where can I get a front freewheel?
 

Like this:
http://www.sickbikeparts.com/catalog...drd3u1qtn2v7o3
Or this:
http://www.sickbikeparts.com/catalog...drd3u1qtn2v7o3

My bike has the first one, but I need a replacement and I'm trying to find out what my options are for upgrades and/or better pricing.

When I was a kid we used to save money by carving them out of wood. Be sure to use something like oak or mahogany, walnut is too expensive. Stay away from pine, that stuff disintegrates at 40 mph.

You provided links to a site where you can buy them. What more do you need?

Shops that sell trials bikes should be able to hook you up. Front freewheel is the only way to go.

Well the first link is the exact same one I already have:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=289767
...which cracked a tooth and smashed a pawl, seizing my pedals while I was riding in the rain. So I'd like to try something else in the hopes of it lasting longer, but the second link is $70, which is a lot of money.

So I'm looking for other options...I'm also not opposed to converting this bike to a fixed gear, but I'm not sure where to get a crank with a 67mm BCD and I don't want to have to fabricate my own parts.

The difference between a Dicta FW + a White Industries FW is night and day.

FYI I found this 24 page thread on front freewheels:
http://endless-sphere.com/forums/vie...hp?f=28&t=7641
, which mentioned these "ACS Crossfire" freewheels:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=289790
http://www.ebay.com/sch/bikemotive/m..._sop=12&_rdc=1

Cheaper than the dicta and look nicer too: sealed bearings (the dicta is loose ball) with both threaded and unthreaded chainring bolt holes.
...but I'm not 100% sure it is compatible like the other two.

If you shell out the money for a White Industries freewheel, you'll never need to buy another one.

Quality costs money.

and then you will need to buy their tool to remove it

I don't think so...the slots seem to line up with the 4 hole spline (ie "north, south, east, west"), just that there are more of them. Or am I wrong?

Is this the standard design for ACS freewheels and do they require a proprietary tool?

And if I wanted it to last forever I would do that, but at some point in the future I might want to convert to a rear freewheel or fixed gear or else sell the bike altogether.

I think just their Crossfire freewheels are like that. It has been a while since I removed mine so i dont quite remember fit issue with a standard four prong tool.

Considering there are no teeth to wear out, unlike a rear freewheel, this is absolutely true.

The Crossfire freewheel needs it's own freewheel remover, as a standard 4prong doesn't work.

Well it's obvious from the picture that the prongs line up...so are you saying that the prongs have a different width/length?

Besides, why can't I just stick it in a vice? That's how I was planning to get the old one off because I don't have the 4-prong tool either.

Uhh, wait a minute...I just pulled up a pic of the standard ACS Crossfire freewheel and the spline pattern doesn't match this "custom" front bolt-on version being sold on ebay:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=289790
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=289875
http://www.acsbmx.com/crossfire.html#fw

You're right. It doesn't. Crossfire spline is probably patented.

But the pictured freewheel IS manufactured by ACS:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=289885

Indeed. It's a mystery!