Hi All -

I am in the process of converting a 1987 Bianchi Strada to a fixed gear but I have run into a snag. I managed to remove the freewheel and get the track sprocket on but there is not enough thread left for my lockring. Am I doing something wrong?

Cheers!

Yes- that's not fixed-gear/track hub! You CAN put a fixed cog on there,with or without a lockring, and locktite or JBweld it, but that's called a 'suicide' conversion for a reason. This is proper fixed-gear thread:

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I knew it was a suicide conversion - but without a lockring its a bit too suicide-ish for me. I went up to my LBS and they think a BB lockring will fit. They said they have some in their scrap bin that they can put on for me so I will give that a try. Eventually I will just buy a new rear wheel - or try to build one up (though I have no idea how to do that).

Sketchhhhy

Even with a 'lockring' on it, it will still be suicide-ish. The reason a fixed hub lockring works is because the threading is reversed from the cog. If the cog slips and starts to unthread, the direction of its rotation will tighten the lockring and keep the cog from unthreading completely.

A BB ring over your cog will provide no such security. The force with which the cog unthreads will just take that BB ring (on the same threading) right along with it. Red loctite or JB Weld that cog on there if you want peace of mind.

loctite red and F&R brakes

I would feel safe riding around on a fixed gear w/o a lockring, since I don't skid.

Despite what I said, I have, too- My second FG was a suicide conversion, JBwelded. Held up great- so great, that when I went to take it off, I destroyed the hub

yeah, you can do it if you have a brake. but if you aren't running a brake, you ABSOLUTELY need a new rear wheel. A lot of times track bikes don't have lockrings, but they also don't skid. Go to benscycle or Bicyclewheelwarehouse, and you can get a COMPLETE wheelset for like 90 bucks. It's worth it. Not being able to skid is no fun! Besides, peace of mind goes a long way b/c you will have more confidence to ride hard and that is more fun, too.

Also, post a pic of your bike plz. I have a conversion that I believe to be an 87 strada, but I can't be sure.

Thanks for the responses. So I guess I will just go with the jb weld or loctite red and a front brake. Eventually I will just replace the rear wheel when I get used to riding a fixed gear.

Which is better: JB Weld or Loctite Red?

PedallingATX - I can't find a $90 wheel set on those websites - can you link it to me? I will post a pic next week when I finish it.

Cheers!

It depends- do you plan on taking the cog off? If not, then JBweld is just about permanent. Make sure you're happy with the chainline, too.

Red Loctite is pretty tough, but i would suggest not using the cranks to slow yourself down/skid, and keep both brakes equipped.

No I don't plan on taking it off - The cog didn't cost me much. So I should make sure the chain line is good then take the cog back off and apply the JB weld and put it back on? If I go with JB weld is it safe to just run the front brake? (The rear brake was bad and I don't want to buy another one).

Thanks for the help!

Here are links to four cheap wheel sets:

https://www.bicyclewheelwarehouse.com...&productId=204

https://www.benscycle.net/index.php?m...oducts_id=5140

https://www.benscycle.net/index.php?m...oducts_id=5142

https://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ls&ProdID=1441

Great! Thanks for the links.

1 a small amount of jb weld (small OK. like half a pea small)
2 rotafix
3 BB lockring with small amount of JB weld (even less than before)
4 tighten lockring
5 enjoy

Even sheldon brown thinks the name "suicide hub" is alarmist if you have brakes.

Thanks for the tips! I found this document on rotafixing:

https://204.73.203.34/fisso/files/sch...g_sprocket.pdf

Since I need to make sure the chain line is straight before I start permanently attaching the sprocket - do I just put the sprocket on first (snug enough to remove with a whip) and line everything up and then take it back off apply the JB weld and rotafix it?

Well I finished it. My LBS had a bontrager track wheel laying around that he sold to me for cheap and I went with that instead of a suicide hub. I got them to help me get the chain line straight. Took it for a ride - its so different. I had trouble getting my foot under the strap on my pedal but once I did all was good. Trying to lock my legs to stop exercises a muscle I didn't even know existed. I will attach a pic this weekend. Thanks for all of the advice!

2 brakes would be wise

Wise? Why is that? This guy is probably not THAT green; I'm sure he can handle riding with just one brake.

You want to bet a lawsuit on that?

I am only running one brake but I rode around for the last hour or so and I seem to be able to stop fast enough.

I'm using Sheldon's logic on this one.

Suicide hub - "Despite the silly name, this is no more dangerous than using a freewheel, as long as you keep front and rear hand brakes installed."

I can't find it right now, but the scenario he used to justify this opinion is something like: If a truck pulls out in front of you, you might give the front brake a hard pull - causing cable failure. At this point you back pedal hard - causing the cog to unscrew. Now, you have zero means of stopping.

I'm sure this is an unlikely scenario, but I'm all for redundancy in safety systems. I think it was drilled into me through setting up anchors for rock climbing.

EDIT: My original 2 brake comment was made without reading that the OP now has a proper hub. So, nevermind.

Ive been riding my "suicide conversion" (Loc-tite and a prayer) for over three years... never a problem... and OF COURSE I run a rear brake with that rig.

With loctite (red) you need to install the cog and lock ring and allow 24 hours to allow the loctite to cure properly... jb weld also has a curing time.

My main squeeze has been going for well over 12,000 km with a suicide hub and my last cog change required three guys and a torch to get the cog off.

Although I run and normally rely on a front brake I also back brake (alot) and skid and have never had an issue... but YMMV.

This is one good reason for a proper hub... you can change cogs easily and with a suicide hub (I don;t like this name either) you run a risk of destroying the freewheel hub.