Fixed Gear First Timer - Chainline Issues
 

Hello all, my name is Chris, and I've loved being on two wheel as opposed to my own two legs for as long as I can remember. Anyway, as you might have been able to tell from the title, I am getting involved in the fixie/single-speed world of it, but I'm hitting a few snags.

My current issue is I am having some serious problems with my chainline. To be specific, either my fixed hear cog is much too far inward on my rear wheel, or my single speed crank just cannot get close enough inward to match up. It seems that no matter how many spacers I would put in to push that cog outward, would it reach in-line with my crank..

I'll give a rundown of all the parts I currently have. I am basically building from scratch, so I've been buying some of the cheaper parts I can find, and will upgrade as I get more experience (and a little more money than the typical college student has to spend).

Frame: 58cm Pure Fix Cycles Track Bike Frame Set
- Amazon.com: Pure Fix Cycles Fixed Gear Track Bike Frame Set, 58cm/Large, Matte Black

Rear Wheel: Origin8 700c x 42mm fixed/freewheel flipflop hub

Bottom Bracket: Sunlite 68mm x 103mm Square Taper BB
-http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B003COD29C?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

Fixed Gear Cog: Avenir 1/2 x 1/8 (18T) Cog :: Avenir Lockring to match
-http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B003BC8IW6?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00

Freewheel: ACS Crossfire 3/32 (18T) Freewheel
-http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B004HNYSD6?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01

Crankset: Retrospec 44T Single Speed Crank (130mm BCD, 165mm Crank)
-http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FNT1EP8?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00

When all mounted (properly to the best of my knowledge), my chainline is off pretty significantly. I've chosen the shortest BB I could find at 103mm, and have even mounted the chainring on the opposite side of the crank arm just to get it closer to the frame. When I screw on the fixed cog and lockring just enough for it to not risk popping off, it still isn't as straight as I'd like.

If you guys and gals need to know anything else that I haven't mentioned, please ask away in the comments and I'll do my best to answer!

If any of you wonderful people have any insight or advice on the matter, I would really appreciate it! I've learned a lot so far through trial and error, and I'll be heading up to a bike mechanic/repair shop sometime this week to hopefully learn some more!

:crash:

#kilott #langster #:crash:

Can you tell us what the chainline actually measures and have you tried calling retrospec?

Short of calling Retrospec, have you tried throwing that bike off a cliff and getting something better, like...oh, I dunno...a Kilo TT? :)

Seriously though, how "off" is your chainline? A couple/few millimeters isn't going to kill you, or make your bike burst into flames.

So many people too cool for school on this forum...I guess you all were just innately born with the knowledge you have...

Mr Chris,
Welcome to fixed gear riding, you're going to have a blast if you don't kill yourself. Tough to say what's going on without seeing what you're talking about. Some thoughts though:
1. Don't try to do a bunch of weird stuff to get it straight. It should work when everything is installed properly...and safely
2. Is the dropout bent? (apparently a typical problem with these frames)
3. Your BB may not be the right size
4. "When I screw on the fixed cog and lockring just enough for it to not risk popping off" Don't do this you're going to kill yourself
5. If it's not too late, think about returning frame and spending a few more dollars on a kilo frameset you won't regret it (amazon has pretty liberal return policies)
6. Just take it to a bike shop

What is "Significantly"? Numbers please.

"Too cool for school"

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jwuarYEKbO...for-school.gif

Some of the cool kids ride Langsters, I bought one hoping to be cool some day...

Oh-oh! A civil response! You sound like a decent sort...I hope they don't ban you from the forum.

No one has ever been banned from the forum for being civil.

I know. I'm just being a wise-guy. Seriously, though, a few people did get shooed away from this forum. Their only crime was being a noob. How about a standard boiler-plate like: "Welcome to the forum. Your question(s) is(are) answered in the stickies at the top of the page. Check there first and come back if you have more questions." There's no fun in it, but it's better for public relations.

Any chance you have read the introduction to this section of the forum?

http://www.bikeforums.net/singlespee...cky-index.html

Huh ? There's already a bunch of stickies that cover most questions. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.

But, you can beat that dead horse over and over and over, and then whine if someone posts a smartask response to a question that gets posted every 17 hous (I measured that, you know).

What question? OP asked about chain line with a specific set of components. That's exactly the kind of question the forum is good for. I'm still not sure why the initial negatives except that he was building a cheap bike.

So they jump in and ask their question without looking at the top of the page. Do you ALWAYS read the instructions before trying to assemble something? Do you ALWAYS read and obey traffic signs? Ever take a test and screw it up because you didn't read the directions at the top of the page? Etc., etc.

You suggested something that already exists without even looking to see that it already exists, and do it in a condcendng manner. Then, instead of saying oops, you post this garbage. Fail!!!

Maybe you misunderstand me. I suggested a standard response to be given to someone in response to their posted thread. Instead of the cartoon of the guy hitting the monitor with a hammer. Am I missing something? If I am, please excuse me, I'm just a noob.

Check the link I provided you and the information inside of it against this. Also, note the warning. Then, maybe you will see many things, including a warning about the SS/FG folks are a lively crowd.

[QUOTE=Kindaslow;17986682]You suggested something that already exists without even looking to see that it already exists, and do it in a condcendng manner. Then, instead of saying oops, you post this garbage. Fail!!![
/QUOTE]

The examples I gave of not following instructions? Please don't think I'm being condescending, because I've done all of those things, more than a few times. Maybe because I'm older than most of you.

[QUOTE=habilis;17986715]My oldest is 30 and I am grandpa to 7. Not all that young myself. The world might be a better place if folks said oops and sorry after stepping in "it" in place of "you hurt my feelings."

It isn't how old you are that counts; it's how big your wang is.

[QUOTE=Kindaslow;17986714]Check the link I provided you and the information inside of it against this. Also, note the warning. Then, maybe you will see many things, including a warning about the SS/FG folks are a lively crowd.[/QUOTE

Thanks for the link, I've already read all of that and the other stickies as well. Again, I'm suggesting something entirely different - a standard response to questions (even if they're dumb) that points the newcomer to the stuff in the forum header. If you think that's too much trouble, it's nothing compare to the energy spent on tirades that don't really tell the guy anything, other than that he's not welcome. The way things are going, you're just maintaining a closed, little society. I guess that's okay if it's your goal. I enjoy reading about SS/FG stuff, but soon there won't be anything new to read. If you tell me I should be the welcoming committee, I wouldn't mind doing it when I happen to be on line. But it's not something one person should do. When I joined BF, a senior member took the trouble to welcome me. Just a formality, I know, but appreciated.