Fixed Gear - Replacing Cogs and lockrings

Hi All,

I have to admit that I am fairly novice in bike mechanics but have been tinkering with my bikes over the years. My main question is that I always find replacing the rear cog REALLY DIFFICULT to remove with the chain whip (in terms of it being really really tight). My chain whip is the park tool one so pretty good quality. I find removing the lockring easier in comparison.

I do know that the rear cog tightens as I pedal but I just find to so tight that I have to take to a bike shop to take it off for me (which they did super quickly!) Is it just that I am not strong enough or is there a special technique that I am missing?

I would be extremely grateful if any mechanics out there can give me some advice ^_^

THANKS for all the experts on the forum!

htfu

not a good mechanic by any means, but as a noodle armer who has resorted to the bike shop myself, i noticed their technique was the main difference

i was having the wheel between my legs and the whip at an ergonomic angle, but not the best for applying force

watching them i realised for a particularly tough cog, if you place the wheel against a wall (tyre on at this point), and then place the whip so that you can stand above the wheel and press down, with the rotational forces pushing the wheel into the wall, you'll get the most muscle out of it.

with the correct whip position, stance and the wheel not going anywhere, you'll be able to press harder by a large margin

and then the obligatory, before you put a new cog on, clean the threads and grease it, and do it up yourself, this way you know you'll be able to get it off

Where's the thread that I posted the images of my undefeated technique and someone made it into a gif?

2008 thread flashbacks!

Do you grease the threads before installing?

Have you tried the rotafix method?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qIVEpyelP0

Next step, the gym. BEEFCAKE!

Wearing a track mitt helps prevent fucking up your hand btw.

https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/355683/#comment15603339

Thanks Maj, hippy and M_Vatwork for the advice! Very useful links and will give it a go!

PS> I have just got myself a set of new Kettlebells! lol ....

I haven't lifted weights (other than my own fat arse) for the last 2 years. I miss the gym. :(