Hi everyone,

I just put together my first fixed gear bike. I read through Sheldon Brown's instructions but for some stupid reason missed this

"Note: if you have a nutted axle, it is vitally important that the threads be properly lubricated with grease or oil. You should also have grease or oil on the contact surface where the axle nut presses agains the washer that contacts the frame."


Needless to say I did not do this, nor did the bike shop guys when they checked my cog and lockring after my first ride (I had them build the wheel since I was not up to that yet).

By not lubbing the threads on the axle what am I in for..... in other words should I undo it and lube them and then put the thing back in place? Not that I am lazy it is just that the bike shop set the thing perfectly for chain tension, I had put it too loose apparently.

Thanks for any advice

Geoff

If it bothers you take em off and lube em up. Easy fix. I personally haven't made it a practice, but perhaps now I will.

Thanks, I am just wondering why he would say that it is so important, so that you can unscrew it later without problems or for adjusting or is this something unique for fixed gears. Sorry if my question is extremely amateur mechanical

If your riding in all weather conditions there is a chance it could seize up, which would be a problem if you ever want to change gearing. If you live in the Mojave Desert it probably won't be much of an issue. Its a good idea to grease any metal on metal connection.

If you don't lube them they'll seize up over the course of several months.

Undo it and lube it now. This isn't just about changing gearing, but about removing the wheel, which you'll need to do even to swap tires or tubes. If corrosion seizes up the nuts, that's a major problem. Besides, you should know how to set your chain tension yourself, and there are instructions on Sheldon's site on how to do so easily.

Good luck.

Thanks that makes sense. I am in Toronto so..... I think I will lube them

Awesome, that gif goes perfectly in time to Bear vs Shark - Entrance of the Elected.

www.tofixd.com

Also, come to my alleycat October 10th

Great site thanks. What is an alleycat?

Ok now my next newbie question, I bought some bike grease, how much do you recommend putting on the axles. This is probably a silly question but I have learned the hard way that it is better to ask a dumb question then assume you know and f... things up

thanks

Alleycat is a bike race.

With grease, the same rule applies as with anal sex. Too much lube is almost enough. Clean and grease the threads evenly, then wipe away the excess after you screw on the bolts.

hmm, not sure why i never thought to do this. I guess i'll do that after i get home from work.

I am going to do this as well, thank you BF!

Hey elTwitcho,

Since you are from Toronto as well, where would you recommend getting cheap (or at least reasonably priced) fixie parts in town?

I have a road bike frame that I got at a garage sale and was thinking about converting it, at my LBS they quoted new parts and they were out of my budget range to say the least Apart from craigslist etc, is there a store more dedicated to fixies that you would recommend.

Thanks

Geoff

Sheldon/Harris also makes a point to oil the free washer and axle nut interface. Lots of friction there I imagaine.

I wish Bear vs. Shark were still together

For fixed gear stuff, Bikes on Wheels in Kensington, Urbane Cyclist near OCAD and cyclemotive on Bathurst south of Queen street are all really good

For threads I usually just get some grease on a finger-tip - maybe the size of a Tic-Tac - and spread it onto the threads, as well as inside the nut.

Usually works.