maintenance question
 

howdy ladies and gents
just stumbled upon this place when i shold have been working, and it seems like the right place for me to ask a question i have.

i just entered the world of fixed-gear riding. i was a mtn rider at first, and when i moved i got a fixed gear to commute on, because i had heard that they were great for fitness and cadence. anyway, i love my bike and i commute on it everyday, but since i have no real experience with it i dont know what i need to look for maintenance-wise. it seems like it should be pretty simple, keep the drivetrain in line, tires pumped and chain tight. i just want to make sure im not missing anything. also, how often do you guys replace your chains? ive been riding since june, probably about 8-10 miles a day. should i be worried about stretch in the chain yet?

thanks for you help
peace

Keep air in the tires, lube the chain, and repack the bearings every couple of thousand miles and you should be fine.
You can take the bike to a shop and have it checked with a chain checker (or get your own) You can also pull the chain away from chainring at the middle. If the chain clears the teeth then it is time for a new chain and possibly chainring/cog.

I try to check my chain tension every few rides just by pressing down on the chain and looking for play.

track nuts for the back wheel so that baby doesn't slip. Just check the chain tension everytime you go out and you should be fine.