Idiot seeks advice on questions you've already answered
 

After many years of riding bicycles but not knowing much about bike mechanics, I'm trying to learn more about the subject. I bought a chain wear indicator and have discovered I need to replace the chain on my Voyageur 11.8. Since the freewheel is original to the bike, I assume it also needs to replaced. Here are some questions:

1). Any recommendations on replacement parts?

2). What makes one freewheel better than another?

3). If you're replacing a freewheel, do you also need to consider replacing the chain rings/crankset?

Thank you.

You're not an idiot, but perhaps unwise in jumping into buying tools. Unfortunately you've already wasted some cash buying a chain wear indicator when a ruler is more accurate and cheaper, but:

1. Any 5-6 speed freewheel of the ratios you need is probably fine, though you need to make sure you have enough room for a 6 speed between the hub and frame. Generally Shimano is the most available and best regarded, Sunrace is probably next, Falcon lowest in overall quality..
2. Mostly looks and weight, neither of which is critical if you are on a budget, so don't worry about it - get a name brand at the price you want to pay.
3. Not unless the chainwheel(s) are really pointy or have a shark's fin profile. Just ride and see how it goes.

Need to get a chain labeled 6-8 speeds.

I like Shimano freewheels and KMC chains.

"buying a chain wear indicator when a ruler is more accurate and cheaper" Simply wrong. Sheldon's ruler trick way too vague.. if your running something above the 'junk class'.

"Any 5-6 speed freewheel of the ratios you need is probably fine". Begs the Q: which one is the OP riding now and are they satisfied with that gearing? 5's suck... the jump between 14-17 is too wide.. unless your dawdling along always.

The fact that a wear indicator is not "vague" does not make it accurate. Unless you shell out a significant amount using a chain wear indicator is no better than replacing the chain according to how many miles are on it. Until someone does an evaluation of just how well the indicator results correlate to wear I will stand by my statement, which is supported by a good bit of technical analysis, such as this: http://pardo.net/bike/pic/fail-004/000.html. It becomes more critical when you are using higher quality/ cost chains, as the true cost is that of replacing chains before needed.

I am not alone in finding that most commercial chain wear indicators are woefully inaccurate. I have even tried them on several brand new chains, and they have registered significant wear. A quality 12" steel ruler aligned with the pins is a much more accurate way to gauge chain wear. Nothing vague about lining up your targets.

Thanks for your input. Can you explain what about these products makes you prefer them over others?

Thanks for replying. Regarding the chain wear indicator, I'm trying to decide whether I want to invest in buying bicycle tools or simply relying on a LBS for repair and replacement. It seems that once you buy one tool, you soon discover you need another, and so on. I'm nervous about going down the path of self repair only to find that I'll get in over my head and wind up doing injury to my bike or myself by undertaking things I don't really understand.

The Voyageur came with a six speed freewheel, and I'm trying to decide whether to go with that, or get a seven speed, or maybe a megarange six speed. Any thoughts?

Can you direct me to a link or video that explains how to do chain wear measurement with a ruler?

I've currently got a six speed freewheel. I like it, but I would like more options for hill climbing. What do you think about getting a megarange freewheel?

Figure out what gears you use (count tooth numbers) front makes rear rotate by a ratio of those tooth count numbers.

then you will have a better idea of how much the change will matter.


Basic math is not an opinion. ;) but..

personally I like the sequence ... 20,24,28 34. better than the 24, 34_10t jump that is a mega range characteristic combination.

Shimano parts tend to be the best bang for the buck, they work well, have a decent price point and are dependable usually (there's always duds in everything.)

If I'm replacing a freewheel I will at least replace the chain as well, and ideally the chainrings as well this can add up quite quickly on a simple overhaul job but it can be quite worth it with how smooth the drivetrain can be become.

Megarange is great for hills, if your RD can handle the large cog.

Chain Maintenance

A megarange will require a different derailleur, as it has to be capable of handling the larger rear cog and wrapping more chain. We can't tell you if you need a megarange - depends on terrain, load and fitness.

Seven speed may not fit into your bike so that you have enough room between small cog and dropout.

Yeah, I was looking at the Megarange for hills, but I don't know whether the RD can work on a larger cog. The RD is a Shimano Altus LT that was original to the bike. How does one determine the capabilities of such a derailleur?

There's a couple ways to go about it, one you can look up your specific models tech specs I think I recall that one maxing out at 28 teeth or so.. I could definitely be wrong as I don't run Altus. But the simpler method is to see if your RD is short, medium, or long cage. A long cage RD can handle just about any tooth count you can throw at it.

He's right it "may not" but it most likely will, standard spacing for both 6 and 7 is 126mm.

KMC seems to be of equal quality to the other brands, and it costs less. It also comes with a nice master link, which adds convenience, compared with Shimano chains.

Shimano freewheels just seem to be the best-made freewheels these days, and the prices are reasonable.

As I noted above the megarange will require a different derailleur. Your derailleur's capacity is 28 teeth. VeloBase.com - Component: Shimano RD-AT12, ALTUS LT. There are ways to push capacity a little, but not by that much.

Wow my memory did work right! And it looks like you've got this guy covered.

Thanks to all for sharing your knowledge. I am now a little less of an idiot. With your continued help, I'll soon graduate to "well-intentioned doofus with a cone wrench"

Just a DIYer here, but I find that Shimano style freewheel spline works best for install and more importantly removal. I don't know what brands (other than Shimano of course) use that standard.

scott s.
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Don't use the tool to install a freewheel. Just screw it on gently.