see if i can make it work. why not. if i can't, oh well. why won't this thread die. i feel like i have to ask 20 more stupid questions to unbump this one. thanks for the suggestions everyone though. im looking for that bontrager piece...

Sorry I couldn't give a better description. I doubt you'll find it online, but I'm sure you can get it straight from Trek... just go to your LBS Trek Dealer and say you have the wheels and you're looking for the piece because you lost it. You should be able to special order it (Trek also stocks other odd parts like 30mm brake bolts because their carbon rear triangles are so beefy and don't use a traditional bridge).