I am trying to build a fixed wheel to use for tracklocross. I’m going to put it in my Surly Cross-check with 132.5mm wide axle spacing, so I chose the Surly Ultra New Fixed/Free hub in 135mm spacing. I also bought a Surly 17t track cog, and a Surly track lockring.
This is my first fixed wheel so I have no idea what I am doing. The 17t cog threads onto the hub just fine, but the lockring doesn’t seem to fit. It threads on for about a quarter of a turn (in the opposite direction of the cog) before binding up. It seems like the lockring is either a fraction of a millimeter too small in diameter, or the thread pitch is different from the hub? What am I missing? Are there different size track lockrings?
Here are the exact components I ordered:
Hub: Ultra New Hubs – Surly Bikes
Cog: Track Cogs – Surly Bikes
Lockring: Track Cog Lockring – Surly Bikes
Thanks! I was looking for documentation on Surly’s site but didn’t find this. It seems like I’m doing everything right per their instructions, but the lockring has more resistance than I’m comfortable with. I went ahead and sent an e-mail to Surly to see what they say about the situation.
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You’ll almost certainly be fine without the lockring anyway. I’ve been riding fixed gear road, track and ‘cross for a long time, never with a lockring.
I’ve never had an issue with the sprocket becoming unscrewed in use, once you’ve ridden up your first hill – your rear tyre will lose traction long before you can put enough torque into that sprocket to unscrew it. However, in the unlikely event of a chain breakage, the possibility of the sprocket unscrewing itself might be the difference between coming to a controlled stop and flipping over the bars with a locked up rear wheel. Speak to Surly anyway though – the lockring should still fit, even if you don’t use it.
Thanks James, you’re giving me confidence to go ahead and build up the wheel. I was imagining building it up, then stripping the threads on the hub. But if the lockring isn’t strictly necessary I’m less worried.
I should add a caveat: if you’re planning on riding brakeless, maybe put the lockring on. And maybe put some brakes on while you’re at it 
Also, some anti-sieze compound on the theads before you fit the sprocket might be a good idea
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I’d offer a PSA: if you’re only going to ride on a track, no brakes is ok (and probably required). If you’re going to ride pretty much anywhere else, at least install a front brake. Riding without a brake is dangerous, for you and for others.
For context, I’ve spent ~20 years commuting on fixed gears. Fixie purists can flame me all they want.
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I would be terrified to ride brakeless. I’m going to start with front brake only and see how that goes.
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Update: I went to the LBS and we tried threading on a random lockring from their parts bin. It went on just fine. I also contacted Surly support. They are going to send me a replacement lockring.
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