|
|
Post by franco on Jul 8, 2020 19:40:16 GMT
We briefly discussed in another thread about the modern options available for 5 and 6 Speed Freewheels, like Sunrace, Shimano, Ventura etc. Most are cheaply built aimed at entry level bikes and 28T is usually the lowest they go. Unless you opt for the unsightly Shimano Mega-Range which has a 34T cog. I’ve stumbled across a couple of other options (in the UK) which might be useful for people refurbishing bikes. First up is this one being sold by BankruptBikeParts Link
TEETH SIZES 32, 26, 21, 17, 14 and they do a 6 Speed version as well.
Second up and appears to be better quality is this from SJS Cylcles Link
Teeth sizes 13 / 15 / 18 / 21 / 24 / 32 option available. If anyone knows of any other modern replacements that offer lower gearing please add them. |
|
robt
Viscount
Posts: 558 
|
Post by robt on Jul 8, 2020 20:46:40 GMT
Franco, I bought an IRD freewheel from SJS a few years ago. They currently offer 5-speed Classica and Cyclone and 6-speed Cyclone models, all of which can be selected with a 32T biggest/low gear (& 13T small/top). They do 7-speed versions too, but I doubt that they would fit between the rear dropouts on your Viscount unless the OLD has been stretched from 126mm to 130mm. I don't recall the price I paid being as much as the £50-£60 now being asked, but the 6-speed one that I have on my Victor does have the 'feel' of a high quality product. It changes gear very smoothly, has a satisfyingly quiet buzz when freewheeling and is very shiny when clean. I haven't done many miles on it, so can't vouch for its longevity. If you want a 32T bottom gear and are prepared to stretch to the asking price, I don't think you'd be disappointed by an IRD freewheel. |
|
|
|
Post by franco on Jul 8, 2020 21:34:22 GMT
Thanks Rob, they are pricey but appear to be good quality.
They sell the spline separately but no cogs, so I’m wondering if they are compatible with another brand like Suntour for example. I might email them and ask, it would be great to be able to build a Freewheel to our own spec.
|
|
|
|
Post by franco on Jul 11, 2020 18:37:23 GMT
A brief update as I had already ordered the Freewheel from BBP...
I went out with it fitted today, 32T is obviously a vast improvement on 28T and made life easier on parts of my route.
The quality appears okay but perhaps not as good as the big names, but then, you would pay four times more for a Suntour or Maillard equivalent, when you eventually find one.
Good value if you are on a budget, be interesting to see how long it lasts. One thing worth pointing out, a standard Shimano freewheel remover doesn’t fit, it’s smaller, so I’m guessing it will be the older 1970’s Shimano size, which is a bit of a pain. I’ve emailed them to ask if this is the case, will update when I know more.
|
|
|
|
Post by dracco on Jul 11, 2020 21:25:07 GMT
I'm running an IRD Classica freewheel, which like Rob, I got from SJS. It was not cheap, but I've been very pleased with it. I'm using the 14-32T (14/17/20/24/28/32) 6-speed version, using a Suntour Cyclone GT3700 rear mech, which in combination with a Sugino GT (50/36) chainset is pretty well suited to cycling in the Yorkshire Dales.
|
|
|
|
Post by franco on Jul 12, 2020 13:42:41 GMT
Im definitely going to invest in a IRD at some point.
Did 23 miles on the new freewheel today and whilst it performs well it makes some strange noises.
|
|
|
|
Post by franco on Nov 3, 2020 22:42:30 GMT
Update on an unbranded freewheel I bought from BankruptBikeParts, it seized up today out on a ride. I felt the cogs slipping then it lost its tick, then it seized up.
I got home eventually and couldn’t be bothered to examine the damn thing, it’s in the bin.
It never felt like it had any quality about it but it got me up a few hills during DFR8. Can’t complain I suppose.
|
|
|
|
Post by brianbutler on Nov 4, 2020 13:38:38 GMT
Haha, Franco. I both love it and hate it when things like that happen. Please do an autopsy so we can see what went wrong - engineering, manufacturing, or materials. I find that knowledge like that helps me avoid mistakes in many areas, even outside of bikes.
I had something similar happen with a cheap Chinese 5-speed freewheel. It suddenly started wobbling on the axle and died. Unfortunately it was before I knew how to take apart a freewheel so I don't know what happened.
|
|
|
|
Post by oldroadietehachapi on Nov 4, 2020 15:45:57 GMT
I had a brand-new DT Swiss free-hub stick in the free position. I Bought a new hub and then the old hub started working again. I never installed the replacement free-hub. I suspect a little burr made the ratchet (star ratchet type?) slip or stick. I am not really sure how that can happen; maybe Jon knows. The unit is not serviceable so if fails again I will enjoy dissecting it. Of course, if you buy a replacement part then the old part will work forever, right?
Cheers Jim |
|
|
|
Post by franco on Nov 4, 2020 17:51:34 GMT
I’ll fish it out of the bin Brian and take it apart, it’s not like I’m pushed for time with another lockdown starting tonight.
Even worse, it takes the old small Shimano freewheel remover which wouldn’t fit over the cup bolt (steel Rigida wheels) so I had to take all the axle out and repack the bearings after I got it off.
Put a Sunrace one on I had spare for the time being, but I’ll upgrade that at some point.
|
|
|
|
Post by wheelson on Nov 5, 2020 3:01:52 GMT
I had a brand-new DT Swiss free-hub stick in the free position. I Bought a new hub and then the old hub started working again. I never installed the replacement free-hub. I suspect a little burr made the ratchet (star ratchet type?) slip or stick. I am not really sure how that can happen; maybe Jon knows. The unit is not serviceable so if fails again I will enjoy dissecting it. Of course, if you buy a replacement part then the old part will work forever, right?
Cheers Jim Just had a freehub failure on a similar hub at the shop. Not a direct spoke pull, but the freehub body completely separated to the left of the "12" indicator in the diagram. We could see no way to disassemble and remove the broken piece, probably couldn't find a replacement if we could. To make matters worse, it was on a fat bike, so a really wide through-axle hub, very difficult to source. We did find one (and I do mean one) and I ended up building it into the existing rim. Not an easy task with a wide rim/through axle hub, but mission accomplished. Hope it lasts! Key points here being the difficulty of finding suitable replacement parts these days. Best, John "wheelson"
|
|
