dtipton

Occasionally when I pedal forward the crank just spins without turning the back wheel?? Sometimes it does turn the back wheel, but I can feel it "slipping". This doesn't happen all the time, just when I'm really far from home

I'm guessing something in the rear hub is stripped or worn out?? Can someone tell me what needs to be replaced (a brand or url suggestion would be appreciated).

Thanks

Steev

How old is the bike? I'm guessing you mean 10 speed as 2 chain rings and 5 cogs on a freewheel on the back, not the current 10 cogs on the back meaning of 10 speed.You can probably address this problem by flushing the freewheel body with degreaser, allowing it to drain thoroughly and then drizzling a light lube in.
Sheldon Brown gives some details on this page.
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/freewheels.html

Sci-Fi

If cleaning and re-oiling doesn't work, the freewheel pawls/springs may be just worn out. Not many gearing choices but you can buy a new/replacement 5-speed freewheel for about $11.00:
https://www.bikemannetwork.com/biking/p/COMPFW5/FW8127

Can go to your LBS to remove and install if you don't have the tools or don't wish to buy the removal tool. Might as well ask them to repack the hub bearings while you are there and the freewheel is off, plus check the axle for straightness and replace if necessary.

blamp28

+1

jgedwa

I am very confident that since the problem comes and goes, it is merely all gummed up inside. If the pawls were worn, I think you would see this problem more consistently. Afterall, worn teeth do not wear and re-grow and wear and re-grow.

If you can manage to get it off (good luck on a 30 year old bike! Do may find it is pretty stubborn), then dip the whole thing. Even if you cannot get it off, just try to spray as much WD-40 in there. Maybe spray it every time you go out for a few times.

j

dtipton

Yes I have 5 out back and 2 up front. Sorry for the incorrect terminology.

The bike is a mid 80's Sprint and the hardware is SunTour.

It's never been serviced and I don't have the freewheel puller tool metioned in the article so I guess I'll make a trip to the LBS and have them remove it for me so I can clean it up or replace it depending on what shape it is in.

Thanks

Steev

You can try to clean it out while the freewheel is still on the wheel. Remove the wheel from the bike, lay it down with the freewheel facing up and you should be able to go at it. You'll need to do a little more cleaning up afterwards.

well biked

If it turns out you need a new freewheel, they're not hard to find in 5, 6, or 7 speed models. Since your bike currently has a five speed freewheel, the rear dropout spacing on the frame is likely 120mm, that's the norm for "ten speeds" (2 x 5). Here's an ebay link to a nice NOS Suntour six-speed Ultra freewheel, it should fit your bike just fine and give you an extra gear. The Suntour Ultra 6 is designed for 120mm spacing, the six cogs are a little closer together so they take up approx. the same space as a "standard" five speed freewheel. https://cgi.ebay.com/Suntour-Freewhee...QQcmdZViewItem

For the Suntour freewheel above, you'd need a Park FR-2 freewheel tool (it's a two-notch Suntour). As you can see in this link, Nashbar carries the tools for most of the common freewheels: https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...in%2FFreewheel

StokerPoker

let me know how this works out. there's a ladie's Sprint at a local thrift store that has the same problem. other than that it just needs tires. I might pick it up if it's a free/easy fix

mirkee

I messed around trying to get an old three cog freewheel to work right. For $11 I got a new Shimano freewheel which works great. The LBS took off the old freewheel for me. I went back and got the proper freewheel removal tool (lots of different sizes and patterns) so I have it for next time.

Since a new freewheel is not that expensive, I would not fart around too much with the old one. It's a good fix for a newbie like me learning to work on bikes. I got new wheel bearings and installed/packed them at the same time.

Sheldon Brown

Your terminology is fine, that's a 10 speed.

You do not need to remove the freewheel to lubricate or service it, only if you need to replace it (or to replace a broken spoke.)

Please read: https://sheldonbrown.com/freewheels

Sheldon "Tick Tick Tick..." Brown

dtipton

My LBS is having a tune up class (two nights) and I signed up. Hopefully I won't take to much grief for dragging in my old Schwinn as it looks like they only sell Trek and Giant cycles.

Thanks for all of the great information Mr. Brown.

Don

blamp28

Best idea yet!

dtipton

Attended the first night of the tune up class, best money I've spent in a LONG time. We won't be covering freewheel removal in class, but they said they'd be happy to take it off for me next week after class so we can see if it's just dirty or needs to be replaced. Great People, very friendly and knowledgeable!!

Sheldon Brown

There is no reason to remove the freewheel just to "see if it's just dirty or needs to be replaced." That can be done just as easily with the freewheel on the wheel.

The only reasons to remove a freewheel are to replace it, or to replace spokes, or for easier servicing of the wheel bearings.

Sheldon "Don't Make Extra Work For Yourself" Brown

dtipton

Freewheel just needed a good cleaning, works fine now.