Hi everyone!

I'm fairly new to bike maintenance and and would really appreciate some advice from those in the know before I start spending money on tools/parts for this job.

I recently purchased a used Raleigh ladies 5 speed "Alpine Sport" (mixte frame, circa mid 1980's we think) for my partner. The bike is mostly in great condition but the freewheel is periodically sticking (preventing coasting and causing the chain to come off a number of times).

After removing the rear wheel and trying to ease it up with some lube (without much success), I've realised that it needs to be replaced. There doesn't seem to be many 5 speed ones around, but this looks like it may be the correct part. Is this the thing I'm looking for?

After reading Sheldon Brown's post on the subject, it sounds like the biggest problem will be removing the old freewheel as opposed to fitting the new one. I've had a look at it and I'm guessing it needs a "Suntour 2 prong" freewheel remover? It looks to me like there are two "sockets" for the freewheel tool on it, see pics below (sorry about the poor lighting):



However, I did a google search to compare my freewheel to others, and they look quite different to me. The main hole on this one looks considerably smaller, with an inner ring which mine doesn't seem to have:

https://farm3.static.flickr.com/2303/...63d1634946.jpg

If I buy the freewheel remover, it will only get used once, so I want to make sure I'm not wasting time and money! Have I got the right freewheel tool in mind? And if not, can anyone point me in the right direction?

Thanks all.

Steve

For a one time use, take the wheel to a bike shop and have them remove the freewheel. It's not worth buying the tool for the single time you will use it.

Have you tried running some kerosene through the freewheel? The cogs don't look very worn and you might be able to get rid of whatever is gumming up the internal mechanism that way. Hold the wheel parallel to the ground wrap the hub in a rag to catch the kerosene and drip some into the place where spinning and static portions intersect. Then spin the freewheel to work the kerosene through. If that frees it up lubricate in the same location with light oil, not grease.

Or this^

I cant guess what brand you have its nothing Obvious Im Familiar with, & its different from the Sun Race one you linkeed to.

so, I'll agree, Bike Shop, take it off , with their tool.

5 speed new freewheels are available , get the remover for the one you will keep using.

Shimano has made a standard spline for freewheels adopted across Asia where all of them are made now..

the 2 notch ones had a habit of damaging tool and the notches in the F/W ,
so I'd suggest ones with a spline fitting.

Yes and most of the damage seems to be with the tool. I clamp the tool against te freewheel with the QR skewer to prevent it from slipping.

Bike shop is best but ask the oldest guy in the shop. Some of the youngsters may not have seen a freewheel. Where are you located? If in Triangle Area of North Carolina, I'd be glad to do it for you.

That's what I was going to suggest too.

Freewheel removal, while a routine task for many, contains a number of traps for the unwary.

Thanks everyone.

I'm going to take your advice and take the wheel to the shop for removal, and order the new freewheel I linked to. That should go on without a problem, right?

It should spin right on. Assuming you might want take it off again some day, grease the threads.

FW Evans has a number of shops around the UK now dont they?
I only visited the one in London.

The ON is always easy, it tigtens up with the chain pulling 1st pedal stroke,
its the OFF that becomes the problem..

I just looked at your pics again and could pick out the name Malliard. I thought most Malliards had splines. I learned something today. See here for the tool you need:

https://velobase.com/ViewTool.aspx?ID...0-742aa780b342

Good luck in finding one though. I would recommend disassembly of the freewheel in place. Once you are down to the core, you can use a pipe wrench to remove it. Destroys the FW, but you think it's a goner anyway, right?

+1 Use either the QR skewer or the axle nut depending on the hub. Those 2-prong Sun Tour pullers were particularly prone to slip if not clamped in place. Their later 4-prong version was better but still needed clamping to be reliable. Remember, you have to start backing off the nut or loosen the qr as soon as the freewheel loosens even a few degrees or you will bind the remover and possibly damage the hub.

Thanks very much for the offer, but I'm based in London, UK

I knew something didn't look right. So glad I asked you guys before buying that Suntour tool!

So how would I go about disassembling the freewheel in situ? That a difficult job? That is, assuming my LBS doesn't have one of these super rare Malliard tools lying around - which is probably quite likely!

you can usually put a 6 speed freewheel on a wheel originally intended for 5 speeds, it might take a bit of re-dishing of the wheel. my old formerly-5-speed stumpjumper is now a 7 speed...

If you can find one of the relativley rare Sun Tour Ultra-6 freewheels you can install it on a 5-speed wheel (120 mm OLD) with no other changes.

I'm with the every one else here if you don't have the tool for this take it to a shop. I have 50 plus removal tools in my collecttion and I often need help from shops. Good news a lot of shops will bust the old one for free or cheap if you buy a basic replacement or better for $10-15 buck full shop price.

A little magnification and enhancement of the OP's photo shows it to be a Maillard freewheel:



Sutherland's suggests that the Regina 2-prong remover should work.

Actually, I think the Sun Tour tool is the one to use-
Look at the link-
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...BMKSHEA7BMMSHW

Drat- I was looking while John was posting!

I don't think the freewheel you're referring to is such a great alternative to the 4 prong. If you really want something "modern" get a Shimano splined. I prefer them to the 2 or 4 prong "who-knows-who-made-it" freewheels.

Nice peace this one will work with a type 2 Milliard but not much else get with the times and junk all of the old Milly stuff

Thanks all. With all this tool confusion I'm definitely gonna take the wheel to my LBS for removal.

I've just reserved this for collection:
https://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165540

I take it this is the standard Shimano splined type?

That looks like it.. get a new chain too, 5,6,7,8 speed are the same thing, functionally.