Chain trouble with my new fixie
 

Hello everyone,

I just bought my first fixed gear bicycle and a short while after riding it I heared a clacking noise and also the chain came of very easily. So my best guess is that the chain is too long and I need to let someone shorten it.

However when reading up on some forums, I heard that a common newbie mistake is, to make the chain too tight. So I felt like asking if there could be a different issue or if it is indeed the chain.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=381331

I would appreciate any advice.

Greetings,
Ole

Tension your chain

Look how saggy your chain is compared to the one in this video

See if you can achieve proper chain tension with the current length of the chain. I'd assume the chain was at least close to the proper length after purchase.
If not, take a link out with a chain breaker and try again.

Well, it looks like you can move the wheel about an inch back in the drop outs. That would probably be a good start

Life is crazy.

Haha.

It appears as though you're using your wheel's reflector as a chain tensioner - this is incorrect.

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...p;d=1400481107

ha

if the chain falls off you will probably have serious regretts. Also tighen the chain from the position that is the tightest when rotating the crank. It will not be a perfect circle and one spot will likely produce the tightest chain tension. Notice crank arm position for reference and adjust from this position. Just a bit of slack at this position and you should be fine.

Pull the wheel back into the drop outs until the chain is taught... Get the wheel centered, then tighten the nuts down tight so it doesn't slip when you put back pressure...

After you deal with the chain tension, get some foot retention...especially if you are running this puppy without brakes.
Srsly.

He can just run around breaking like this http://velochimp.com/wp-content/uplo...ll-450x327.jpg

Check out Sheldon Brown's site for lots of info on fixed gear riding, set up, pieces and parts. Specifically read about "rear wheel installation" Fixed Gear Bicycles for the Road

Love that pic above. But I'm not that limber or at least never have been that desperate. Did the rider drop the chain, had no brakes and going downhill?

Yeah, descending from 5400ft downhill and his chain dropped going close to 40mph. Not a situation I ever want to be in.

Thanks for all the advice. Instead of taking a link out of the chain, I have just positioned the backwheel farther back, like you said.
I'm not going brakeless. Today I rode the bike in my vibrams. Only for the short distance to work though.