[Cerddwyr]

So, I've only been riding fixed for like a week and a half now. I bought my bike new from the shop. Almost immediately, I noticed what I considered to be a kind of weird rattle/grindy noise when I pedaled. The noise happens on the downstroke, or when I exert force on the pedals. If I just go gummy and pseudo-coast, I don't get the noise. It's definitely coming from the back from the cog/hub area.

I took the bike back to the shop I bought it from and was told that nothing was wrong with it. Then I took it to another shop/mechanic who tightened everything up (including a very loose lockring... gives me a lot of faith in the other shop!) but it still makes this noise.

Anyone have any clues as to what this could mean? I guess it could be totally normal to a fixed gear bike, and i just wouldn't know because I'm knew to it. I guess the only way to know for sure is to test ride another bike that's the same as mine and see if it makes the same noise, but as it's snowing violently right now, I don't know when I'll be able to hook that up.

Thoughts and suggestions appreciated.

Thanks.

I was having the same issue, and even posted here about my concerns regarding chain line. I had recently changed cranks and BB, as well as going fixed from SS, and was worried I had some alignment problems. Then, the other day I cleaned and lubed, and noticed the sound went away. I had cleaned and lubed not long before the switch, and had not thought about it much after. My take on this now is that the simplicity and direct connection one has to the drivetrain on a fixie means that you notice said drivetrain much more. So, while I would clean and lube every few weeks before, I am doing it weekly now. It is much simpler, and both sound and smoothness greatly benifit.
So, try something as simple as a good lube of the chain and see if that solves the problem.

Best,
Gordon