get anoyher link or 1/2

so we agree its a QR since theres no grip whatever on the jawn.

even if it wasnt QR id say it needs another link. but that makes it a no-contest imo.

and lol @ the poll being dead even!

That looks like a phil style axle bolt what with the hex lookin thing on it.

yes. it is.

The bicycle shops are now open and eager to supply extra chain links at low, low, low prices. Get yours today!

So the good news is, I made it to work wkith no slippage or problems this morning, but I'll probably add a link when I get home tonight.

You're in Austin. We have yellowbike. No excuses man, throw another link in there! The next life you save... may be your own. ;)

i mean you shouldn't have a problem, but if you can fit another link on the chain why not?

I'd probably do it like that if there were a reason like if the dropouts were too short to add a link or if I needed the short chain for another gear. If there no good reason, just add a link.

Yes you certainly will die, but the chances of it's being precipitated by that chain setup seem very slim to me. If it were mine I'd add a couple of links for my own comfort, but I wouldn't let that setup keep me inside when I'd rather be riding.

The question is not whether or not you will die, but what is death? For thousands of years Native American sages have believed that death on a fixed gear bike (in Native American: "canoe") would infact elevate your existance to the plane of the gods.

the cheaper way is adding a link or 2. if you have the $ and want to keep the wheel that close (i assume for a quicker handle) then buy a surly tugnutt chain tensioner so that way you will be safe.
* i did the same with my bike

Dont sweat it. I had mine like that for years. My horizontal drop outs arent as deep as yours so I couldnt put another link it in without having a loose chain. I have no problems and no "near-death" claims. If you can add another link without having a loose chain, go for it. 1/2 links are ***** and would recommend riding with what is shown compared to installing 1/2 links.

Really? I was thinking of running a chain made up of 1/2 links. I saw a picture somewhere and it looked very cool.

I am ALMOST positive that half links only come in 1/8" and not 3/32"... can anyone say otherwise on this?
So then you have to change your chainring and rear sprocket to 1/8" (BMX) or you will start getting serious sloppy chain play. I dont know if this is true or not but I was told that a few fixies ended getting "F"-ed up due to riding a 1/8" on 3/32" gearing due to popping a chain into the bad side of the wheel on a descent... not something I want to find out the hardway on. Anyway...

Also there are hard as hell to find and have to special order them from a bike shop unless you are lucky.

Also, every track and fixed rider that I have talked to, especially the ones that have professional build experience say that 1/2 links arent as strong as regular links for some reason... the torque output on a track/fixed compared to that of a geared (derailleur) is expotentially greater, blah blah blah.

So some of this is heresay and the other is unfounded opinion.

There are 3/32 half links.

hardware stores are your friend. and they won't charge you out the ass for one either.

I've done that too. I was lucky I was on the sidewalk when I started off cause that first pedal stroke tore the wheel right out and I just hit the ground. I bet it was funny as hell to watch. but not so funny if I had done it in front of a car.

So I went to take off the wheel to add a link and guess what? One of the hex nuts is stripped out, so it will have to be ok for a few more days until I get to the bike shop. Aaargh.

Sam

Just look closely at the nuts. Is any part of the nut not in contact with the dropout that would come into contact with the dropout if the wheel were moved back? (You may have to read that a few times before it makes sense) If yes, add a link. If no, you're fine.

1/2 links aren't as strong because the plate is bent, not flat. it adds a twisting stress component to the pulling stress that is present on normal links. the two add up to be more than what a flat plates sees, so it breaks easier.

but once you have one 1/2 link, whats a whole chain of them? it only takes one to break...

+1
No-Bueno for sure