Taking links out a chain

[Joe24]

Hello.
I want to take an inner and an outer from the chain on my fixed. But, the question is, will i have enough room. At the moment, the axel is right at the back of the drop out, so there is quiet abit of room for it to move forward. My question is, if i measure the length of two links, will this be how much the back wheel will move forward? It is track drop-outs aswell, so i cant have it too loose or the wheel will be a bugger to get off.
What i want to do, is be able to turn my back wheel around when i do TTs and have my bigger gear there.
At the moment, i have an 18tooth at the back, and i have a 16tooth that i got given waiting to go on.
Is 2 tooth drop too much?

 

[Gerry Attrick]

The wheel will move forward the equivalent of half the number of links you remove.

 

[Joe24]

The wheel will move forward the equivalent of half the number of links you remove.

Ahhh, makes sence. So if i take an inner and an outer out, it will move forward the space of one link?

 

[kyuss]

Yep, half an inch. With regards to the sprocket a difference of 1 tooth will move the axle approx 1/8th inch, so the 2 tooth difference you have will move it back only 1/4 inch. Sounds like you've got plenty room.

 

[Joe24]

Yep, half an inch. With regards to the sprocket a difference of 1 tooth will move the axle approx 1/8th inch, so the 2 tooth difference you have will move it back only 1/4 inch. Sounds like you've got plenty room.

Kool
So if i take out 2 links, i will have room for my 16tooth? Sounds good to me
Just need to find the lockring for that side now

 

[Oddjob62]

You can always get a halflink if you need to fine tune it.

 

[Joe24]

I could use a half link, but i think i have enough room to take full links out. Just wanted to make sure
It will probably move it down and it be not enough though mind

 

[andrew_s]

It is track drop-outs aswell, so i cant have it too loose or the wheel will be a bugger to get off.

The limiting factor with track ends is having the axle too close to the front end of the slot. You need to be able to create enough slack to derail the chain off the inside of the chainring. Once that's done, the wheel's easy to get out. It does mean oily fingers though.

 

[Joe24]

I did it today
The axle isnt too close to the front of the drop out that its hard to get the chain off. And the 16t sprocket doesnt sit too far back either, so i will be able to put on a 15t if i need to
Thanks for the advice all.