Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Singlespeed & Fixed Gear
Reload this Page >

wrong cog size? help PLEASE!

Search
Notices
Singlespeed & Fixed Gear "I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer? We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear!"-- Henri Desgrange (31 January 1865 - 16 August 1940)

wrong cog size? help PLEASE!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 09-26-09 | 09:09 PM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: soCAL

Bikes: univega fixed.

wrong cog size? help PLEASE!

do you guys think the reason for my wobbling and tight/loosen chainline while riding is because my cog size is wrong? i think my setup is 1/8 48t, 1/8 KMC chain ( think kmc only make blue chain in 1/8), and 3/32 16t cog (i think 3/32). because when the chain is on the 48t chainring its fitted perfectly and i notice in cog, the chain is not fitted perfectly in the cog, i can wiggle the chain side to side when its in the cog. is it possible that my cog is 3/32? and im planning to get a 17t 1/8 one IF my cog is 3/32 right now. because im sick of getting one skid patch. might as well change but asking first to see if my front IS 48t 1/8 and 1/8 chain.

and would i need a different lockring IF my cog right now is 16t 3/32 to fit a 17t 1/8??
also do you guys prefer 48/17 or 48/15
mikeee is offline  
Reply
Old 09-26-09 | 09:18 PM
  #2  
JacoKierkegaard's Avatar
Fixed-gear roadie
 
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,048
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington, NC

Bikes: 2008 Masi Speciale Fixed

It's been my understanding that using a mix of 3/32 and 1/8 components was harmless (provided of course it's a 1/8 chain), but w/e. It's more likely that your loose chain tension is caused by something like not tightening your nuts enough, but someone with experience with mixed drivetrains can chime in on that.

You can use the same lockring, that has nothing to do with cog size.

As for 48x17 vs. 48x15, that one's really up to you, but keep in mind that those are two really different ratios. If you find the 48x16 steep at times then going to 48x15 won't be a good idea, and likewise if you find yourself spun out at your current gear the 17t won't be your best bet, although the former scenario is much more likely. Since you mentioned skid patches, it'll be much harder to skid with a 15t cog than with a 17t.

Gear ratio is one of those things that you should really select based on riding conditions and personal preference, not skid patches. If you don't want to change it, your best bet for getting more skid patches would be to go for a 47 or 49 tooth chainring, though that will be more expensive. Again, the 47t will make your ratio slightly lower (but not as much as changing a cog) so I'd err on that side for skidding purposes.

Last edited by JacoKierkegaard; 09-26-09 at 09:23 PM.
JacoKierkegaard is offline  
Reply
Old 09-26-09 | 09:31 PM
  #3  
the_don's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,938
Likes: 2
From: Tokyo
usually if the chain is getting tighter and looser, it's because the chainring is not sitting perfectly centered, which means as it spins, the chain will get tighter and looser.

Check Sheldon Brown's site for how to align it properly.
the_don is offline  
Reply
Old 09-26-09 | 09:55 PM
  #4  
NiMO189's Avatar
Guppy
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: Duluth, MN

Bikes: 2003 KHS Flite 500, c1973 Batavus Tour de l'Europe FW conversion, 2010 C'dale CAAD9 'cross

I doubt is is because of an 1/8" chain on a 3/32" cog. All that will do is wear out the cog faster. More likely it is due some combination of the following: the chainwheel and/or cog aren't completely round (due to wear or poor manufacturing standards); the chainwheel is bent or isn't centered on the crankarm; the crankarm is bent or isn't seated well on the BB spindle.
NiMO189 is offline  
Reply
Old 09-26-09 | 09:57 PM
  #5  
NiMO189's Avatar
Guppy
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: Duluth, MN

Bikes: 2003 KHS Flite 500, c1973 Batavus Tour de l'Europe FW conversion, 2010 C'dale CAAD9 'cross

As for the lockring, it should work on either.
NiMO189 is offline  
Reply
Old 09-26-09 | 11:27 PM
  #6  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: soCAL

Bikes: univega fixed.

well my bottom bracket is loose, can that add to the issue? and is 48x17 good for daily? use more strength? faster top speed? and easier to skid than 48x16? i hate the one skidpatch on 48x16..
mikeee is offline  
Reply
Old 09-27-09 | 01:45 AM
  #7  
calf man's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
From: Atascadero, CA
A loose bottom bracket will definitely cause the problem you describe.
calf man is offline  
Reply
Old 09-27-09 | 10:04 AM
  #8  
JohnDThompson's Avatar
Old fart
Titanium Club Membership
20 Anniversary
Community Builder
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 26,347
Likes: 5,252
From: Appleton WI

Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.

Originally Posted by mikeee
do you guys think the reason for my wobbling and tight/loosen chainline while riding is because my cog size is wrong?
No; the most likely cause of a tight/loose chain is an off-center chainring. Sometimes you can reduce this by loosening the chainring bolts and shifting the ring's position a little, but some rings are machined far enough off-center that you'll never entirely eliminate it. This is particularly the case with road chainrings, where concentricity is not a major concern. True track chainrings tend to be manufactured to tighter tolerances and often cost considerably more for that reason.
JohnDThompson is offline  
Reply
Old 09-27-09 | 10:06 AM
  #9  
JohnDThompson's Avatar
Old fart
Titanium Club Membership
20 Anniversary
Community Builder
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 26,347
Likes: 5,252
From: Appleton WI

Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.

Originally Posted by NiMO189
I doubt is is because of an 1/8" chain on a 3/32" cog. All that will do is wear out the cog faster.
There is no difference in cog wear regardless of whether you use 1/8" or 3/32" chain.
JohnDThompson is offline  
Reply
Old 09-27-09 | 11:06 AM
  #10  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: soCAL

Bikes: univega fixed.

when my pedal arm side to side, i see my chain flex inwards then i let go of the pedal arm and it goes back to normal
mikeee is offline  
Reply

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.