BMX - little brother's Rhyno's crank gets caught turning on downhill.

I've grown apart from the BMX/freestyle era. Now I'm into mountain biking and such, but my little brother who's got a Rhyno freestyle bike asked me this afternoon why his chain was messed up. At first glance, it looked 110% fine. I took it for a ride and I figured out what the problem was.

When you are going downhill pretty fast and stop pedaling, every so often you feel something "grab" as if it's trying to turn the pedals. It's not hard like it'll grab and turn the pedals no matter what, but it's enough you can feel it's not right.

I took the wheel off and spun the gear and it spun just fine. It didn't hesitate or anything, just kept spinning. But once back on the bike, it was doing the same stuff. My other brother has the exact same bike (they're matching Rhyno's) and his doesn't do this, yet their chain tension seems to be the same.

What can I do to fix this?

Its probably the freewheel.

The main problem is that it's a Walmart bike, and has a factory guarantee to self-destruct.

The freewheel internals are probably slightly out of round (because freewheels are cheap and disposable), and the drag only shows up when it's under tension, which is why the thing spins fine when you take it off the bike. Probably nothing to worry about.

The main problem is that it's a Walmart bike, and has a factory guarantee to self-destruct.

I understand it is a wal mart bike, however... instead of shooting your mouth off with your thoughts on the bike self destructing perhaps we could make some progress over figuring out this problem. He is 10 years old, I highly doubt he needs a 400 dollar freestyle bike.

Now, back to the subject... What exactly is the freewheel?

The freewheel internals are probably slightly out of round (because freewheels are cheap and disposable), and the drag only shows up when it's under tension, which is why the thing spins fine when you take it off the bike. Probably nothing to worry about.

Under tension? But if this were the case, wouldn't it only make sense that it would do this drag while pedaling? Because it doesn't do it while pedaling, it only does it when you are freely coasting and you stop pedaling. You folks know when you stop pedaling you hear that high speed clicking... at that point is when it starts... but from what I've seen, it only does it as slower speeds. I coasted to about 10 mph before it started up.

The freewheel is the rear "sprocket"; it's the gear that spins freely on the back hub. I've bent several of them, and what you're describing is pretty much what always alerted me to the problem. So, basically, you could just get a new freewheel.

And you could get a bike for about $150 or $200 at any bike shop that's vastly superior to a Walmart bike, and probably even has the handlebars facing the correct direction and with brakes that work semi-decently.

Oil it up, if that down work, give it a love tap. BTW, Beerman hates anything cheap like Walmart bikes and foams at the mouth at the mention of cheap crap.

Like the kid who wants an expensive bike so he can impress his neighbors should even be talking about that subject.

The fact that I could walk into a Walmart and point out at least a dozen design flaws on any of the bikes for sale there, without even going into the materials used or improperly installed parts, is enough to explain why I don't like them.

Oil it up, if that down work, give it a love tap. BTW, Beerman hates anything cheap like Walmart bikes and foams at the mouth at the mention of cheap crap.

Yeah, I kind of figured that. There's these kind of people on every type of forum. I mean, you go onto a car audio forum and read about someone who just wants to add a LITTLE bass to their setup, but then all of these brand-*****s jump on their case saying NO YOU NEED THIS SUBWOOFER CUZ IT RULES (yet that woofer costs 800 dollars). Makes sense, doesn't it? My brothers put about 10 miles on their bikes a week. I highly doubt they need anything more than a damn wally mart bike anyway. And to be completely honest, the bikes they have look VERY comparable to the freestyle bike I used to have, which was bought in a bike shop. I have no clue where their bikes came from, whether it was wal mart or toys r us I'm not sure.

Back to the topic: His chain is already oiled up pretty nicely, anymore added would just cause a huge amount of excess oil to fling around. How much does a freewheel cost?

Like the kid who wants an expensive bike so he can impress his neighbors should even be talking about that subject.

The fact that I could walk into a Walmart and point out at least a dozen design flaws on any of the bikes for sale there, without even going into the materials used or improperly installed parts, is enough to explain why I don't like them.

Dear "Beerman,"

There is something you don't understand. You are obviously a more skilled and devoted biker than some other folks. There ARE people... I repeat, THERE ARE PEOPLE out there who don't need these higher end bikes as much of the forum users ride. Bottom line is, my brothers are quite young yet, they can't even pull a wheelie. These bikes are just for them to putt around the neighborhood on with some spiffy looking pegs, simple as that. Now, if they were going over 10 foot jumps and trying to act like some of the BMX guys on ESPN2, then I'd say hell no get a different bike.

There are different bikes for different people. Despite the fact 99% of wal mart bikes are trash for trails and actual jumping, there are people who just get them to putt around, simple as that.

With that being said, it would be nice in the future if you understand someone's situation and reasoning behind why they bought the bike they did before you shoot your mouth off.

Thank you,

Roasted.

About $20, with installation, at most bike shops.

And it's not the fact that I'm an "anti-cheap products bastard", it's the fact that those bikes are about as safe as a 2000 Ford Explorer with Firestone ATX tires.

About $20, with installation, at most bike shops.

And it's not the fact that I'm an "anti-cheap products bastard", it's the fact that those bikes are about as safe as a 2000 Ford Explorer with Firestone ATX tires.

Ford Exploders you mean? :D :p

I really don't know what to tell you, I agree to a certain extent, but the frame is solid, the wheels are tight, and nothing is coming off of the bike, so going 20 mph down the street won't hurt... I know that much.

Yeah, I kind of figured that. There's these kind of people on every type of forum. I mean, you go onto a car audio forum and read about someone who just wants to add a LITTLE bass to their setup, but then all of these brand-*****s jump on their case saying NO YOU NEED THIS SUBWOOFER CUZ IT RULES (yet that woofer costs 800 dollars). Makes sense, doesn't it? My brothers put about 10 miles on their bikes a week. I highly doubt they need anything more than a damn wally mart bike anyway. And to be completely honest, the bikes they have look VERY comparable to the freestyle bike I used to have, which was bought in a bike shop. I have no clue where their bikes came from, whether it was wal mart or toys r us I'm not sure.

Back to the topic: His chain is already oiled up pretty nicely, anymore added would just cause a huge amount of excess oil to fling around. How much does a freewheel cost?

$10-20 for a freewheel.

His problem with Wal-Mart bikes is the same problem everyone's got with 'em. They're cheap, obscenely heavy, prone to breaking and they'll never roll smooth or work right unless you're one of the lucky few and you don't actually go ride 'em...ever. There's a good reason many bike shops *refuse* to do any work on Wal-Mart bikes. Every time I've done work on one at the shop myself it's been a diasaster and required twice as long and probably wound up costing the customer more than the difference between that and a real bike.

That's true. Just wait until they start jumping off curbs, though. Trust me, I know from experience; back in the day, me and the neighbors had a pile of assorted crappy bike parts three feet high in the backyard collected from the Toys-R-Us bikes of other kids in the neighborhood. I figure that we broke one of those pieced together bikes every other week, jumping off curbs and hopping up stairs.

I agree with you there but that kid probably isn't doing tail whips, and hitting jumps. And my expensive bike serves its purpose, I jump the thing, grind, do tail whips, and other bmx tricks I may not be that good but i god damn try.

Until the kid starts beating it up, the bike starts breaking and the replacement costs of all the parts exceed what you would have paid in the first place for the right bike (which honestly isn't that much). I too know the sad downward spiral of piles and piles of broken stems, bent axles, tacoed wheels, tweaked forks and cracked frames littering the toolshed.

Thats what the woods next to my house looks like.

i agree with almost everyone in that, yes the bikes are unsafe, yes there fine for what those kids are doing and, yes the people that put the "wall-mart" bikes dont know what they are doing and hopped a fence to get here and now try to build bikes for a living...as far as freewheels, how in the hell did these kids break or blow out their freewheels...ive only blow out 4 or 5 and im over 100 pounds...

QED, my son. Once again I am amazed by your ability to to inadvertently prove the point you argued against.

*bows*

QED.....who the hell is that...i almost get what your saying...

try not to be funny...its not working for you...

Quod erat demonstrandum, go look it up. And try not to pretend to understand my subtle and complex sense of humor.

Instead of trying to argue that my brothers will outgrow the ability of their wal mart bikes tomorrow, which I hate to burst your bubble but I highly doubt they'll be jumping sh*t by next week, and talk about the freewheel like this thread is about.

How can you tell by the naked eye that the freewheel is goofed up? It looks absolutely fine to me, no bends or breaks anywhere. I was wondering if maybe the inside of the sprocket wasn't lubricated right, or something?

Instead of trying to argue that my brothers will outgrow the ability of their wal mart bikes tomorrow, which I hate to burst your bubble but I highly doubt they'll be jumping sh*t by next week, and talk about the freewheel like this thread is about.

How can you tell by the naked eye that the freewheel is goofed up? It looks absolutely fine to me, no bends or breaks anywhere. I was wondering if maybe the inside of the sprocket wasn't lubricated right, or something?

You can't. If it's that big a deal, bite the bullet and buy a $12 freewheel and a $5 removal tool.

You can't. If it's that big a deal, bite the bullet and buy a $12 freewheel and a $5 removal tool.

All of the sites I have saved are mountain bike related.

Can you suggest any sites to get these items at?

Thanks in advance.

www.danscomp.com

I wouldn't bother doing it online; any bike shop will carry that stuff.

Ok, Roasted is missing the point of Beerman's comment, even though he's just validated it. If your little bro had even a $150 bike from a bike shop, he wouldn't have blown out his crappy freewheel. He's 10, and only rides it around the neighborhood maybe 10 miles a week, and it has problems already.

Ok, Roasted is missing the point of Beerman's comment, even though he's just validated it. If your little bro had even a $150 bike from a bike shop, he wouldn't have blown out his crappy freewheel. He's 10, and only rides it around the neighborhood maybe 10 miles a week, and it has problems already.

Understood.

But you are missing the point. Beerman was speaking as though the wheel will literally fall off of the bike as he rides it. I was replying that due to his light level of riding I highly doubt he'll have any trouble unless he tried to act like Mat Hoffman, which I don't think will be for QUITE a few years yet.

I would hardly call a 12 dollar fix on a bike in direct relation with it simply being a wal mart bike, considering other folks have already said "oooo I busted 4 of those already."

I'm not trying to defend wal mart bikes because if he started doing tricks I'd be the first one to say hell no, we're going to the LBS... I'm just trying to defend the reasons of why folks who do very light riding have a higher tendency to buy them due to their cheap price. I mean, take this into consideration. My girlfriend has a bike from target. If you saw her riding on the road would you think, wow... a Magna? What the hell is wrong with that girl? The reason she got the Magna from target was SIMPLY because she didn't want to use an exercise bike and stare at a wall for physical therapy with her hip. (long story, cross country in high school messed up a tendon). She got it so she can at least see a few trees or a sunset on her daily .5 mile ride. I mean, she is uncomfortable with standing up and pedaling at the same time on the bike. How does that justify needing the cheapest bike my LBS offers, which is considerably more? I just never understood why people on this f**king forum get so yippy over wal mart bikes. Granted, morons put them together, I understand that. They use cheap parts, understood as well, but for some folks they really don't need anything more than a cheap bike. When I say this I don't mean I'd trust my brother walking into wal mart and buying a bike. I'd double check EVERYTHING and if necessary rebuild it and relubricate everything, because... after all, it's wal mart. :P I mean, it's like people buying a Honda. It's a cheap car. But it's all they need... Think about it.

Thanks.

Dear "Beerman," (followed by speech)

yeah, well we all have stuff we hate and stuff that makes us
foam at the mouth
but anyway, i'm not about to start another fight.

just take the rear wheel to a bike shop, ansk them to check the freewheel out. sounds like it may be a little bunged up with dirt.

I would hardly call a 12 dollar fix on a bike in direct relation with it simply being a wal mart bike, considering other folks have already said "oooo I busted 4 of those already."

Yes, I have bent and broken several of them over 11 years of riding, and with me grinding on them.

Understood.

But you are missing the point. Beerman was speaking as though the wheel will literally fall off of the bike as he rides it. I was replying that due to his light level of riding I highly doubt he'll have any trouble unless he tried to act like Mat Hoffman, which I don't think will be for QUITE a few years yet.

I would hardly call a 12 dollar fix on a bike in direct relation with it simply being a wal mart bike, considering other folks have already said "oooo I busted 4 of those already."

I'm not trying to defend wal mart bikes because if he started doing tricks I'd be the first one to say hell no, we're going to the LBS... I'm just trying to defend the reasons of why folks who do very light riding have a higher tendency to buy them due to their cheap price. I mean, take this into consideration. My girlfriend has a bike from target. If you saw her riding on the road would you think, wow... a Magna? What the hell is wrong with that girl? The reason she got the Magna from target was SIMPLY because she didn't want to use an exercise bike and stare at a wall for physical therapy with her hip. (long story, cross country in high school messed up a tendon). She got it so she can at least see a few trees or a sunset on her daily .5 mile ride. I mean, she is uncomfortable with standing up and pedaling at the same time on the bike. How does that justify needing the cheapest bike my LBS offers, which is considerably more? I just never understood why people on this f**king forum get so yippy over wal mart bikes. Granted, morons put them together, I understand that. They use cheap parts, understood as well, but for some folks they really don't need anything more than a cheap bike. When I say this I don't mean I'd trust my brother walking into wal mart and buying a bike. I'd double check EVERYTHING and if necessary rebuild it and relubricate everything, because... after all, it's wal mart. :P I mean, it's like people buying a Honda. It's a cheap car. But it's all they need... Think about it.

Thanks.

People on this forum are enthusiasts, some of us are professionals in the industry. I cringe every time I have to work on a Wal-Mart bike because it takes twice as long, costs twice as much and works half as good. When I say bite the bullet and get a bike that lasts it's because I've already seen enough Wal-Mart bikes fall apart and repairs/replacements cancel out the 'value' these people thought they were getting.

I'm really sick of hearing these words: "Well, I don't ride that much, so I can get away with buying the cheapest bike I can find." These people go off on the same self-righteous tirade in *my* shop over the price of a decent, entry-level bike and then next week I see the Wal-Mart monstrosity in the back waiting for repairs. It doesn't have anything to do with how much you ride. It has to do with whether you want riding to be a chore and a constant headache or whether you want it to be an enjoyable, trouble-free pastime.

But you are missing the point. Beerman was speaking as though the wheel will literally fall off of the bike as he rides it. I was replying that due to his light level of riding I highly doubt he'll have any trouble unless he tried to act like Mat Hoffman, which I don't think will be for QUITE a few years yet.


His front wheel isn't going to fall off - that was the MTB bikes from Walmart that did that. Seriously. But I'm willing to bet that if you check the hubs, you won't find much grease, and the cones will not be adjusted properly. Don't take all this as a hostile attack on you. For every person on here defending an inexpensive purchase, there seems to be two asking how to fix theirs. It's not about you, it's about the bike. I just hope you're able to get it fixed for him.

Off topic a bit, I know what it's like to be on a budget. In the late 1970's, my parents were getting me a new bike for my birthday. I had a choice between a shiny new red one (about $100) and a grubby, slightly used Mongoose (price long since forgotten). They had the good sense to see things my way, and got me the Mongoose, which was the better bike. I've still got at least one photo of me on that bike, catching big air, circa 1980. There's no way the other one would have held up, but I suppose not every kid is happy with a used bike.

Is that the picture of that kid jumpign with the motomags you posted?

Is that the picture of that kid jumpign with the motomags you posted?

Yes, that "Kid" is me. My mum wasn't too happy seeing that on page 2 of the newspaper.

I despise Wal-Mart bikes. Not because they are inexpensive, but because they are poorly manufactured and you (nor I) has any clue as to how solidly they are built or how durable they will be for any type of riding.

All kids (especially 10 year olds) like jumping curbs or setting up some boards in the street to jump over. Let alone the footpath through the woods with some small jumps off to the side.

Those are the things that will drop a 10 year old to the ground and break his arm due to poor design and build quality from those types of bikes. No matter what someone things, 10 year olds don't ride their bikes 'up and down' the street. They ride them off curbs, they go as big as they can. Jump down or ride down stairs, try to bunnyhop, etc. It is what I and all my friends did at that age, it was called 'fun'.

Now, is it worth a $400.00 bike? Of course not. Would the freewheel not break on a $200.00ish bike? Probably could still break. But, when you buy from a bike shop, you usually get a service warranty and product guarantee. You wouldn't be trying to figure this out, but would be taking the bike to the shop and THEY would deal with the issue. Saves you the headache of trying to figure it out yourself and costs you nothing.

An adult example would be: Would you buy a Yugo? It is half the price (or less) of a Corolla, and all you do is commute to work right?

Except, when you have an accident, or look at product reliability, or any number of other issues that may arrise, the doubling of cost ends up saving thousands and thousands of dollars and perhaps someones life. You don't drive a Yugo, so why do parents put kids on bikes that may as well have been built by Yugo? Bikes are often a kids primary means of transportation.

Finally, 2 quick examples:
1. My step-newphew riding his Wal-Mart bike. About a month after he received it, the front axle broke when he hit a speed bump, he went face first over the bars into the ground breaking his collar bone and his nose.
2. Very good rider at skatepark had been riding his Wal-Mart bike there for a few months with no problem. Then, without warning, the fork folded on a perfectly NORMAL landing. No bending, no cracking, it just snapped - sending him to the ground and breaking an arm and a leg.

$100.00 increase in price does not make the bike 'expensive' - it makes it something far better than junk.

that was definatly the most meaningful post ive seen on this thread...and i wish that you could tell my parents this when it comes time for expensive parts..

I agree with that alot. Too bad when I went to get my first BMX It was me who decided the Mongoode Hoop-D and not the $300 GT like my dad told me to get.

That's true. Just wait until they start jumping off curbs, though. Trust me, I know from experience; back in the day, me and the neighbors had a pile of assorted crappy bike parts three feet high in the backyard collected from the Toys-R-Us bikes of other kids in the neighborhood. I figure that we broke one of those pieced together bikes every other week, jumping off curbs and hopping up stairs.

walmart must've seriously changed. back when i rode bmx, i tore through several high-end frames and forks, but i inherited a huffy (purchased at wal-mart) from my older brother and never managed to do any damage more serious than nicking to the decals. sure, the thing weighed six tons, but it definitely wasn't unsafe. unless it crushed you, or something.

walmart must've seriously changed. back when i rode bmx, i tore through several high-end frames and forks, but i inherited a huffy (purchased at wal-mart) from my older brother and never managed to do any damage more serious than nicking to the decals. sure, the thing weighed six tons, but it definitely wasn't unsafe. unless it crushed you, or something.

They were by far the heaviest bikes made. Anyone remember the one with dual coil springs out back, and the big square motorcycle style seat? Yeah, if that fell over on you, it would crush you for sure.

About $20, with installation, at most bike shops.

And it's not the fact that I'm an "anti-cheap products bastard", it's the fact that those bikes are about as safe as a 2000 Ford Explorer with Firestone ATX tires.

C'mon...Driver Error.

u need to oil the free will even wd 40 might help i had thye same problem and i just took it apart and put some motor oil on it , i think this is caused by sand getting into your free wheel and this has nothign to do with wal mart bikes becayse when i had this problem it was with my 400 dollar four pack and i had this problem with a dk sinsinatti once too

u need to oil the free will even wd 40 might help i had thye same problem and i just took it apart and put some motor oil on it , i think this is caused by sand getting into your free wheel and this has nothign to do with wal mart bikes becayse when i had this problem it was with my 400 dollar four pack and i had this problem with a dk sinsinatti once too

I'm glad I can't read or understand this because I have a feeling if I could it would just make my head hurt.

Remember kids, School is cool! Then again, the world still needs janitors and garbage collectors.