Hi all

I feel like i've been starting to get a little burnt out on FG riding, and want to go back to SS for a bit.

I currently have an ACS Crossfire freewheel that probably has about 1000 miles on it or so.

when pushing the bike it catches and rotates the cranks, and it has a good bit of side to side play.

I was just going to move it from my old wheels to my new wheels, but need a $25 tool to do that, so I was just thinking about buying a new freewheel with the normal 4 prong removal system and wanted something a little bit better quality.


I know white industries is the king, but any other brands I should look out for for a high performance bike?

I'm also super tempted by the WI double freewheel, with two cogs on it, but it can't take 1/8th chains.

Preferably 18 or 19t

FWIW, I have three WI freewheels, two 17's and a 19. The 19t rotates the cranks when rolling but neither of the 17t ones do. No idea why. All of them have been cleaned and lubed with tri-flow. Also, WI freewheels all have a very small amount of side-to-side play, seems weird, but all three of mine have it. To answer your question, White Industries is the way to go, IMO.

The double-ended ACS freewheel tool is the cats pajamas. It works perfect on ACS, Shimano, and White Industries freewheels and doesn't require a separate wrench or vice to use.

yeah, thats kinda where i'm stuck, I could just buy a tool or take it to the shop to get my current freewheel removed, but its actually cheaper to buy a replacement one, so I figured I may just upgrade. ( i already have the 4 pronged tool )

I love my 48/19 ratio, its pretty do everything, but have been thinking about maybe an 18t for a little more speed.

Bearings are OK? How much wiggle are we talking about here?

1mm maybe? not much. All three of mine are the same way. Bearings are all good. Weird, I know.

IRD makes a nice sealed bearing freewheel too, but I doubt getting service parts is as easy as with WI.

IRD Single Speed Freewheel

Thanks. Yeah, seems odd.

I'm in the same boat. I have the $20 Shimano on right now. Its making a lot of noise! Rode to work this morning and it was all "crunchy" sounding. Me thinks I'm gonna spring for a WI from Retro before the end of the month.

As I understand it, WI are serviceable, right?

^yep, pretty easily, too.

Yeah, that's worth $90. I ride almost year 'round and I think the crud is (or has already) destroying the Shimano. If I spend another $10 I get free shipping! I could use another sticker pack to decorate the Kilo...

Yeah, if you ride in really crappy conditions they can't be beat.

Another vote for WI freewheels. I service them when my rear-tire needs replacing. Super easy. Ride 42x16.

To clarify, the play is axial, not radial.

You mean side to side, right ? Anyways, I have a 19T WI Eno fw, and the sideplay on mine is negligible. All sealed cartridge bearings have some play in them, since they are not adjustable to prevent binding.

I don't think the play is in the bearing cartridge. I think the cog body 'floats' just a little between the driver body and the lockring.

Freewheel "wobble" is a result of the freewheel body not being perfectly co-axial with the hub. This could either mean the freewheel itself is slightly off-axis, or that the freewheel threads on the hub were cut off-axis. In any case, it's not a functional problem.