Bicycle Mechanics - help: hub/freewheel problem

here is the problem:

while the bike is on the workstand and I start to pedal it then I stop the rotation the freewheel starts clicking, but it will spin for a second and then tries to drive the chain and spin the cranks. If I hold the pedals to engage the freewheel again then I can feel it trying to drive the chain.

The rear wheel hub is a Bontrager Race.

Is this causing me drag when I coast?

I tried to lubricate where I could, but it didn't help.

Any help and advice would be appreciated.

:D

You need to inspect and service or replace that freehub post haste, before it surprises you by locking up while you are coasting fast down a hill. This is a safety issue! You may have some debris in the ratchet mechanism, or it may just be a bit too tight.

here is the problem:

...I stop the rotation the freewheel starts clicking, but it will spin for a second and then tries to drive the chain and spin the cranks.... Any help and advice would be appreciated.

:D


Do you have a spoke protector between the cassette and the wheel? If so, make sure it is secured to the spokes. My friend had a similar problem, when trying to coast, the chain would get "pushed" forward. It turned out the spoke protector detached from the spokes (those plastic clips broke), and the spoke protector would lodge itself between the cassette and wheel and essentially cause the cassette to spin with the wheel when coasting.

I have had a few just drag lightly from strong ratchet pawl force. If the spin force involved is enough to spin the pedals when the chain is on the smallest rear cogs then there is cause for a bit of concern. Another check is to remove the wheel (or the chain, whichever is easier) and try to spin the cassette. It should freespin for a few seconds. If it takes effort to spin it, or it just stops instantly, look into a problem. It could be as simple as gummy grease/lube in the mechanism.
We should have asked earlier...
How old is it?

Thanks for the replies.

The though of a safety issue will make me stop using the rear wheel until fixed.

The wheelset is a 2001 model.

I tried to flush the freewheel and then re-lubricated, but no help.

With the cassette off the freewheel stops after like 1 second.

I tried to remove the freewheel for replacement w/ a 12mm allen key, but
it is too tight and I don't want to damage anything else in the process.

I've always enjoyed doing my own bike builds and routine fixes, but I'm considering
taking the wheel to the LBS and let them change out the freewheel.

good call.