[darkmother]

Hey guys,

It was -24C (-11F) this morning, and I rode, as always. I was dressed for it, so no trouble for me, but my bike apparently didn't like it. About a 1/4 into the ride, my cassette body started slipping when I'd really stand on it. Gradually it got worse, until eventually it wouldn't engage at all, and I had to walk the last 2 km like a chump. I figure either there is some moisture in there that is freezing, or the grease itself is becoming so thick that the prawls can't engage. Anyone else have this problem? As soon as I warm it up, it works fine. I'm thinking of removing the CB and dunking the whole thing in used motor oil for a few minutes, then reinstalling it. What do you guys think?

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[nick burns]

I've had the same problem with freewheels in snow/ice conditions. Pretty interesting sensation when you go to apply force to the pedal & it just spins :eek: Keeping it well lubed with lightweight oil might help some. I'm hoping someone posts some good solutions, too (aside from switching to fixed)

[HereNT]

(aside from switching to fixed)

That's my suggestion.

[Daily Commute]

Keep your bike inside on both ends of the trip. It will be less likely to freeze. I have never had this problem on my 20-45 minute winter commutes. I know nothing about how a freewheel works, but could this be partially the fault of a dying freewheel? Maybe a new one would not have the problem.

[nick burns]

Keep your bike inside on both ends of the trip. It will be less likely to freeze. I have never had this problem on my 20-45 minute winter commutes. I know nothing about how a freewheel works, but could this be partially the fault of a dying freewheel? Maybe a new one would not have the problem.

Actually, most everytime this has happened, the bike had been in a warm building. I'm thinking that keeping the bike cold might be a better solution. That way snow and ice won't melt on the warm freewheel/cassette surface & work its way inside, refreezing and fouling the pawls.

[Daily Commute]

Actually, most everytime this has happened, the bike had been in a warm building. I'm thinking that keeping the bike cold might be a better solution. That way snow and ice won't melt on the warm freewheel/cassette surface & work its way inside, refreezing and fouling the pawls.
I found I had more freezing problems (brakes and derailleurs) when I kept my bike outside. I haven't had the problem since I started keeping it indoors. But, heh, whatever works.

[nualle]

I have no choice but to keep my poor steed outside. Anything I can do to unfreeze the brake cables to ride it?

I tried using a hair dryer to warm the cables, thinking that some water had worked its way in there, then frozen. It worked, but then they refroze (so evidently either the water didn't evaporate out, just went liquid for a while, or else the problem is something else).

[bacolmm]

Can this problem manifest itself in the opposite manner? In other words, the pawls sticking in the engaged position rather than the dis-engaged position? While I was riding on Sunday the cassette on my bike wanted to continue to turn with the wheel even when I wasn't pedaling. It was enough that it would turn the cranks if I took my feet off the pedals, but not so much that it wouldn't free wheel (with a little added resistance) when I held the cranks stationary. I took the wheel off and cleaned it up and the more I cleaned it, the better it worked. It still feels a little "sticky" but it's 100 times better.

[darkmother]

Last night I tore down my rear hub, removed the cassette body, and since I didn't have the specialized tool to open it up, I squirted some WD-40 in it, then soaked the whole thing in motor oil for a couple of hours. Put it back on the wheel, buttoned it up, and it seems pretty happy. Smooth. We'll see how it does the next time it gets really cold.

As for the question about brake cables-I have that problem too occasionally. I suggest that you lubricate your brake cables with a heavy oil, or grease before you install them. The oil or grease provides a barrier to moisture, and should keep most of it out. Makes your brakes work better too.

[cristoff]

Hey guys,

It was -24C (-11F) this morning, and I rode, as always. I was dressed for it, so no trouble for me, but my bike apparently didn't like it. About a 1/4 into the ride, my cassette body started slipping when I'd really stand on it. Gradually it got worse, until eventually it wouldn't engage at all, and I had to walk the last 2 km like a chump. I figure either there is some moisture in there that is freezing, or the grease itself is becoming so thick that the prawls can't engage. Anyone else have this problem? As soon as I warm it up, it works fine. I'm thinking of removing the CB and dunking the whole thing in used motor oil for a few minutes, then reinstalling it. What do you guys think?
You may want carry some lock de-icer with you , the bottle are small and light.