Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Freewheel brands

Ok~

So I have the hardest time believing that there are no well-built SS freewheels out there... my bike mech told me that they're all built for BMX bikes, and they're all crappy.

Is this true?

I've gone through two of them, and they both make a nasty clicky-rattly-weirdcan'tdescribe sound.

SO, is there a "best brand" of singlespeed freewheel that I can get? I prefer sizes 16-17.

THANKS!!!!
john

I used to have a Shimano something or other that was pretty nice.

What about White Industries ENO??? Do these hold up? It seems like for 70 bucks, they'd better... any thoughts?

http://www.whiteind.com/ENO_Products/images/freewheels/red.jpg

White Industries (http://www.whiteind.com/ENO_Products/freewheel.html)

edit: In response to JCH, I don't have one, but the singlespeed fanatics at my favorite shop speak glowingly of it.

Sorry my original post was completely worthless.
I tried to search for the craigslisting in which I listed the model of that shimano freewheel, but no luck.

I'd have pretty good faith in a White Industries freewheel being really nice.
The Shimano one I had was like $30.

My little experience with the AC Racing freewheel was positive, as well.

Oh, and I'm pretty sure the Shimano was an SF-MX30.

So I have the hardest time believing that there are no well-built SS freewheels out there... my bike mech told me that they're all built for BMX bikes, and they're all crappy.

Is this true?


no. most are made for bmx, but even the cheapest ones should last you a long time (unless you're a messenger or something). they're supposed to make that clicking sound, sometimes it gets louder or quieter with use, it's nothing to worry about. shimanos are perfectly fine and will last you many thousands of miles. if money's just burning a hole in your pocket, you can get white industries ones here (http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/singlespeed.html)

Does anyone know why the White Industries ENO costs $70 ??? Is it supposed to be that good?

On my single speed trials bike, I run through shimano freewheels about once every three months. ACS claws freewheels last about six, and the white ind. I have has yet to blow in 2 years. I don't really know why they're so much better, but they seem to be bomproof (and pretty heavy).

On my single speed trials bike, I run through shimano freewheels about once every three months. ACS claws freewheels last about six, and the white ind. I have has yet to blow in 2 years. I don't really know why they're so much better, but they seem to be bomproof (and pretty heavy).

Heavy isn't a huge issue with me, but I ride every day, all year, in Chicago - so it seemed like after a few months, my ACS just crapped out... and the new one started making noises the day I bought it.

White Industries might be the way I go... despite costing that much, it might be worth it.

Ive heard only good things about them also. FWIW here is a little review google scared up:

http://www.bikemag.com/gear/drivetrain/032806_white/

Has anyone ever rebuilt the ENO freewheel?
What has your experience been?

Tangsooyuk - thanks for the review link - good stuff.

Heavy isn't a huge issue with me, but I ride every day, all year, in Chicago - so it seemed like after a few months, my ACS just crapped out... and the new one started making noises the day I bought it.

White Industries might be the way I go... despite costing that much, it might be worth it.

It just depends whether or not you want to consider a freewheel as a consumable. With the ACS/Shimano/Cheap BMX freewheels, you assume a certain lifespan (like a chain or something) and replace every so often for not much money.

With a White Ind, you are buying a quality component that you shouldn't have to replace until the teeth wear out, and that should take a looong time with the hardened steel they use. Whether or it lasts ~6 times longer in order to make up the price difference is the main question.

It just depends whether or not you want to consider a freewheel as a consumable. With the ACS/Shimano/Cheap BMX freewheels, you assume a certain lifespan (like a chain or something) and replace every so often for not much money.

With a White Ind, you are buying a quality component that you shouldn't have to replace until the teeth wear out, and that should take a looong time with the hardened steel they use. Whether or it lasts ~6 times longer in order to make up the price difference is the main question.

Thanks for the advice!

I'm pretty sure that the White Industries freewheels have cartridge bearings, as opposed to a zillion loose balls that are adjusted for play by adding or removing paper-thin sheet metal shims.

I personally think that spending a ton of money on a freewheel is not really worth your time. As long as you keep the pawls and bearings in a cheapo freewheel oiled with a medium weight oil, you will probably never have a problem unless you manage to physically break the pawls or something. Gummed-up freewheels (ones that don't coast smoothly) and slipping freewheels (ones that sometimes allow freewheeling in the wrong direction!) are both caused by stiff grease. Just get some light to medium weight machine oil and dribble it into the crack between the stationary and moving parts of the freewheel. Get it good and soaked with oil, spin it a bunch, and it will run like brand new as long as it wasn't neglected enough for the bearings or pawls to become damaged. Actually, it will probably run even better than new, since they come from the factory packed with light grease, and the oil has a ton less viscosity. Basically, it will freewheel even more smoothly and the pawls will behave much more reliably.

On my single speed trials bike, I run through shimano freewheels about once every three months. ACS claws freewheels last about six, and the white ind. I have has yet to blow in 2 years. I don't really know why they're so much better, but they seem to be bomproof (and pretty heavy).
you have a great point about considering freewheels as a consumeable...

white industries freewheels have sealed cartridge bearings in them and are probably made with tighter tolerances and better materials, etc... hence their longevity. i have one on my ss mtb and absolutely love it. the trials specific ones are sweet because they have four sets of pawls that are offset, giving you 72 points of engagement... chris king engagement for a fraction of the cost. if i ever get my trials bike running again, i want to run one on my ffw cranks and fix my rear hub...

shimano bmx freewheels are the biggest pieces of crap. they're over packed with grease, which is why they're so quiet, but i think that also makes them prone to a short lifespan.

Does anyone know why the White Industries ENO costs $70 ??? Is it supposed to be that good?

They cost more to build... 36 tooth ratchet vs 20, 3 or 6 pawls vs 2 for other brands.

FREEWHEELS (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/singlespeed.html#freewheels)

Dogbait

my bike mech told me that they're all built for BMX bikes, and they're all crappy.

... and when somebody asks why many riders hate shops we have nothing to say. How can a mechanic be such a ******** jackass? Seriously. The supposition that built for BMX=crappy is a joke in itself. And everyone knows there's Shimano and ACS and White. A mechanic should know that much at least, or admit that he doesn't know jack and shut up.

the owner of my LBS races the ENO and cannot stop talking about how good it is. Its like King Headsets and Phil hubs. They cost a bunch, but will keep on spinning smooth after you've already thrashed two or three of the cheap ones. Plus, the engagement on the ENO is a lot quicker than most standard freewheels, 72t as opposed to like 18 to others.