Hi Everyone.

On the weekend I put together my first fixed gear bike. I had the bike shop build the rear wheel since I did not feel up to that yet. The fellow told me to ride it once and then come back so that he could tighten the cog and lockring. I did so but when I came back the next day another mechanic was there and he said that all he needed to do was to check and make sure that the lockring was secure and tight. I am concerned because I have read that you can strip a rear fixed hub. Some people say that making too tight will do this others that if the cog is loose.

Can anyone shed some light on this? The surly hub was not cheap and I sure don't want to strip it.

thanks

Geoff

As long as the cog and lockring were installed and tightened down properly you should be fine and confident riding on that wheel.
I installed my new cog myself and was a little weary, but I was also extra cautious.
I also have Surly hubs if that helps, they are tough.

No worries.

Mechanic #1 installed the cog/lockring using hand tools. (A chain whip and a lockring spanner)

You rode it for a while and the torque of your legs on the chain may have torqued the cog onto the hub a little harder than the mechanic had originally installed it using hand tools.

Mechanic #2- Checked to make sure the lockring was still snugged down against the cog to prevent it from having any back and forward play in it which could strip the hub over time (ofr all at once if you skidded really hard)

If Mechanic #2 gave it a go-ahead I'd say you should be fine to go ride worry free.

By riding it, you tightened the cog down on the hub. He simply made sure the lock ring was tightened up against the cog in-case your riding DID tighten if more than the chain-whip they used upon initial installation.

Thanks folks. I must admit it was a bit different riding this at first. I bike to work all year round and wanted this for winter. So far I really enjoy the fixed gear, it gives you a feeling of control that you don't have on other bikes. I think it might be a steeper learning curve for the occasional biker though, since I bike all the time my legs are quite strong, so after getting used to the fixed gear I felt quite good. A buddy of mine who does not bike much got on next and did not like it at all.

thanks for the advice.