problem with my freewheel

[Aqualung]

I think, anyway. It recently started. I bought this really cheap bike from a department store. It's a BMX bike, and I use it to get around school, so it doesn't get very heavy use. I walk it from my dorm room to the elevator every time I leave. Recently, when I'm walking it, I noticed that the driveshaft is not disengaging, and the pedals keep spinning, almost like I'm walking one of those kiddie tricycles. I also notice that it makes a kind of rusty type grinding noise when I am coasting (while riding). Does anybody have any suggestions for what it might be and any advice on how to fix it (I don't know very much about bikes at all)?

[live4muzic2]

spinning the cranks while walking is normal. if its such little use dont worry about it.

[Aqualung]

Oh, okay, good. Thanks.

Out of curiousity, is this unique to BMX bikes? It has never happened on my mountain bike. Maybe it's something to do with the weight, or are they constructed somewhat differently?

[FitRider 921]

Actually, there is a problem. It's ghost-pedaling. You could try greasing it up.

[Aqualung]

I was thinking it was lubrication problem. Is there any chance that it's actually due to something having broken, or is this not the kind of problem that could be caused by that?

[dooley]

theres a small gap in the freewheel, squirt loads of wd40 in there and spin the wheel. try not to get the wd40 on the hub bearings.

[wethepeople]

Or, y'know, don't use wd40 because that will make it worse.

Try some three in one oil.

[Aqualung]

Is there some sort of assuredly "bike approved" oil or something available at bike stores, or will they sell the same types of generic lubricants that I could buy at walmart or something (I want to make sure I'm using the right stuff, but I don't want to pay something high when I could buy the same thing at wal mart)?

[wethepeople]

Bike shops will have the right types of lube. I just suggested 3-1 because it's what most people have laying around. A lot of bikes ghost pedal, hell, it's not just your X-mart bike either, my $2000+ MacNeil does it as well.

[Aqualung]

Oh, okay. Thanks for the clarification, and thanks to everyone who answered. You've been most helpful. :)

[dooley]

Or, y'know, don't use wd40 because that will make it worse.

Try some three in one oil.

by all means use some 3in1 after you've used wd40 (wd40 is to freewheels as draino is to drains), but don't expect the freewheel to perform any better because of it.

[melman99]

do NOT use wd-40

[Aqualung]

What will wd40 do to it?

[KinetikBiker]

What will wd40 do to it?

WD-40 is a very thin lube and so it will most likely damage the bearings.

The only place WD-40 has on a bmx bike is in the freewheel, because you need a nice thin grease to clean those out. But anything else will be a very bad idea.

[eightdip]

Grips

[sprintcarblue]

WD-40 is a very thin lube and so it will most likely damage the bearings.

The only place WD-40 has on a bmx bike is in the freewheel, because you need a nice thin grease to clean those out. But anything else will be a very bad idea.

WD-40 is a solvent with a small percentage of mineral oil which will lubricate slightly but will dissolve the heavier grease internally.

From the sound of your problem is that you probably have dirty and grime in your freewheel in the old grease, so WD-40 would be good to clean out the old grime. This will make it last longer than having your freewheel full of gunk. You can always re grease the freewheel with some tri-flow or something if you want, but for general use it won't really matter a huge amount.

[Aqualung]

WD-40 is a solvent with a small percentage of mineral oil which will lubricate slightly but will dissolve the heavier grease internally.

From the sound of your problem is that you probably have dirty and grime in your freewheel in the old grease, so WD-40 would be good to clean out the old grime. This will make it last longer than having your freewheel full of gunk. You can always re grease the freewheel with some tri-flow or something if you want, but for general use it won't really matter a huge amount.

Yeah, it does sound like there's dirt in there. I think I'll take your tip then, if I can find some wd40 at safeway, and some real grease at the bike shop.

[live4muzic2]

Grips

true dat. 3 in 1 or phils wood is good.

[Aqualung]

While I'm hear, I might as well update the problem. I was riding my bike once and landed a jump and suddenly couldn't pedal anymore. It was like it was freewheeling in both directions. Luckily, I was pretty near the bike shop anyway, so I just walked it over there and they told me it was bent or something and I needed to replace it. So I didn.

Anyway, though, I'm having this problem now with a mountain bike I bought, also at a department store, to replace my BMX bike since I was having to ride longer distances to work. This time it's a lot more hardcore, too. I can't backpedal at all, as it just makes the chain go slack, not turning the gears. Coasting also has this problem. Does this also sound like I just have dirt in there, but just a lot more of it, or does it sound like a more important problem?

[the_don]

either the derailer arm spring is not strong enough(unlikely if it suddenly happened) or the free hub has gotten really grimey and the grease is sticky inside, light oil is the best stuff for freehubs, u can try your wd-40 method with light oil afterwards. It's only a cheapo bike.

I reccomend saving up a bit and getting a good bike next time. Live and learn!! If u are low on cash, buy used, u can get a really good setup, for a great price!!!

[Panthers007]

College/University campuses and housing, close to when school lets out, is a good time to go shopping for used bikes. Lots of rich kids with $500 to $1,000 bikes that they don't want because Dad bought 'em a Porsche. Bring cash to wave under noses. I live in a big college town. You wouldn't believe what gets tossed out when Hollingsworth and Tiffany graduate.