Flatballer

I've got a bit of a problem.

The freehub on my wheel is starting to go bad. The wheel is a Forte Titan Deep rear wheel, and from what I've figured out it's a Formula hub. I have no idea where to find a replacement freehub for this. My bike shop says he hasn't had one in stock for 5 years. Performance Bike (it's their wheel) doesn't seem to know where to find one. My normal bike shop can't order one because he doesn't have anyone to order it from.

The only phone number listed for them is in Taiwan, and their e-mail address is just a marketing e-mail. I doubt Formula will be much help.

Does anyone have any ideas on where to buy a formula freehub body? If I can't find one I guess I'll just ride this one until it detonates. After that I might buy a whole new rear hub, take the wheel apart, and re-build it around a new hub. It would be a good learning experience for me.

Or I might just give up on the whole wheel, it's a pretty cheap wheel ($120 right now) with about 2600 miles on it so far.

Ideas? Where to buy Formula freehub body? Does anyone have one laying around I can buy?

I'm planning on a new wheelset next summer. I don't really have the money right now.

Thanks.

Edit: it's a 20 spoke rear. I'm having trouble even finding a 20 hole rear hub that I could use to rebuild it if I went that direction.

This is the only 20 spoke rear I've been able to find. https://cgi.ebay.com/RITCHEY-PRO-Road...14131006r34069

Any opinions on Ritchey Pro hubs? It's only about $35 shipped.

Machka 

Get a whole different hub! Do not replace your Formula hub with another Formula hub!!

Most bicycles shops should be able to get ahold of one for you ... a shop in Hobart, Tasmania had one in stock but told me that if they didn't they could order one from Melbourne. Apparently I could order one in from Edmonton, AB too. They are around ... but I wouldn't recommend going that route.

And as for ... "if I can't find one I guess I'll just ride this one until it detonates" ... don't plan on riding any long distances out in the middle of nowhere. Not unless you like walking.

I've got two laying around ... but you probably don't want either of them.

Flatballer

My mechanic said I would have a little bit of warning before it blows up. It will start skipping and bouncing the chain around. At some point after that it will seize and try to rip my derailleur off of the frame.

I don't know exactly how many miles that will be. Hopefully it will last another 5000 miles and I can retire the wheelset. I doubt it, but I can hope can't I?

Machka 

Mine started with a clicking noise for some time ... like 1500 kms ... and then all of a sudden, without any warning at all, it froze (the pawls froze). When it froze, I could pedal like mad but there was no engagement ... as though the chain had fallen off. So I could coast, but pedalling was pointless.

The chain did not skip and bounce, and the derailleur was not ripped off. It just simply froze with no warning at all.

The second time, with my second Formula hub, the clicking started, and it clicked for about 800-1000 kms before I took it in, and the pawls were on their way to freezing again.

That time I changed wheels.

Flatballer

Hmm. Well, I guess when it goes I'll just get a ride. Hopefully I'm not a long way out. If I'm on a group ride get a push to the nearest town and wait there for a ride.

I can't really afford wheels right now, at least not the wheels I want. Maybe I'll just buy a cheap bombproof wheelset for training and then hopefully be able to afford some nice race wheels with a powertap next summer. That would mean I'd have to race on crappy wheels for most of the season, but if WR can do it, so can I.

Machka 

I picked up a wheel for about $100, and have done a lot of riding on it. At some point I'd like a better wheel too, but it'll do for now. At least the freehub should last longer than a Formula one.

Is yours clicking regularly? That was the tell-tale sign for me ... a mystery click.

Psimet2001 

Uh....hate to point this out, but most of the time replacement freehub bodies cost int he $40-$60 range. You can usually buy a new Forte Titan rear wheel for something like $69.

Also....definitely not worth rebuilding....for the $$ it would be cheaper just to get a new wheel.

Machka 

My replacement Formula hub in Hobart was $75 (Australia dollars). It would have been about that here in Canada too ... so when I was given the option to get another new Formula hub or buy a new wheel for $100 ... I went with the wheel.