Do fixed wheel sprockets always need a locking ring?

[Cyclopathic]

Er, just that really. Any fixie experts out there want to educate me?

 

[Dusty Bin]

Makes sense to have a lockring - there is always a possibility of the sprocket unscrewing if you put reverse pressure on the pedals (ie 'backpedalling'). There may actually be a law against not having one on the road - not sure. Lock ring is required for all junior and youth track events.

 

[Tim Hall]

My previous fixer was run for, umm, lots of years without a lock ring. Unscrewing the sprocket wasn't an issue, despite a fair amount of leg-braking. The hub on that one was a standard freewheel type screw on jobbie, so the only option for a lockring would have been a same thread one, acting as a jamming nut.

The current fixer, because it's got a "proper" hub with a separate LH thread for the lockring, has one.

 

[fossyant]

Never used one. To get my fixed sprocket off I have to use a garden rake attached to the chain whip its that tight.

 

[Fab Foodie]

My previous fixer was run for, umm, lots of years without a lock ring. Unscrewing the sprocket wasn't an issue, despite a fair amount of leg-braking. The hub on that one was a standard freewheel type screw on jobbie, so the only option for a lockring would have been a same thread one, acting as a jamming nut.
.

Same here.

 

[HLaB]

Coming down a hill on Wednesday I hit a bump and the lock ring and sprocket came of the fixie bases on that I'd guess it was needed and I should have tightened it

 

[Cyclopathic]

The wheel I'm putting it on is just a normal wheel threaded for a normal freewheel block. I have discovered that a lockring for a bottom bracket fits very nicely as at least a jamming nut. Any reason why I shouldn't use this as a bit of extra security? Will it explode?

 

[youngoldbloke]

I may be wrong, but think to be legal you must have a lockring if you have no rear brake on your fixed.

 

[Tim Hall]

The wheel I'm putting it on is just a normal wheel threaded for a normal freewheel block. I have discovered that a lockring for a bottom bracket fits very nicely as at least a jamming nut. Any reason why I shouldn't use this as a bit of extra security? Will it explode?

No reason at all. Go for it. (Thinking back, fixer No.1 did have a BB lockring, but it was inboard of the sprocket, to act as a spacer).

 

[ayceejay]

If you intend doing tricks on your bike then I think you should use a lock ring but for normal riding it is not essential. If you have a lock ring and a lock ring tool then why not fit it just to ease any doubts you may have?

 

[Dusty Bin]

As above ^^

Nothing bad will happen if you fit a lock ring. Lots of things could (potentially) happen if you don't.