So I have a problem, I have converted my bike into a single speed, keeping the rear freewheel in-tact. The frame has a horizontal drop out, so that is what I used to tension the chain. My problem is that when I pedal starting out, the chain torques the wheel so that it moves slightly and hits the frame. Once I get moving, the wheel is relatively straight again. Any suggestions? Is there some kind of a stopper I could insert into the dropout so that the wheel doesn't move when force is applied to the chain? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Pics or it doesn't happen.

Also, delete your double-posted thread.

Weird, loose axle, broken axle, loose nuts, loose quick release. Sounds like you should go to dedicated bike store and ask them.

if it's quick release that's your problem.

incorrect

Unless he has a ****ty QR lever. But what fixed/single speed wheelset has provision for a QR? The only one I can think of is the dimension hubs.

Sorry about the double post, can't figure out how to remove it. Here are some pics. It is a quick release, don't know how old.

If it straightens itself out then something is broken.

Correct. On the account of having crappy QR levers as said. I had a suicide hub disc wheel (don't ask) that was QR, I could use a lever pulled out of God's ass but the thing still slipped. Using chain tugs and locking skewers worked fantastically though.

So a tensioner will help?

its not slipping BECAUSE it has A quick release...the chain puts no more torque on it simply because its a single speed. It could be a crappy quick release, user error or some other issue, but you can't simply say that if it has a QR, that must be the problem.

I think it is the QR slipping in this case. If it starts off like that, it's probably from the initial momentum and stress on the freewheel that pulls it forward, but once it starts rolling 'corrects' itself. My guess would be to try and go to your local bike shop and pick up a QR skewer for $10.

I don't think tensioners would work in this instance, with the frame you have, although I stand to be corrected. Another route is that you can have the QR axle replaced with a bolt-on one.

No matter what the cause of the problem, there is a solution that will work: Surly Tuggnut or other comparable chain tug.

Thanks Aeroplane, using a chain tug, even on a conversion, will work fine.

Cool, I will give that a try, but I am unfamiliar with chain tugs, what is the concept?

Oh I see what they've done there.

In this instance, a tensioner / tuggnut will keep your axle in place to avoid it slipping forward... most people use them on their fixed gears because of the high wattage they put on the frame, pulling the axle forward. Since there is usually some room for the axle to slip, they want to avoid this by using a tensioner to hold it in place.

Additionally, they also help keep your chain tight (again as it cannot slip forward) but you can adjust the tension on them to pull the axles further back.