Hello all,
Just got back onto a bmx after 15 years as my son has gotten quite good on his scooter and I was bored of watching.
Found this fitbikeco Aitkens 1 on facebook for £60. However, I have an issue with the rear wheel moving in the drop out.
Rear is set up
Nut – Washer – Frame – Hub – Frame – Washer – Nut
I have tightened the rear nuts as tight as I can but still got movement.
I have already replaced the chain and sprocket as the previous chain was stretched and the sprocket was bent.
by Bigscreenn
8 Comments
Quickest way to make sure it stays put- grab a chain tensioner or a pair. Otherwise, maybe try new hardware? Maybe you could find a large enough lock washers, but that would dig into the dropouts.
Are the grooves of the washers pointing toward the frame?
Did you put your foot on the frame while it’s upside down and really get it torqued?
Chain tensioner. Half link. Breaker bar. Really your only options.
One or two chain tensioners would work, or try sanding/cleaning the dropouts flat. I wonder if they have impressions from the previous owner and are going back into the same spots when tightened down, or once the rear wheel shifts it moves to the old spots.
Are you using a socket and extension on it? Really need to torque up those bolts and the it’ll hold. It’s a lot more force than you think and can’t be done with say and adjustable spanner.
Paint/dirt/grease on the dropout or washer? Really tight chain pulling the wheel driveside? Washer with the grippy side facing the nut?
Make sure the grooved washers are pointing towards the frame.
Get some sand paper and sand the paint rough where the wheel hardware contacts.
Chain tensioners are excellent and definitely work but with sanding they shouldn’t be necessary.
When installing the wheel, put something between the bottom bracket and the wheel , I use a wooden wedge. This means you can really crank down on the hardware without the wheel moving as you tighten it.
When you tighten the wheel do it incrementally. Tighten one side mostly. Then the other. Then put a good amount of force on the first, then the other
This should solve your problems
An easy old school chain tensioner is to use a small ball bearing or a nut that fits perfectly between the closed end of the drop out and the axle.. if something is filling that space the wheel physically cannot move forward under load
Take off the washers, tight the chain side nut first with the tension you want.
After that, pull the wheel hard sideways until it’s straight and tight the other nut.