Yesterday I upgraded to pair of Deep Vs and also replaced my rear cog. I was running a 48x16 and now I'm on 48x18. However, I did not change my chain and the new wheel and cog fit ok but something feels off when I ride. Is it just me getting used to the new gear ratio or should I opt for a slightly longer chain?

your chain should work for that big of a step up. Especially if you were at the end of your dropouts w/ the 48 x 16. I personally run 48 x 17 and I think it's a good gear ratio. Plus it gives you 17 skid patches. Unless you installed the cog/lockring wrong, I donno what could "feel off".

It depends on how tight your chain is. Is the wheel buried in the forkends/drops? Do you have any room to move the wheel forward? If your chain is tight as hell it might feel a little off but if not than you just need to grow a pair. That or get a smaller cog to put you back where you were.

Make sure to re-tighten your lockring after you ride around for a while. You should only need to do this once.

I forgot to mention that before I went out for a ride my rear wheel was centered and and the lockrings were tight. However, when I came home I noticed that the wheel was completely misaligned. I attributed this to either me not tightening the lockring enough (i'm pretty damn sure I did) or that the chain was pulling the wheel forward on one side. I'm not sure if this makes sense. If it happens again tonight, Imma take a pic and post it.

Tighten them track nuts down hard. You probably just had a little slip.

Loose lockring doesn't result in a misaligned wheel, as it holds the cog in place and not the axle. The chain is always pulling harder on the drive side, so if your wheel isn't secure, it will tend to slip out of alignment. Your axle nuts are probably loose, so check (and grease) them.

Definitely grease the threads on the track nights and crank down pretty good on them.

wait I'm putting grease on the axle nuts that hold the wheel in place? wouldn't that cause it to loosen?

I apologize for my ignorance

oh and I meant to say before that I had tightened up the axle nuts, not the lockring.The mechanic at my LBS took care of that.

it prevents the nuts and axle from rusting/corroding and seizing up. You pretty much do it on all metal/metal contact points.

they will hold the axle tight if you tighten them down enough, grease and all. Just don't overtighten and break an axle or something. The grease helps when it's time to loosen the nuts.

I'm guessing I should just put a bit of phil wood grease inside and not on the threading of the axle nut?

I don't know how worn your chain is but a worn chain on a new freewheel isn't always a good match.

it doesn't matter. put it on the axle or on the inside of the axle nut. either way, it's gonna do the same thing. I would try not to get any on the actual dropouts, though.

I agree with what else has been said, you probably just didn't tighten down your axle nuts all the way. Crank down on them hard!

Also, you don't want your chain too tight. You should be able to move it up and down at least 1/2" but preferrably more.

yeah I've had my chain for about 6 months, should still be ok, It hasn't seen that heavy usage. Nonetheless, I ordered a new chain and will be swapping it for the old chain once i GET IT.

oh and thanks for all the help guys

Remember, grease on the threading of the nut helps you get the night MUCH TIGHTER than if you tried to tighten it "dry".

really is that so? I really never knew that. I'm not being sarcastic. I learn something new everyday on this forum.

It sure is. As you tighten the bolt, the friction on the threads increases, which prevents you from tightening it any further.

The grease helps fight that friction, so you can continue tightening the bolt.

The same is true of your cog and anything else that is threaded.

Half an inch? Really?

after six months of riding, your chain probably has worn into the old cog. i would say go ahead and replace the chain to avoid abnormal wear on the new cog.

NUT.... nut.

yeah but then don't u run the risk of stripping the nut?

I'd argue that you are more likely to do so if you don't grease the threads.

do not over tighten the nut as you can strip it if you over tighten it, tighten it down till it stops then give it another 1/4 turn and thats it, but before you do that add one of these.

chain tensioner eh? what exactly do they and do they work?