Wheel bearings freezing?

[thesober]

On my commute to work today in Toronto (-10c), I noticed after about 15 minutes of riding, when i start coasting and then repedaling again, it would take a bunch of rotations until I can start moving again. It's the exact same feeling when your chain pops off. Is this because my back wheel bearings are freezing up? Has this happened to anyone else?

[CastIron]

Hmmmm...

Bearings shouldn't, actually can't freeze, they're metal. But the grease will thicken considerably in cold. But that's a bit much at those temps. Alternatively, if they haven't been greased in a while, any moisture would freeze. I've had this with sealed (lined) cable systems.

I'm grasping at straws, really.

[ghettocruiser]

Your freehub pawls are sticking.

The problem is usually caused by the presence of grease, rather than it's absence, and at -18C or whatever it was this morning the grease gets thick enough to keep the ratchet from engaging. It can also happen to really old freehubs where the pawls are wore down.

I guess it could theoretically be water in the freehub, but you'd notice this at -1C or so

You can either have the freehub repacked with low-temperature grease, try another, older back wheel that might not have much grease left to thicken(if you have one) or just assume it won't be -18C again anytime soon. My vote goes for the later.

[jgedwa]

Yup, this is a freewheel/freehub problem. You could take the nozzle of a WD-40 and shoot it in there and it will solve the problem in about 3 seconds. However, WD-40 is a heck of a solvent and if it gets in your wheel bearings they will shortly be toast. So, take the time to remove the freewheel/freehub and then hit it will the solvent, let it dry out, and then try to drip light oil in there. Bolt it back up and you will not have to worry about it for about 10 years.

jim

[Intheloonybin]

+ 1 for the wd40 treatment. Has kept me rolling down to -15F/-26C.

On my bike I lay the wheel down, shoot the wd40 into it, spin the freewheel, then turn the wheel over to let the extra drain out the front.

[jgedwa]

Be very careful with that method. Keep in mind that there are lots of nooks and crannies in there for the solvent to pool, and then get spun out when you ride. I do not mean to sound hysterical, but even a dab of solvent in your bearing grease will cause lots of havoc.

jim