OK, so I have converted my P2K to a singlespeed. I think I need a little more tension on the chain, as it drops off of the rear cog when pedaling hard. However, I now realize I have no clue how to get the chain off or the rear wheel removed! The P2K has rear-facing, horizontal drop outs, and the set screws keep me from bringing the rear wheel in far enough to get enough slack on the chain to drop it off either the rear cog or the front crank. Help!!
Spot
Typically with horizontal dropouts you should have enough slack in the chain when you loosen the bolts and slide the wheel forward to get the chain over the cog or crank. If you don’t, you did it wrong and are learning the hard way. Have to remove the chain with a chain tool or “quick link” think if your chain is so equipped. Add a few links when you replace it!
I was afraid of that! Oh well, live and learn. I was hoping there was a trick to lifting the chain off the crank or something…
Spot
Yeah, Steve got it. With fixies the rear wheel isn’t jammed all the way forward in the horiz dropout. After you break the chain and remove the wheel, you might want to remove the set screws. The axle of the wheel floats somewhere in the middle of the dropout and is aligned and the chain tensioned by hand. To remove the wheel you unscrew the axle nuts, slide the wheel forward, and remove. The thing is that in order to keep the wheel from sliding forward or getting out alignment when you apply pedal force, you really need to tighten the axle nuts pretty hard. This is why you typically see track bikes or fixies with hardened steel dropouts as they can stand up to the pressure needed to prevent slipping.
I’m sure you’ve tried everything…sometimes turning hte crank a bit will help if its really close, but otherwise you are indeed screwed. Take it as an opportunity to clean the chain 
You can always remove the crank if you don’t want to break the chain.
I found that i couldn’t keep the axle nuts from slipping, so i put some chain tensioners on the bike. I guess they’re usually used on BMX bikes, but they work well on the fixie–i haven’t had a problem with slippage yet.
Jeff
Good point on the tensioners. I never think of them b/c I don’t use one on my fixie.
Surly Tuggnut- an awesome chain tensioner. Just need one, for the drive side. Plus you can open post-ride brewskies with it!
I was afraid of that! Oh well, live and learn. I was hoping there was a trick to lifting the chain off the crank or something…
Spot
There is, but you might have too much tension for it.
Where the chain comes to contact the teeth on the bottom of the front ring
Push on it from one side as you turn the cranks slowly backwards
You can usually slip the chain off to one side of the leading tooth
Might want to use something other than your finger to push on the chain, it can HURT if you slip and jam your finger tip in there.
Otherwise, ditto on the chain tensoner recommendations and floating the rear wheel in the drop outs with enough room to slide it a bit forward next time.
Thanks, I’ll give that a shot. Its always a pain breaking the chain…
Spot
The P2K has rear-facing, horizontal drop outs, and the set screws keep me from bringing the rear wheel in far enough to get enough slack on the chain to drop it off either the rear cog or the front crank. Help!!
that is funny
Dirt
i don’t use a tugnut on a road bike
my woman opens my beers
Freakin’ hilarious.
I really should have seen it coming. 
Spot
you have a very nice bike to bad it is a single speed
it could use a new chain thats like $9.
live and learn
Dirtball