How can I remove my fixie sprocket?

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swee'pea99

Legendary Member
So much for 'suicide sprockets'...no lockring nor nothin' & it's been on there barely 9 months, but can I shift it? Can I %$%^*^&^! If I can't get it to unscrew even by backpedlalling as hard as I can, it's really unshiftable isn't it? Unless you have any good ideas?
 

alecstilleyedye

nothing in moderation
Moderator
are you using a chain whip made for cassettes? if so forget it; you need a real brute of a chain whip with 1/8" chain and a long tough handle.

my old fixie came with a hand made one from the 50s; it's a brute but boy it does the job…
 

PpPete

Legendary Member
Location
Chandler's Ford
1) Penetrating fluid, lay it flat, and let it soak in. Then leg braking on as much of hill as you can. Don't push it on the way home or you'll tighten it up again. Worked for me. Make sure you have another brake though....

2) Google Rotafix. IIRC there is a "wrap" that will undo a stuck sprocket as well as wind one on.

3) Monster extension bar on your chain whip?
 
Location
Edinburgh
Run some old 1/8" chain through a vice secured to something solid. The chain should be attached to something at one end to stop it sliding through the vice. It needs to be laid so it flexes in the horizontal. Have enough chain coming out to go round your sprocket. Wrap the end round your sprocket and use the rim to turn the wheel.
 
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swee'pea99

swee'pea99

Legendary Member
Thanks guys - some excellent suggestions! I do want to save the sprocket, but I think I still might try the vice first - just with some wooden inserts to prevent damage. Sounds the easiest soltuion. Ansd I have a vice! (Or a workmate anyway, which amounts to the same thing.) If that doesn't work I have some good plan Bs hereabouts. Thanks again.
 

longers

Legendary Member
I tried wooden jaws in a vice but ended up taking them out and using it naked.
Managed to save the sprocket though. Used the holes for the mounting bolts to avoid having to squeeze too much.
I'm pessimistic about a work mate being up to it but hope you prove me wrong.
 

rustychisel

Well-Known Member
use the 'bus driver', forget chainwhips or anything else. Rotafixing has a great chance of scratching your frame - or worse.

Wood blocks in a vise will usually allow the teeth of the cog to chew into the wood and split them most effectively.

Method - remove wheel, wrap cog in about 3 layers of old cloth to protect the sprocket (an old T-shirt is good). Lay wheel face down in vise, clamp cloth and sprocket tightly. Then tighten it again.
Clasp wheel (tyre, actually) firmly with both hands, on either side of the wheel to give maximum leverage, then turn the wheel anti clockwise (think bus driver) until you feel the threads 'give'. Voila. Unwrap cloth.

Always grease the threads of your hub/sprocket
 

RedBike

New Member
Location
Beside the road
I just spray the sprocket with GT85 then tap it LIGHTLY all round with a hammer or the handle from the chain whip.

I haven't got a clue why tapping the spocket loosens it but it really does seem to work. (The tapping technique also works a treat with stuck jam jar lids, although thankfully you don't need to use GT85 on them.)
 
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swee'pea99

swee'pea99

Legendary Member
Tried the vice - no dice. Just kept slipping, and I was too chickenshit to tighten it any further. Tried 3-in-1 + 1 hour + the tap tap tap + chain whip and.....ta-da! Thanks all.
 

mattsccm

Well-Known Member
Firstly I may have forgotten something here.
Have you taken the lock ring off? It won't mover if its still there.
Anyway
If you get desperate pull the chain set off. re install it on the opposite sides. Put your wheels in to match. You are now pulling to undo not tighten. With some WED40 etc it will shift after a bit of riding. It works.
 
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