guys - i got my brand new sprockets for my rear double fixed wheel build. in terms of fitting these, before I screw them on do they need any special cog juice (thread lock?!) or can i whack em on ride up a hill and give the lock rings a good tightening?

any help/tips gratefully received.

Ved

You'll want to grease the threads first. Threadlock is not needed when you've got a lockring.

'Cog juice', I like... :D

And it's a good idea to back off a few turns here and there whilst you're doing the first fitting - spreads the grease around/makes sure threads running neatly. And a smear of grease on the shoulder where it will end up contacting the hub.

If you don't have a chainwhip to tighten the sprocket (I think a lot of people over-tighten anyway), you could just butt the front wheel up against a wall, and apply a bit of pressure on the pedals.

Cheers guys!

Isnt the force of the turning drivetrain is usually greater than what is achievable with a chainwhip?

And surely if the sprocket isnt fully tight, thread wear is more likely?

You probably know better than me, thats just what ive always thought...

No..

On one occasion, after over-tightening a sprocket with a chainwhip (then deciding to remove it before it was ridden), I bent 2 cheapish chainwhips trying to remove it, before taking it to Condor and watching them bend another chainwhip, then resort to fitting a length of pipe over a Dura-Ace one and wrestling with it for 5 minutes.

You just can't put that kind of force through the cranks, even in a low gear from a standing start.

I now tighten sprockets 'just-so' with the whip, and usually notice that when I come to remove the sprocket (if switching to a different riding discipline), it takes about the same amount of force with the chainwhip to remove it. Never stripped hub threads.

There's a world of difference between loose, fully tight, and over-tight. It's something you get a feel for over time...

tynan.. where art thou torque wrench?