Racuerex

Not really one for "intro" threads cause I know 99% of you could care less...but here goes anyway:

Sup, my name is Chris and I am from Northern California (Sonoma County, soon to be Concord), stumbled upon this forum after googling some information. Seems like a pretty cool place.....I used to race BMX and mountain bikes, this is my first roadbike. Anyways, just picked this up today in Berkeley and I'm pretty stoked about it!

Schwinn Varsity w/no name 3 peice cranks, fixed gear, with shimano clips and Alexrace R450 Rear Rim (anyone know where I can get a matching front?). Got it from a pretty cool dude right across from Wrench Science that runs a not for profit outfit who seems to know what he is doing.

gnat

just me or does that rear wheel look like it's about to drop out?

Racuerex

Its about halfway in there..., I don't think it is going to drop out *runs and checks*

Gyeswho

buy a surly chain tensioner for your back wheel so that way you can avoid a dropout from happening
DSC00904.JPG

btw nice color

Racuerex

Thanks...this tensioner?

I'veGotABikeSyd

I think he means this: https://www.surlybikes.com/parts/singleator_pop.html

Racuerex

For some reason I still think he means what I was talking about...I read about what you posted on another site and it said that it will not work on fixed gears because of the backwards pedal wont keep the chain tight and will derail it in some cases. I believe he was trying to "fix" my wheel from dropping out.

Jonny Pockets

Nice. That same bike was my first fixie, and I loved it. Welcome.

musicsucks

uh, couldn't he just add one more chain link and move the wheel back? those dropouts look more or less horizontal

Morgie

the rear wheel looks fine... ride the **** outta it... i would recommend a new saddle though, but dope ride man..

SD Fixed

Surly chain tensioner + fixie = bad.

Kol.klink

wellcome, nice ride, i'd ditch the rear brake and kick stand, its ture that you cant NOT use the surly single-ator tensoner, its for singlespeeding vertical drop outs, if you worried just add another link to the chain, also personally, i wouldnt worry about the rims, ride the S****it outa them till they die,(save some coin the the mean time) then buy some expensive ones

Sammyboy

*sigh*

Gyeswho posted A PICTURE. By looking at that, you can see that it's a chain tensioner which pulls the axle back in the dropouts, NOT a singulator. Looking is a good idea.

gargiulo.mike

no that wouldnt stop **** from falling out

blickblocks

lol kickstand

ahayter

mine is about to drop out... yours is beyond fine.

Boss Moniker

Don't start upgrading stuff, or you won't stop. Keep it as your beater, then if you really like fixed riding, buy a track bike. Well, take off the rear brake, the kickstand, and maybe tweak your gear ratio.. that one looks a little low, unless you just want to polo on it or something.

Racuerex

Thanks for the comments. Ya, I've been into bikes for a while, the gear ratio will be judged after I ride it around for a few.

As for the singlerator...I knew that was a bad idea, and the guy posted the picture of the tentioner in question, which doesn't seem like overkill at all. I do think the rear brake is coming off, and I'm probly going to leave the dummy brakehood for comfort. As for the kickstand, I don't see any harm in keeping it, plus it came stock on that bike

j-lie

yeah, as long as the rear wheel is bolted (not quick release) in there nice and tight it's totally fine. just keep an eye on chain tension every once and a while. as for upgrades go with comfort stuff (ie. gear ratio, seat, bars, stem and pedals). doesn't have to be expensive, just stuff that'll make it easier to ride.

skinnyland

Those "chain tensioners" (that aren't really chain tensioners) only work with track ends. They pull the axle in the direction of the opening. With track ends, it works because the direction of the opening (toward the rear) is opposite that of the force applied by the chain (toward the cranks). On a frame with horizontal dropouts, the two forces are working in the same direction.

dirtyphotons

surly tuggnuts (and redline tensioners) work fine with horizontal dropouts, i and many others have done it. they are constructed differently than the mks tensioners and can fit around the back end of the dropout. no picture but i think you'll figure it out pretty much immediately.

congrats on the new ride racuerex.

willypilgrim

So did gears.