Rain killed my freewheel cog?
07-08-06, 08:49 PM
#1
FG 48x17
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: El 'Burque, NM
Posts: 289
Bikes: Lemond Road, IRO Rob Roy, Rush Hour Fixie
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Rain killed my freewheel cog?
I've got a Raliegh Rush Hour that I rode for the first time in the rain/puddles this week while commuting (not much rain in Albuquerque usually). After washing the bike, chain, etc today, I noticed that it sounds like there is "grit" in the freewheel in certain places when I rotate it slowly. Is this possible? Is it bad (I assume it must be)? Anything I can do, short of replacing the cog or riding it fixed (which I do on occasion, but I'm getting a Mark V for that)? Thanks!
07-08-06, 10:34 PM
#3
crotchety young dude
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SF, CA
Posts: 4,818
Bikes: IRO Angus; Casati Gold Line; Redline 925; '72 Schwinn Olympic Paramount
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Note: look for Tri-Flow at you local hardware store. I pay something like $2.75 a bottle there...
07-08-06, 10:39 PM
#5
King Among Runaways
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: MKE
Posts: 4,215
Bikes: 2004 Bianchi Pista, Cannondale Track, Soma Pake, Schwinn Breeze
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I really hate tri-flow.
Turns everything black.
I wish I knew the chain lube I use at work but it's not kept in the original bottle so I'm out of luck.
Sorry.
Turns everything black.
I wish I knew the chain lube I use at work but it's not kept in the original bottle so I'm out of luck.
Sorry.
__________________
"I owe everyone an apology" - hyperrevue
"I owe everyone an apology" - hyperrevue
07-09-06, 12:18 AM
#6
live free or die trying
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: where i lay my head is home.
Posts: 6,999
Bikes: bianchi pista workhorse, cannondale r1000, mountain bike fixed conversion
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
tri-flow smells soooooo good.
07-09-06, 01:38 AM
#7
Elitist
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 15,965
Mentioned: 88 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1386 Post(s)
Liked 92 Times
in
77 Posts
Originally Posted by hyperRevue
I really hate tri-flow.
Turns everything black.
I wish I knew the chain lube I use at work but it's not kept in the original bottle so I'm out of luck.
Sorry.
Turns everything black.
I wish I knew the chain lube I use at work but it's not kept in the original bottle so I'm out of luck.
Sorry.
We didn't want to tell you because we didn't want to upset you. Sorry.
07-09-06, 05:06 AM
#8
jack of one or two trades
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Suburbia, CT
Posts: 5,640
Bikes: Old-ass gearie hardtail MTB, fix-converted Centurion LeMans commuter, SS hardtail monster MTB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
This is one of the main reasons that freewheels suck. The only kind that will hold up to most rain, snow, mud, etc. is the White Industries Freewheel, and it runs around $80. Either learn to service your $10 OEM one, pony up for the WI, or just ride fixed.
07-09-06, 06:10 AM
#9
Senior Member
Originally Posted by Aeroplane
This is one of the main reasons that freewheels suck. The only kind that will hold up to most rain, snow, mud, etc. is the White Industries Freewheel, and it runs around $80. Either learn to service your $10 OEM one, pony up for the WI, or just ride fixed.
07-09-06, 07:09 AM
#10
Team Sohoku
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Not where I want to be.
Posts: 2,003
Bikes: BMC, Cannondale, '87 Nishiki Modulus, 3Rensho Keirin
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have a Shimano 18T freewheel that never ran smoothly in my opinion.
07-09-06, 07:49 AM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 18,138
Bikes: 2 many
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1266 Post(s)
Liked 323 Times
in
169 Posts
Originally Posted by eaglevii
I've got a Raliegh Rush Hour that I rode for the first time in the rain/puddles this week while commuting (not much rain in Albuquerque usually). After washing the bike, chain, etc today, I noticed that it sounds like there is "grit" in the freewheel in certain places when I rotate it slowly. Is this possible? Is it bad (I assume it must be)? Anything I can do, short of replacing the cog or riding it fixed (which I do on occasion, but I'm getting a Mark V for that)? Thanks!
07-09-06, 09:20 AM
#12
King Among Runaways
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: MKE
Posts: 4,215
Bikes: 2004 Bianchi Pista, Cannondale Track, Soma Pake, Schwinn Breeze
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by carleton
The stuff in the unmarked bottle...it's Tri-Flow.
We didn't want to tell you because we didn't want to upset you. Sorry.
We didn't want to tell you because we didn't want to upset you. Sorry.
::shakes fist::
(it's really not tri-flow though)
__________________
"I owe everyone an apology" - hyperrevue
"I owe everyone an apology" - hyperrevue
07-09-06, 11:15 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: MN
Posts: 69
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've had good luck with Phil Wood Tenacious Oil when my ACS freewheel started knocking -- It would shut it up for a while
07-09-06, 11:52 AM
#14
ec velo
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: eau claire, wi
Posts: 179
Bikes: XC: PUSS; Winter Beater: GT avalanche SS; Jump: Transition Trail or Park; Fixie: Steamroller
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by humancongereel
tri-flow smells soooooo good.
07-09-06, 12:11 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 193
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
White Industries eno is the goods
I had an ACS on mine - sounded like a rock grinder - Put a used e-bay special on it over 1K miles ago - Runs perfect. Never lubed it, clean it with a hose and simple green, It was the best $36 I spent on my Surly.
Good luck!
Good luck!
07-09-06, 02:17 PM
#16
jack of one or two trades
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Suburbia, CT
Posts: 5,640
Bikes: Old-ass gearie hardtail MTB, fix-converted Centurion LeMans commuter, SS hardtail monster MTB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by mihlbach
Are you saying this from experience or just hearsay?....I've used freewheels on BMX bikes and SS MTBs for years, relentlessly in all conditions, without ever adding much lube and have never had one fail on me, nor have any of my BMX buddies, or anyone else I know ever report a failed freewheel. ... As for the grit...you can add something to it like triflow to minimize the friction, but it can't really be eliminated without constant maintenance, and its not really necessary. Dirt and grit will always find a way in there.
07-09-06, 06:45 PM
#17
information sponge
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Little Village, Chicago, IL
Posts: 692
Bikes: Lots. Mostly steel. Mostly heavy. Mostly geared, and very low, at that.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
In Chicago, bmx freewheels seem to die at LEAST once a winter. The seals aren't good enough, the bearings aren't buried deep enough, and they just can't take the salt and ****. Personally, if I was gonna go freewheel single, I'd use a singlespeed cassette hub (which is actually what I'm doin'). Freehub mechanisms are much more sealed and durable than a cheap bmx freewheel.
__________________
Philosophy and feelings don't change the laws of physics
Philosophy and feelings don't change the laws of physics
07-09-06, 06:52 PM
#18
Slanky
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 218
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by carleton
Try applying a few drops of Tri-Flow ($6):
