Chain tension? Track dropouts? and Phoenix
 

So, my bike is an old Nishiki Century, converted to fixed... But Im having trouble keeping the chain tight, any pointers? Im cranking the nuts down pretty tight but it doesnt seem to be workin all that great.

Would it be worth it to put track dropouts on my bike? Ive found them around for not to much but what does it take to actually get them on? a jig? or just some careful measuring?

Last but not least, I might be moving to Phoenix here in the next few months, anyone ride there? Im not familiar with the city at all. how are the LBS and such?

thanks!

are you having trouble getting your track nuts to stay tightened down, or is your chain tension bad to begin with? if it's the latter, and you have horizontal dropouts, maybe you need to take a link out of your chain if the axle goes all the way back and you still dont have good chain tension. it seems like it could be an easy fix, i wouldn't bother with the track dropouts idea unless you love the frame.

What kind of nuts are these? Maybe post a pic of the setup. If you're using serrated flange nuts or your locknuts don't have any bite, those could be problems.

Track ends are really only useful for bikes with extremely tight clearances (track, time trial bikes), which is why road bikes typically have dropouts. If you want to use a chain tensioner you can still use one with dropouts.

Uh what. You can't use chain tensioners on any fixed gears.

Chain tensioner = chain tug in this case, not a singlator-style SS tensioner.

The chain is the right length, its just not staying tight. As the setup goes its a Nashbar hub laced to a Deep V (i know i know) and the nuts are serrated and flanged...

When you pedal does the tension vary? It may be that your chainring is off center.

Dominic's Bike shop probably has the most fixed gear stuff in town. One is in Tempe and I believe the other is in Scottsdale. The amount of bikers around depends on where you live. More people ride near the ASU campus and downtown. There is some decent disc golf down there too. I say 'down there' because I live in Flagstaff.

The tension doesnt vary, no. But if i don't pedal just like let my legs go limp and then start pedaling again it feels like there was "slack". I dont really know how to explain it. Unless that works. That might be due to my crankset though I still have the stock one with double rings on it...

Dom's is a good shop. **** **** ton of riders. the summers get so ****ing hot and no one goes outside....invest in a big camelbak

**** the **** **** ******* ****** ****** **** for real?

the misfits... :thumbup: