drafters65
07-23-09, 10:49 PM
i just acquired a used bike and when i shift it to the smaller gears the cassette rotates along with the chain on and off. anyone know what this might be and how much would it cost to repair it? thanks
Bicycle Mechanics - help small cogs in the cassette spins freely
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dabac
07-24-09, 02:35 AM
There's a bunch of info missing, so this will be fairly speculative. I'm thinking that maybe you've got one of those aluminum bodies, and the sprockets have eventually carved their way through the splines enabling them to rotate along with the chain w/o engaging the wheel. At minimum you're looking at a new body ($25-$50 for average stuff, $80-$100 for specials)
The sensible thing would probably be to replace cassette, chain and body, which will set you back a bit more, depending on what level of kit you want to put on there. Another $70-$100 should be able to see you through.
If it was only the smallest gear there's a small possibility that improper assembly would cause this effect, but I don't really believe that. If this would be the case, then maybe you could get away with a new and properly mounted cassette only.
The sensible thing would probably be to replace cassette, chain and body, which will set you back a bit more, depending on what level of kit you want to put on there. Another $70-$100 should be able to see you through.
If it was only the smallest gear there's a small possibility that improper assembly would cause this effect, but I don't really believe that. If this would be the case, then maybe you could get away with a new and properly mounted cassette only.
drafters65
07-24-09, 12:19 PM
There's a bunch of info missing, so this will be fairly speculative. I'm thinking that maybe you've got one of those aluminum bodies, and the sprockets have eventually carved their way through the splines enabling them to rotate along with the chain w/o engaging the wheel. At minimum you're looking at a new body ($25-$50 for average stuff, $80-$100 for specials)
The sensible thing would probably be to replace cassette, chain and body, which will set you back a bit more, depending on what level of kit you want to put on there. Another $70-$100 should be able to see you through.
If it was only the smallest gear there's a small possibility that improper assembly would cause this effect, but I don't really believe that. If this would be the case, then maybe you could get away with a new and properly mounted cassette only.
hmm its not a constant thing. its more of a on and off. please ask anything that might help with this diagnosis. thanks dabac
The sensible thing would probably be to replace cassette, chain and body, which will set you back a bit more, depending on what level of kit you want to put on there. Another $70-$100 should be able to see you through.
If it was only the smallest gear there's a small possibility that improper assembly would cause this effect, but I don't really believe that. If this would be the case, then maybe you could get away with a new and properly mounted cassette only.
hmm its not a constant thing. its more of a on and off. please ask anything that might help with this diagnosis. thanks dabac
Ex Pres
07-24-09, 12:46 PM
First thing he wants you to check is assembly of the cassette on the freehub body. Then the freehub splines.
Want you'll need to do is remove the cassette and do a visual inspection. You should be able to tell if assembly was the issue at this point. If not, check the splines. If all looks good, then you'll need to see if you can spin the freehub clockwise by hand. Even if it's bad you may not be able to do this without mechanical assistance. But from your description another possibility is that the pawls in the freehub body are bad, or maybe just sticky and need flushing.
Want you'll need to do is remove the cassette and do a visual inspection. You should be able to tell if assembly was the issue at this point. If not, check the splines. If all looks good, then you'll need to see if you can spin the freehub clockwise by hand. Even if it's bad you may not be able to do this without mechanical assistance. But from your description another possibility is that the pawls in the freehub body are bad, or maybe just sticky and need flushing.
Gonzo Bob
07-24-09, 01:10 PM
hmm its not a constant thing. its more of a on and off. please ask anything that might help with this diagnosis. thanks dabac
You haven't described your problem precisely enough. What do you mean by "cassette rotates along with the chain"? A cassette should always rotate with the chain. If it's not, the chain is slipping. Or do you mean a cassette cog is rotating on the freehub body? That is how dabac interpreted it. Or do you mean that the entire freehub body rotates but the wheel does not? There are probably other possibilities from your ambiguous description.
You haven't described your problem precisely enough. What do you mean by "cassette rotates along with the chain"? A cassette should always rotate with the chain. If it's not, the chain is slipping. Or do you mean a cassette cog is rotating on the freehub body? That is how dabac interpreted it. Or do you mean that the entire freehub body rotates but the wheel does not? There are probably other possibilities from your ambiguous description.
Al1943
07-24-09, 02:03 PM
Are you sure this is a cassette and freehub or could it be a freewheel. If you don't know check what Sheldon said at http://www.sheldonbrown.com.
I doubt that the cassette cogs are spinning on the freehub splines. It's more likely that the hub pawls are not engaging consistently. A deep cleaning and lube job will often correct this.
I doubt that the cassette cogs are spinning on the freehub splines. It's more likely that the hub pawls are not engaging consistently. A deep cleaning and lube job will often correct this.
drafters65
07-25-09, 11:12 PM
Are you sure this is a cassette and freehub or could it be a freewheel. If you don't know check what Sheldon said at http://www.sheldonbrown.com.
I doubt that the cassette cogs are spinning on the freehub splines. It's more likely that the hub pawls are not engaging consistently. A deep cleaning and lube job will often correct this.
sorry its a freewheel i just took a closer look. I dont have the tools to take it off so I can't really inspect it. Yes it feels like the something isnt engaging in the freewheel.
I doubt that the cassette cogs are spinning on the freehub splines. It's more likely that the hub pawls are not engaging consistently. A deep cleaning and lube job will often correct this.
sorry its a freewheel i just took a closer look. I dont have the tools to take it off so I can't really inspect it. Yes it feels like the something isnt engaging in the freewheel.
drafters65
07-26-09, 01:37 PM
hey thanks for everyones help in trying to diagnose the situation and sorry for the noob mistake of calling it a cassette when it was a freewheel. I believe all i have to do now is change the freewheel since it seems like the ratcheting mechanism is starting to fail. Thanks...BF rules!