Fuji Feather fixed chainline

Hi all,

Been without a bike for a few years so not been here for awhile, but recently go the 2015 Fuji Feather. Lovely bike so far, really enjoying it.

However....

As with previous off-the-peg bikes I've owned (Genesis Flyer, Lemond Fillmore), the chainline on the fixed side is off by a good 3-4mm.

The way I see it, they set it up for the freewheel side and the fixed sprocket is an afterthought.

Is it too much to expect the chainline to be correct on both sides?

See photo - the teeth are far closer to the hub on the fixed side than the freewheel side.

On some bikes I've seen with flip-flops, the fixed sprocket is offset (teeth aren't dead centre). Are these special sprockets designed for flip-flops to provide good chainline on both sides?

Not sure what to do. Ev*ns (Spitalfields) have contacted Fuji, but it the meantime I'm getting impatient!

Any input greatly appreciated. A good mechanic recommendation would be great too - I'm in Clapton/Hackney area. I have no idea which local bike shops are any good around here.

Thanks,

John

1 Attachment

No views?

Anyone?

Sorry, should be in Mechanics and Fixin' section.

On some bikes I've seen with flip-flops, the fixed sprocket is offset (teeth aren't dead centre)

Is your fixed cog completely flat?

I can't see that it's fill the thread if it were...?

Sounds like the shop has put the track cog on the wrong way... lockring side will be flat, hub side will have a bit more. Google image search "track cog" and get your head around the shape.

Hi, it's pretty flat. There doesn't look as if there's enough room for a spacer. I doubt the lock ring could be properly screwed on.

It's a bit of a mystery.

I've taken it to a few bike shops, and have heard:

1. Wrong crankset. It seems to be one half of a road double, not a true track crankset.
   
2. Cheap hub (Condor). They have suggested a rebuild with another hub.
   
   

One shop pointed out it was a dished wheel, which I was surprised about. Aren't single speed/track wheels usually zero dish?

So which is it? If I change the crankset and/or BB to line the fixed side up, the freewheel side will then be off.

Still waiting to hear from Fuji.

You can get different track sprockets like that. they have different sized flanges / offsets, though I've only seen them on very old sprockets. Pics would give us a better idea.

Wheel shouldn't be dished and doesn't look dished from your photo but probably can't tell very well from that one photo. Do you know how to tell if it's dished yourself?

Putting that aside for just now though, are the spacers/locknuts etc on either side of the hub the same? They should be. They will need to be.

Your fixed sprocket should look like this

with the side which is facing up in that photo against the hub, that should put the teeth in much the same position relative to the hub flange (and the shoulder at the bottom of the threading) as the freewheel side.

If your cog is the correct shape and fitted the correct way around and the spacers and locknuts are the same on both sides of the hub then the chainline should be the same whichever way around you have the wheel and you then just have to match the front to that.

That means that at most you'll need to replace some washers/locknuts (so that your hub sits centrally in your frame), your cog (so that the teeth are in the same position as the freewheel teeth)and your bottom bracket (so that the chainring lines up with the freewheel/cog). Even if your cranks are road cranks and your chainring is not currently sitting in the right place you should be able to correct that with some combination of bb axle length and chainring on either the inside or outside of the spider

Thanks M_V for that detailed reply.

I will print that out and take it into Ev*ns, see what they can do.

Point is though - it shouldn't be supplied like that. I'm surprised more Feather owners haven't noticed it/aren't bothered by it!

I have the 2012 and the chainline is nice and silent. Components are changed tough

Went into Crouch End Evans today to pick up bike - not only had they ordered the wrong coloured cog (Dura Ace), I almost rode it home with a loose rear wheel.

Seriously?

The chainline is still off. I don't want to put the chain ring on inside of spider.

This is so damn frustrating. I know it's a cheap bike, and I'll replace most of the components some day anyway, but still. How hard can it be?

Cheapest option - replace bottom bracket. They've told me it's short one already, but I don't really trust them. Will affect freewheel chainline.

Replace crankset - a true track crankset would place the chainring closer to the frame. Not the cheapest. Will affect freewheel chainline.

New flip-flop hub with freewheel and fixed sprockets that give same chainline. Have not clue about this - is there some kind of standard chainline, or at least most common?

Any other input appreciated.

3 - 4mm really isn't going to sap any power, or cause any significant extra wear. Personally, I'd just ride it. Have a read of this ...

http://blog.pedalitis.com/2013/03/05/the-amazing-unimportance-of-chainline-and-chain-lubrication/

I used to have a Fuji track, from way back in 2009... but the chainline was never perfect with the stock components. Was at least 3mm off. It was totally fine though as long as the chain had a little slack. After replacing wheelset and new cranks the chainline was then close to perfect.

I wouldn't listen to anything Evans has to say - you have to be lucky to get someone that actually knows what they are talking about. It's probably worth getting the bike looked at by someone like Fitzrovia cycles, or Push cycles or Look Mum No Hands etc.

RE the dished wheel - it could be. Call me weird, but I was behind someone riding a fuji feather (new) and I noticed that the wheel looked mildly dished toward the freewheel side. Maybe thats how they come for whatever reason?

Ok!

Chainline is finally bang on.

LBS moved the chain ring to the other side of the spider. It doesn't look as bad aesthetically as I imagined.

They think Fuji's have designed it that way when riding on the fixed side, for whatever reason. Still think it's kludgy.

It'll do for now.

Thanks for all your input!