T_Le

My sister has a 7-Speed Micargi Beachcruiser with a Shimano MF-TZ21 Freewheel that I'm trying to remove from the rear wheel. I've researched for a week on how to remove this and have yet to find something that works...

I asked an employee at Performance Bike about my problem and he said that the Park Tool FR-5 Cassette Lockring Tool, along with a chain whip, should be able to remove it. I have both of these tools and my problem is that the lockring tool is a bit too large to fit... I've seen many YouTube videos and lots of help threads about removing cassettes/freewheels with these tools and it looks really simple because these (more modern/expensive?) models have a silver lockring that allows the lockring tool to fit in perfectly for installation/removal. The MF-TZ21, however, does not...

Would I have to purchase a silver lockring to remove it, or more importantly, is the silver lockring I'm seeing in all of these videos even compatible with the MF-TZ21? Any advice/help is appreciated.

bikeman715

you need the parktool 's FR-1 tool https://www.parktool.com/product/freewheel-remover-fr-1to remove the freewheel. the FR-1 look like the FR-5 but longer .

FastJake

Did the shop sell you a chain whip and a cassette tool to remove a freewheel? If so, return them. You don't need either of those. You need a freewheel remover. It looks very similar to your cassette tool, but has a different set of splines. To remove the freewheel with the correct tool, you only need to insert it and turn left (counter-clockwise.) This may be very difficult, and you may have to put the tool in a vice to actually remove the freewheel.

It's very important to be clear on the difference between a freewheel and a cassette Freehub: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/free-k7.html

Mondoman

FJ is right -- if the shop sold you freehub tools when you told them you had a freewheel, they messed up big time and should be happy to take back the tools for a refund (even if opened). You might also want to find an alternate source for bike wrenching info

T_Le

Exactly what I needed, thanks so much everyone

I guess only one tool is needed for removing/installing freewheels; all the videos I watched were about removing cassettes then lol. I'll go ahead and hang onto the FR-5 tool and chainwhip anyways, since I have a roadbike with a 21 speed cassette that I'll need to clean later.

davidad

To remove a freewheel you need the proper splined tool and most likely a long breaker bar. They get very tight over time and can be difficult to remove. It will help to use the QR to hold the tool in place.

cyclist2000

or a bench vise to hold the freewheel tool

Homebrew01

And turn the wheel counter clockwise. Use the qr lever to hold the freewheel tool in place so it doesn't slip out. make the qr lever almost tight, with a small wiggle. After the freewheel breaks loose 1/2 turn or so, you can remove the qr & continue unscrewing the freewheel.