Just yesterday I flipped my rear wheel around from the free cog (correct term?) to the fixed side. The bike is a basic "Vilano" brand single speed I got off of Amazon and have been happy with.
I did my best to align the rear wheel once I had it in place, secured it well, and positioned it with some good tension on the chain. I don't have any special tools or equipment (yet), so I did as well as I could for now.
After riding a bit I noticed a few things and wanted ANY AND ALL input, advice, wisdom, corrections, etc that anyone here could offer...
1. I noticed when I really stomped down on the rear-positioned pedal in an attempt to skid it felt like the cog or pedals slipped or unscrewed for maybe a quarter revolution. My thought was that the cog or pedals were unscrewing (off the cassette or crank, respectively? Again, I'm slowly learning the terms.), but I figured this may not be the case since it seemed to catch itself and not just keep slipping/unscrewing. What's happening? And how do I fix it?
2. I also noticed a bit of a sound like spokes were rubbing together... I'm not sure of this may have been just because my tire pressure was a bit low, or if maybe the sound was actually the chain making some noise for whatever reason. How do you measure or calibrate or insure that the chain is aligned properly, and how exact can/should it be? I was also wondering what the appropriate amount of tension should be to a fixed chain, is there's a rule of thumb, variable by ratio or chain used?
3. Also, what tools/equipment/supplies would you recommend for basic maintenance and tune-ups? What should be on the shortlist for keeping things in good working order?
I really appreciate the help! I'm starting from a point of little to no knowledge, but plenty of interest, enthusiasm, and general handy skills ready to be applied. If this is well-covered ground in prior threads and reference sites I'm more than happy to take a given link to those and run with it.
Thanks!
I did my best to align the rear wheel once I had it in place, secured it well, and positioned it with some good tension on the chain. I don't have any special tools or equipment (yet), so I did as well as I could for now.
After riding a bit I noticed a few things and wanted ANY AND ALL input, advice, wisdom, corrections, etc that anyone here could offer...
1. I noticed when I really stomped down on the rear-positioned pedal in an attempt to skid it felt like the cog or pedals slipped or unscrewed for maybe a quarter revolution. My thought was that the cog or pedals were unscrewing (off the cassette or crank, respectively? Again, I'm slowly learning the terms.), but I figured this may not be the case since it seemed to catch itself and not just keep slipping/unscrewing. What's happening? And how do I fix it?
2. I also noticed a bit of a sound like spokes were rubbing together... I'm not sure of this may have been just because my tire pressure was a bit low, or if maybe the sound was actually the chain making some noise for whatever reason. How do you measure or calibrate or insure that the chain is aligned properly, and how exact can/should it be? I was also wondering what the appropriate amount of tension should be to a fixed chain, is there's a rule of thumb, variable by ratio or chain used?
3. Also, what tools/equipment/supplies would you recommend for basic maintenance and tune-ups? What should be on the shortlist for keeping things in good working order?
I really appreciate the help! I'm starting from a point of little to no knowledge, but plenty of interest, enthusiasm, and general handy skills ready to be applied. If this is well-covered ground in prior threads and reference sites I'm more than happy to take a given link to those and run with it.
Thanks!