i know im a retard, but.......

[edmej123]

i know im a retard, but....... whats the difference between cassettes and freecoasters? i have vague ideas but i dont wanna guess cuz i dont wanna sound stupid (im a little late for that) so can anyone please explain freecoasters and cassettes?

Thanks

[JMC]

uh, no.

[edmej123]

if ur not gonna help shut up.........

[Freebyrd]

freecoaster just allow you to ride backwards w/o having to backpedal. im not sure what casstettes are though... i think they have faster response or something

[haro_rider09]

o yeah and arent u the one who told me not to say retard? and then u put it in the thread name lol

[edmej123]

yeah, i know, its cuz somebody sent me a pm about this thread telling me not to do it (sure......) not like i care...

[BMXTRIX]

Geez... A real response here:

FREECOASTER: A freecoaster is a complete rear hub design that includes an internal clutch that disengages from the hub when the rider stops pedalling forward. This clutch requires about 1/16th of a crank to engage the hub, so the slack before you go anywhere is pretty significant on it. But, when the bike is rolling backwards the pedals do not shift unless you pedal forwards. If you try this on any bike with a freewheel (or cassette) you will find that the pedals spin backwards when you are rolling backwards. Freecoasters were originally modified coaster brake hubs (like when you were a kid and backpedalled and the brakes came on: that's a coaster brake hub). Now, Nankai really reigns supreme in the freecoaster department with very high quality freecoasters and one-piece drivers (don't strip out) down to 11 teeth, perfect to match with a small front sprocket for more room to maneuver.

CASSETTE: A cassette is also a complete hub assembly, but this one ends up acting exactly like a freewheel. That is, when you pedal forward, you go forward, when you stop pedalling you hear a clicking sound, when you roll backwards the pedals shift backward. (note: freecoasters are silent when you stop pedalling) People get cassette hubs because they are supposed to be stronger than your average freewheel (not all are though!) and more importantly, you can run rear sprockets down the 9 teeth on some of them. This allows for (once again) the smaller front sprocket and more room under the bike to maneuver around stuff. Some cassette hubs use special technology that completely eliminates any slack from pedalling. So, the moment you pedal forward, the cranks engage and you are accellerating. It is very noticable, but not necessarily as reliable of a technology.

[Mr.Noobie]

im also curious are a free coasters a must need for starting flatland

im learning flat on a trail bike w/ a free wheel, should invest in one now, or more down the road?

also, great info

[CMcMahon]

Riding flatland without a freecoaster is very hard. The only thing that I've really heard of people using besides them is direct-drive, and that's pretty much just for experimentation (ex: Kevin Jones).

[sxe fbm rider]

My road bike is direct drive a.k.a. "fixed gear."

[BMXTRIX]

If you have a bike and want to ride flatland, then ride it. Freecoasters didn't really exist when I started riding and there are a TON of tricks you can do without one. They become more important maybe after a year of riding, but not right away.

You will want a tight chain a cranks that don't spin on their own though. Slightly over-tightened bottom bracket with a tight chain is ideal for flatland.

[jrt1990]

what exactly is a fixed gear? and you dont have to do a paragraph long answer.