Guys, I am going to start using my Bianchi pista for commuting and want to know how to get the wheels out to fix a flat and back in with the correct tension in the chain on the rear. Am I right in assuming that the inner nut on both sides hand tight and then the outer gets spanner tightened? For the rear do I push the wheel back until there is tension in the chain? How do I ensure the rear wheel is in straight, by eye?
So, do you mean my theory is correct?
I commute on a fixed gear Soma Rush. The trick I was shown for getting chain tension is to put the wheel in at an angle (with the front of the wheel away from the drive train side) and tighten the further back non-drive train side only. Then rock the wheel back to straight and tighten the drivetrain side.
This can be repeated a couple times rocking the wheel back and forth until the chain is tight.
There’s no need to adjust the inner nuts. Ensuring the wheel is straight is by eye. You can spin it and look for a wobble.
go to sheldonbrown.com lots of fixedgear info .
I think you got it.
Just check and see if is a tight spot when you spin the crank.
Adjust the chain to the tight spot.
Keep you fingers away fixeys bite hard !!!
Thom
Cheers, Brent. That sounds clear enough.
Good tip, Thom. I will check over at SB’s. Ta.
My fixed is my fav ride. I am builbing a new for the spring (Fort frame)Tubbies nice stuff no fenders.
Have a great time and enjoy the ride.
Thom
Post: Keep you fingers away fixeys bite hard !!!
You’re right. The bike shop I go to for my fixie has some gruesome pictures of people lubing chains and having a finger go around a sprocket. The front does a lot of damage but the rear tears the finger off. You need to take the same care you would oiling a motorcycle chain.
If by inner nuts you mean the ones that make contact with the inside of the drops, you should not be using them to tighten the wheel in the frame. They are used to obtain proper axle spacing and bearing tension. If you mess them up you will ruin your hub.
The outer nuts - axle nuts - should be tightened with a wrench pretty firmly. Line the wheel up with your eye and if you have to, you can use your finger to check for center.
to check for center.
Can you explain this phrase please?
Julian: since your in England, try here for all fixed information
Cool, thanks, Chris.
I got a nice wrench from Surly specifically for the pista. It has a box wrench one end, and a beer bottle opener the other!
One tip I was given was that you tighten the drive side last as this will pull the axle outwards and tension it. If you do the other way round, the axle ‘walks’ back in towards the bike. (I hope I got that the right way round, I have very limited ‘mechanical sympathy’)
James
" It has a box wrench one end, and a beer bottle opener the other! "
Hay arn’t beer bottles twist off ??
I use quick release .
I don’t need no stinking wrench 
If it had a cork screw it would be cool !!!
Dirt
Only that American crap. Most of the good beers I drink require an opener…
I also have a Campagnolo cork screw (Cavatapi) which I use every day 