Originally Posted by
mymorningjacket
What are your experiences on riding with a fixed cog rather than a singlespeed freewheel on a freewheel rim?
I know there are specific rims with two sets of opposite threads for fixed cogs, but I only have the normal FW hub. I have an old BB lock ring that fits over the hub after the cog. Will this hold?
I'm only using this on a junky vintage frame bike I have so I dont mind if theres a chance of it just stripping the threads on the hub or anything.
Thanks.
The opposite threads on fixed-gear hubs are a locking mechanism; when back-pedaling force causes the cog to try and unwind itself, the twist direction just screws the lockring on even tighter. If there's no lockring, the risk is that back-pedal force can unscrew the cog. This isn't a problem with freewheels, because the freewheel prevents the drivetrain from applying significant backwards force on the threaded connection between freewheel and hub.
I highly recommend getting the appropriate hub, or using a freewheel cog. If you
insist, I'd recommend taking considerable measures to hold everything in place:
1-Use red locktite on the threads, and tighten the cog down as hard as you can by stomping on the pedals with brakes applied.
2-Use red locktite on the threads, and tighten a bottom bracket lockring as hard as you can against the fixed cog, using it as a jamnut to grab more threads more aggressively.
And definitely keep both brakes installed.