Freewheel/Hub Thread Compatibility
09-15-10 | 11:38 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque NM
Bikes: 2003 Colnago Asso 1982(?) Guerciotti
Freewheel/Hub Thread Compatibility
I know this has been discussed before, but couldn't find any threads using Search.
Anyway, I do believe one can mount an Italian threaded freewheel onto an English threaded hub without any trouble, but are there any downsides to do this? I seem to recall that you would not want to repeatability do this, but once is OK.
Anyway, I do believe one can mount an Italian threaded freewheel onto an English threaded hub without any trouble, but are there any downsides to do this? I seem to recall that you would not want to repeatability do this, but once is OK.
09-15-10 | 11:53 AM
#2
rain dog
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 776
Likes: 13
From: Northern PA
Once again, sheldon to the rescue:
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/freewheels.html
All recent freewheels and threaded hubs, regardless of where made, use ISO threading. The older British and Italian standards use the same thread pitch but a very slightly different thread diameter, and are generally interchangeable. However, for strong riders and on tandems, it is best not to mix and match -- freewheels sometimes do strip the threads of aluminium hubs. A French freewheel may start to thread onto an ISO/British/Italian hub but will soon bind. An ISO/British/Italian freewheel will skim the top of the threads of a French hub and will slip forward if an attempt is made to use it. Do not force a freewheel -- you will ruin the hub.
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/freewheels.html
All recent freewheels and threaded hubs, regardless of where made, use ISO threading. The older British and Italian standards use the same thread pitch but a very slightly different thread diameter, and are generally interchangeable. However, for strong riders and on tandems, it is best not to mix and match -- freewheels sometimes do strip the threads of aluminium hubs. A French freewheel may start to thread onto an ISO/British/Italian hub but will soon bind. An ISO/British/Italian freewheel will skim the top of the threads of a French hub and will slip forward if an attempt is made to use it. Do not force a freewheel -- you will ruin the hub.
