Installing a freewheel on a flip/flop hub
04-20-06, 02:19 PM
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Installing a freewheel on a flip/flop hub
I have a flip flob hub which is fixed gear on one side. I want to install a freewheel on the other side. Is there a particular way to go about doing this? For example, do I need to use any special tools to install it (or to remove the freewheel later on). Since the bike has track ends, do have to adjust the spacing to make sure the chainline is straight or can I use the same spacing as I do for the fixed cog (the idea being that the freewheel is wider than the fixed cog).
Anything else I need to know before doing this? Thank you.
Anything else I need to know before doing this? Thank you.
04-20-06, 02:28 PM
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Originally Posted by niccolo
I have a flip flob hub which is fixed gear on one side. I want to install a freewheel on the other side. Is there a particular way to go about doing this? For example, do I need to use any special tools to install it (or to remove the freewheel later on). Since the bike has track ends, do have to adjust the spacing to make sure the chainline is straight or can I use the same spacing as I do for the fixed cog (the idea being that the freewheel is wider than the fixed cog).
It would be prudent to put a bit of grease on the threads before screwing the freewheel on.
Singlespeed freewheels generally give pretty much the same chainline as normally installed track sprockets.
You can see a chart with some specific numbers for this on my chainline article:
https://sheldonbrown.com/chainline
However, you'll find that riding with the freewheel is less fun than fixed gear.
See: https://sheldonbrown.com/fixed
Sheldon "Coasting Is Bad For You" Brown
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+-----------------------------------------+ | Bicycling isn't supposed to hurt! See: | | https://sheldonbrown.com/pain.html | +-----------------------------------------+
04-20-06, 02:48 PM
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Sheldon don't tell no lies. Look at his chart when choosing your freewheel and cog, but if you already have the parts and there's a difference, make the cog happy and let the freewheel be off, don't split the difference. You care more about the cog, since a derailed chain on the fixed is way worse. For a while I accidentally had just about the most off combination you could get, and the freewheel was no worse off than pretty much any gear combo on a geared bike.
Also, be sure you get a BMX freewheel remover, not the regular 2 pin one that fits old suntour multispeed freewheels, or you'll have to grind it to make it fit. Not that I've ever had to do that, of course, I just, um, heard it from a friend
Also, be sure you get a BMX freewheel remover, not the regular 2 pin one that fits old suntour multispeed freewheels, or you'll have to grind it to make it fit. Not that I've ever had to do that, of course, I just, um, heard it from a friend
