Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Do french-threaded single speed freewheels exist? (bmx?) if so, where...

I'm working on converting my peugeot UO8 to single speed. Unfortunately, I pulled the freewheel and it is apparently french-threaded (the guy at my LBS said there would be markings on the hub if the threads were different from the country of origin, which there weren't).

So, now I'm in search of a single speed, french-threaded freewheel (16T is fine). Does anyone know if they exist? And if they do, where I can get one?

dang french

Find a new wheel

yeah for real. just get a wheel that isn't french threaded and your life will be so much easier.

i don't know the answer to your question if you decide to tough it out. i would just get a new wheel.

make sure it isn't not-french threaded first.. that no marking thing doesn't sound right to me

check to see if it is french threaded or metric freewheel thread they do make metric freewheels for bmx in small tooth counts acs makes a few as well as dicta

make sure it isn't not-french threaded first.. that no marking thing doesn't sound right to me

good point, i'm going to try and thread on an english freewheel tomorrow.


check to see if it is french threaded or metric freewheel thread they do make metric freewheels for bmx in small tooth counts acs makes a few as well as dicta

nope it's definitely not metric, that I can tell with a ruler. Unfortunately, french and english are so damn close I don't know how to tell without just threading on an english freewheel (which hopefully I can do tomorrow).

I didn't know french hubs had different threads. I wouldn't bother with the stock UO8 wheels anway. Unless they've been upgraded they're steel and not worth the trouble, IMO.

hands up for giving france in its entirety to germany so the germans
can make sure the stuff is standardized and works. . .

good point, i'm going to try and thread on an english freewheel tomorrow.



nope it's definitely not metric, that I can tell with a ruler. Unfortunately, french and english are so damn close I don't know how to tell without just threading on an english freewheel (which hopefully I can do tomorrow).

get some cheap wheels off ebay if you are looking for a ss they have crappy track wheels for about 90 bucks that will do just fine with a fw and brakes but the lockring threads aren't the best

I didn't know french hubs had different threads. I wouldn't bother with the stock UO8 wheels anway. Unless they've been upgraded they're steel and not worth the trouble, IMO.

you're certainly not the first person who's said this, but I'm beginning to agree. The steel rims i have (rigida) have TERRIBLE wet weather breaking. I stopped by a shop today that has a warehouse full of euro stuff, but if they can't find me a french threaded ss freewheel, then I'll just pick up a new set of wheels.

And, if I'm going to do the wheels I may as well do the whole thing right. I have cottered cranks, so I think replacing the cranks will mean also replacing the BB (also french threaded... they're available, just expensive). Then I can do a new chainring, new cranks, new wheels. Replace the brakes and it'll be like a whole new bike. I'm estimating $300-400 for this project, which is a lot to throw into this bike - but it means a lot to me so I might go for it.

get some cheap wheels off ebay if you are looking for a ss they have crappy track wheels for about 90 bucks that will do just fine with a fw and brakes but the lockring threads aren't the best

$90 for a set? I'll have to check these out... and make sure they'll fit in my forks.

Don't bother with steel. There are tons of leftover aluminum rimmed wheels around from all these conversions. Ask around and maybe you could score a set for free.

I'm quite sure that That bike does NOT have a french threaded freewheel, The U08 is a canadian made peugeot many of the parts are not french and as far as i know the diffrence between french and english freewheel threading is not that diffrent so even if it is, french maybe locktight,


But even then Just get new bloody wheels, you will likely not regret it

I'm quite sure that That bike does NOT have a french threaded freewheel, The U08 is a canadian made peugeot many of the parts are not french and as far as i know the diffrence between french and english freewheel threading is not that diffrent so even if it is, french maybe locktight,


But even then Just get new bloody wheels, you will likely not regret it

it actually depends on the U08. The earlier ones were french made. In my case, I have french made normandy hubs on rigida rims. I tried threading on an english freewheel and there was definitely a LOT of play. i could JB weld it on if I wanted, but as you (and others) pointed out, I'll probably be happier just getting some new (to me) aluminum wheels - which is probably what I'll do.

The steel rims are reason enough to ditch the wheels, let alone any oddball French sizing issues. I have two sets of a aluminum rimmed 27" wheels in the garage I would give away. It seems like the OP should be able to find a better set easy enough.