Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - LBS Installed New Freewheel Cog...Now Grinding Noise? Ideas?

Had a 18T ACS brand new freewheel cog installed on my almost new (prob less than 50 miles) Windsor SS bike and just took it for a ride..not good. The pedals pulse like there is something out of round and it sounds rough. If I take my feet off the pedals when coasting, the pedals/crank make a half turn and then so on. It almost feels like a bearing is out? The young wrench that worked on it did say that he did not have the right socket that was deep enough so he took apart the axle. I did not see him work on it. I just called them and one guy said that "it's normal and they have to break in"..WTF? Kidding me...a grinding noise is nothing to break in. Not inspiring service. I told them I would take it back in the morning and to have someone else please get it right. :mad:

Anybody know what the probable cause would be?

Thanks.

Hmm I have no idea why you'd have to take apart the axle to install a freewheel cog (unless he had to remove the old cog that way.) I put mine on with a chainwhip. But yeah, they don't need to break in... it should be good to go as soon as it's on the hub. Is the noise coming from the rear axle?

Get rid of the ACS freewheel and get a Shimano.

Is your chain too tight?

Had a 18T ACS brand new freewheel cog installed on my almost new (prob less than 50 miles) Windsor SS bike and just took it for a ride..not good. The pedals pulse like there is something out of round and it sounds rough. If I take my feet off the pedals when coasting, the pedals/crank make a half turn and then so on. It almost feels like a bearing is out? The young wrench that worked on it did say that he did not have the right socket that was deep enough so he took apart the axle. I did not see him work on it. I just called them and one guy said that "it's normal and they have to break in"..WTF? Kidding me...a grinding noise is nothing to break in. Not inspiring service. I told them I would take it back in the morning and to have someone else please get it right. :mad:

Anybody know what the probable cause would be?

Thanks.

No effing way - freewheels don't need any break-in of any kind.

Go back to the LBS and ask for the freewheel to be replaced.


How much did they charge you for this f*ckup?

chain is at it's normal tension.
Regarding the ACS hub..it's the same brand as what's on my 29er SS and that one is smooth as butter.
Due to the grinding noise, I want them to everything apart so I can see if any damage. Guess I will know tomorrow.

sounds like he messed up your hub. Maybe he tightened the cone nuts too much or not enough. Either way, I'll bet your hub isn't properly adjusted. Also, check your chain line and make sure there is grease on the chain.

chain is at it's normal tension.
Regarding the ACS hub..it's the same brand as what's on my 29er SS and that one is smooth as butter.
Due to the grinding noise, I want them to everything apart so I can see if any damage. Guess I will know tomorrow.


Blow the shop up with attitude...then watch the young ignorant azz fix it....be sure to blow a nice stinky fart on the way out!
Word!

atx: you use grease on your chain?

*lube

I've had ACS freewheels that do the same thing, particularly the Claw. In spite of what others are telling you here your LBS did not f up. If you want a smooth and quiet freewheel get a Shimano like TejanoTrackie suggested. And it will break in and get better over time.

This is another fine example of what I said in this thread, http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?633817-It-s-OK-to-go-to-a-bike-shop.-They-won-t-rob-you-and-or-kill-you. People with zero experience offering wrong advise. Burn the LBS down!!!

I've had ACS freewheels that do the same thing, particularly the Claw. In spite of what others are telling you here your LBS did not f up. If you want a smooth and quiet freewheel get a Shimano like TejanoTrackie suggested. And it will break in and get better over time.

This is another fine example of what I said in this thread, http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?633817-It-s-OK-to-go-to-a-bike-shop.-They-won-t-rob-you-and-or-kill-you. People with zero experience offering wrong advise. Burn the LBS down!!!

Saddle, I have ACS brand on my SS 29er and it's perfectly smooth. Regarding the Shimano and "it will break in and get better over time" line? I've turned enough wrenches in my day to know that a bearing should not/does not need to "break in". And not really pissed at LBS shop, more dismayed/annoyed that they did not check their work. Will post results of the visit back to them today.

I've had ACS freewheels that do the same thing, particularly the Claw. In spite of what others are telling you here your LBS did not f up. If you want a smooth and quiet freewheel get a Shimano like TejanoTrackie suggested. And it will break in and get better over time.

This is another fine example of what I said in this thread, http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?633817-It-s-OK-to-go-to-a-bike-shop.-They-won-t-rob-you-and-or-kill-you. People with zero experience offering wrong advise. Burn the LBS down!!!
Well, actually, the LBS (or the particular wrench) did indeed f*ck up. That's clear to any unbiased reader, if he/she actually cared to read the account of the thread poster.

Good new: LBS took out the assembly and showed me the rough bearings in the ACS freewheel cog...they had never seen one like it as it also appeared out of round too. They apologized and said it should have not gone out the door previously. New hub is smooth! All good, faith in them restored. Also picked up 2 new tires while there and they were actually less then Jenson had them.

You went to an LBS? What the hell??!!!?

You went to an LBS? What the hell??!!!?

At least they didn't rob/kill him.

Anybody know what the probable cause would be?

Thanks.

ACS brand freewheel cog

Good new: LBS took out the assembly and showed me the rough bearings in the ACS freewheel cog...they had never seen one like it as it also appeared out of round too. They apologized and said it should have not gone out the door previously. New hub is smooth! All good, faith in them restored. Also picked up 2 new tires while there and they were actually less then Jenson had them.

Good work. And thanks for reporting. It proves we all should handle the parts we buy; sometimes you end up with a doodoo.