Bicycle Mechanics - freehub slowing me down?

I have been messing around with my rear hub tonight and noticed that my freehub seems to signifigantly be slowing down my wheel. The reason I noticed this is that when the wheel is attached to one dropout and the freehub is not engaged, the wheel will rotate perfectly. HOwever, if I hold the cassete and thus engage the freehub the wheel quickly slows down. On top of that I can feel some roughness when I hold the cassete in place. Does this mean that I need to overhall the freehub? Maybe just lube it? Thanks for the help.

When you hold the freehub and make it click, there is some friction inside it, therefore making the wheel slow quicker than normal. If it slows really fast and are worried, take it to a bike shop and have them look at it. The newer freehubs do not have as much friction as some older ones.

Brendon

If you remove the wheel from the bike, you should be able to spin the freehub easily with your fingers. Actually, it should coast a bit when you spin it.

If it doesn't do that, look carefully at the freehub to see where the moving and stationary parts join. Set youe wheel horizontally on a trash can and give it a hit of some light spray lube. Spin the cog with your fingers until it loosens up. That will work 90% of the time.

If that doesn't work, you are probably going to need a new freehub body. They only cost about $25.00 or $30.00 but you have to completely remove the axle from the hub to replace it.

Don't worry, be happy!

Well, maybe there is a problem with the freehub (see above), but in reallife situation, you are pedalling, so your cassette is revolving at the same speed as the wheel: a little bit like when you are spinning the wheel and letting the freewheel spin at the same time. It is only when you coast that the freewheel clicks and that freewheel friction would come into play.

Regards,

Is it not just the cones needing re-adjusted?

Cone adjustment?

If you only get the drag when the freehub is not engaged (coasting), then it is the freehub. If the drag is there all the time, then it may be the hub bearings, either cup and cone or cartridge. I also noticed that you made reference to the wheel only being attached to one dropout. What do you mean? Also, is your QR too tight? That can put pressure on the bearings that they are not meant to handle. Rule of thumb is that the inside of the skewer should be touching the outside of the dropout when the QR handle is parallel to the axle, and it should leave the faintest of impressions on your palm when properly locked.