Eric.M

joeruge

Are we really talking 'freewheel,' or are we perhaps talking a cluster? If it's freewheel:

Unless I'm missing it, you're not clear about which part is damaged. I'm guessing its the threads on the hub, since those are aluminum and the freewheel body is steel. You don't say how badly the threads are boogered up.

There might be a shop nearby who will be able to chase the threads with a die. However, having said that, if you unscrewed the freewheel to get it off, how bad is it, really?

And if they tried to pry it off hard enough to damage threads, I would also suspect a cog or two on the freewheel might be bent, no?

Easy enough to replace a freewheel, but if the hub is damaged, why not scrap the wheel and move into the modern era. Get a new wheel with a 'freehub' with the proper spacing that takes a 'cluster?'

If it is already a freehub situation, and the threads that the locking screws into are messed up, I'm guessing a shop would have a tap for this and could probably do a repair.

VegasTriker

The correct name for the part where the freewheel mounts is the hub. The rim is the part where you mount the tire. Here's a picture of the two designs (freewheel/cassette) so you can see the difference. Most newer bikes use the freehub with the exception of some inexpensive bikes. I doubt the owner damaged the threads prying off the freewheel but cross threading the freewheel and damaging the threads on the hub is far more likely. If you can't thread a new freewheel onto the hub straight then the hub is toast. I doubt bike shop will have a tool to fix the threads though there is a solution here: chasing a freewheel thread plus axle question If you do it carefully you may be able to salvage the hub.