Classic & Vintage - Rear Wheel Cogs.

How difficult is it to take the cogs off the rear wheels I think it is called a cassette. Is there specialist tools involved.

If I can do it anyone can.

Have a look at this video. You'll need a few specialist tools though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MkRUiqHXTY

How difficult is it to take the cogs off the rear wheels I think it is called a cassette. Is there specialist tools involved.

There are freewheels (older technology) and cassettes (newer technology). You'll need special socket to fit the particular model you are removing. The older freewheel models with two prongs have a tendancy to strip so you typically get the appropriate socket and put it on the freewheel, then use a quick release skewer to hold the socket in place so that it can't slip off, then either put the socket in a vise and turn the wheel to break it free or use a big, long wrench to loosen the freewheel. Cassettes are similar and generally a bit easier as they usually have splinded sockets rather than prongs so they aren't as likely to break and strip out. There are a few odd balls out there like early Shimano UniGlides cassettes where you have to use two chain whips to unscrew the small cog which doubles as the retainer. What model are you removing?

I think it is the freewheel type as it is on an 87 Peugeot.

I think it is the freewheel type as it is on an 87 Peugeot.

Unless you lost the lottery and got one of those Helicomatic evolutionary dead ends between freewheel and freehub. Maillard actually almost had the right idea, but the execution left much to be desired.

Unless you lost the lottery and got one of those Helicomatic evolutionary dead ends between freewheel and freehub. Maillard actually almost had the right idea, but the execution left much to be desired.

Yeah, my '85 Peugeot came with one of those. But my '81 Motobecane had a Shimano Uniglide cassette hub so you never know. If you have a Helicomatic you're essentially screwed.

I replaced the rear wheel on my cheap old mountain bike a couple of times, and the bike shop just popped it off the old one and put it on the new one for me- didn't take 'em two minutes, as I recall.

Sorry don't understand, what is Helicomatic?

here ya go:
http://sheldonbrown.com/gloss_ha-i.html#helicomatic

Sorry don't understand, what is Helicomatic?

Let's just say they should have gone ahead and spelled it with two L's.

From the image in the Sheldon Brown site I don't think it is a Hell Comatic. I will take the wheel off tomorrow to see for sure.

I took off the wheel today. Here is a picture of the cogs. It appears that the first three cogs are one unit and the last two are just individual. From the picture is this how it is normally done.

How difficult is it to take the cogs off the rear wheels I think it is called a cassette. Is there specialist tools involved.

I take it back!

Here's the best instructional on how to do what you need done, you'll need a special tool to remove the freewheel.

http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=48

I took off the wheel today. Here is a picture of the cogs. It appears that the first three cogs are one unit and the last two are just individual. From the picture is this how it is normally done.

That's a Maillard freewheel. You need one of these tools: http://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cgi?&d=single&item_id=VR-RL40500

I took the wheel to a bike shop that I heard off. There was an old guy there and he removed the cogs, fitted a spoke protector and put back on the cogs for me. All it cost me was 1 euro!, that's less that $2. I

Good job, gholian! Sounds like you found a treasure of a bike-shop. They'd win my continued business.

Good job, gholian! Sounds like you found a treasure of a bike-shop. They'd win my continued business.

Yes I have, I will certainly be going back there. The guy there really had an interest in vintage bikes.