Slack chain - London Fixed-gear and Single-speed

livingasleep · 31st July 2008

this may be a stupid question, but how do i stop my chain from being slack laterally. its not slack vertically at all, but there's quite a bit of sideways movement.

merci!

dopecasio · 31st July 2008

right chain size for the chainring/cog maybe?

horatio · 31st July 2008

As in, you don't have a straight chain line?

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/chainline.html

livingasleep · 31st July 2008

just realised this shouldve gone in the mechanics thread...

reading up on the chainline at the mo, looks like ill have to get the ruler out.

livingasleep · 31st July 2008

how do i determine what the right sizing of the chain is?

I guess I should paint a picture of what my bike is.

OTP steamroller. gee that was easy.

horatio · 31st July 2008

3/32 or 1/8 you mean? I assume an OTP Steamroller is 1/8th.

livingasleep · 31st July 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by horatio

3/32 or 1/8 you mean? I assume an OTP Steamroller is 1/8th.

dont think id have been sold a wrong chain size from BC. so it must be the chainline... irritates the fuck outta me.

gizmond · 31st July 2008

From the surly website

'Cassette

Surly fixed gear
3/32" 19tooth, Surly lockring included (f/w not included)
'

Never assume...

horatio · 31st July 2008

meh. good job catching it though.

livingasleep · 31st July 2008

why would an otp bike be sold with a non perfect chainline?? i dont get it...

hippy · 31st July 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by livingasleep

this may be a stupid question, but how do i stop my chain from being slack laterally. its not slack vertically at all, but there's quite a bit of sideways movement.

Where is this sideways movement occurring? Are you grabbing your chain in the middle and moving it side to side? How do you know it's moving too much? Are you sure your chain is tight enough? A 1/8th chain should still be fine for use with a 3/32 cog/chainring.

horatio · 31st July 2008

I was responding to gizmond, not you. I don't know if it has an off chain line. You can try to take a photo of it straight on, and post it. Can often tell that way easily.

ShannonBall · 31st July 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by livingasleep

why would an otp bike be sold with a non perfect chainline?? i dont get it...

Who knows. Maybe it was built up poorly. Take it back where you got it and make them do it right or replace it

livingasleep · 31st July 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by hippy

Where is this sideways movement occurring? Are you grabbing your chain in the middle and moving it side to side? How do you know it's moving too much? Are you sure your chain is tight enough? A 1/8th chain should still be fine for use with a 3/32 cog/chainring.

im grabbing the chain in the middle and moving it side to side yes. i dont know if im moving it too much, but i was helping ma3k with his chain yesterday and it was stiff as fucking board up,down left and right. there's very little up and down movement on my chain at the mo, but id say about a half inch sideways movement.

hippy · 31st July 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by horatio

I was responding to gizmond, not you. I don't know if it has an off chain line. You can try to take a photo of it straight on, and post it. Can often tell that way easily.

I was responding to the OP

livingasleep · 31st July 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by hippy

I was responding to the OP

everyone should learn to use the quote functions. hippy, whats wrong with my bike man?!?! answer me! i still owe you a pint.

gizmond · 31st July 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by livingasleep

im grabbing the chain in the middle and moving it side to side yes. i dont know if im moving it too much, but i was helping ma3k with his chain yesterday and it was stiff as fucking board up,down left and right. there's very little up and down movement on my chain at the mo, but id say about a half inch sideways movement.

Should be fine, I wouldn't worry about it. Or if you have to worry about it, take it back where you got and and say 'is this right Mr (or Mrs) bike pervayer'

livingasleep · 31st July 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by gizmond

Should be fine, I wouldn't worry about it. Or if you have to worry about it, take it back where you got and and say 'is this right Mr (or Mrs) bike pervayer'

im due a check up in BC anyway.

hippy · 31st July 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by livingasleep

im grabbing the chain in the middle and moving it side to side yes. i dont know if im moving it too much, but i was helping ma3k with his chain yesterday and it was stiff as fucking board up,down left and right. there's very little up and down movement on my chain at the mo, but id say about a half inch sideways movement.

Can you push the chain sideways and pedal without it falling off the chainring? When I say pedal I mean just move the cranks forward with your 3rd arm, pushing the chain outward to see if it comes off. It sounds to me like you just need to tension your chain a bit. What's the vertical movement like? HOw much up and down?

livingasleep · 31st July 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by hippy

Can you push the chain sideways and pedal without it falling off the chainring?

havent tried that but i suspect there isnt enough give that itll fall off.

hippy · 31st July 2008

Tighten your chain then check again..

livingasleep · 31st July 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by hippy

Tighten your chain then check again..

if its tight enough that there's little to no give in the vertical axis shouldnt it follow that there isnt any give on the horizontal??

Will check again...

hippy · 31st July 2008

You want a bit of movement up and down. 1/4" or so.
Then I'd not worry about side to side unless it's going to unship from the chainring.
If you are using 3/32 chain, they are designed to be more flexible side-to-side anyway to facilitate easier shifting on geared bikes. No biggie.

horatio · 31st July 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by hippy

I was responding to the OP

me too ;)

livingasleep · 31st July 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by hippy

You want a bit of movement up and down. 1/4" or so.
Then I'd not worry about side to side unless it's going to unship from the chainring.
If you are using 3/32 chain, they are designed to be more flexible side-to-side anyway to facilitate easier shifting on geared bikes. No biggie.

nice one Hippy. make that two pints I owe you. cheers mate.

hippy · 31st July 2008

Just don't crash out before you buy those pints ;)

31st July 2008	#1
livingasleep	Slack chain this may be a stupid question, but how do i stop my chain from being slack laterally. its not slack vertically at all, but there's quite a bit of sideways movement. merci!
	quote reply

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31st July 2008	#2
dopecasio	right chain size for the chainring/cog maybe?
	quote reply

31st July 2008	#3
horatio	As in, you don't have a straight chain line? http://www.sheldonbrown.com/chainline.html
	quote reply

31st July 2008	#8
gizmond	From the surly website 'Cassette Surly fixed gear 3/32" 19tooth, Surly lockring included (f/w not included) ' Never assume...
	quote reply

31st July 2008	#21
hippy	Tighten your chain then check again..
	quote reply

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