furiousbob

I know I'm reviving an old thread but I've got a question about this whole Shimano vs ENO FW thing.

My Shimano right now makes a knocking noise when on the flip side and a bad clicking noise on the flop side. I've left it unused on the flop side so I don't have to hear the knocking noise. Anybody else have this problem? Will upping to an ENO benefit? I only use the FW for up/downhills and after 16 hour shifts at work.

carleton

If you don't spring for the ENO, at least get an ACS over the Shimano. I rode ACS for years on BMX bikes and a single speed with never one complaint.

V-Rock

YES, just threw one on my flop (or is it flip) side of my hub and it is a gorgeous ride. I sprung for the Eno Dos. Well worth it to get another ratio. Now I have a huge range with two freewheel cogs, one fixed cog, and two chainrings (not at the same time, both are just really easy to switch out). No more walking my bike over bridges. Love it.

It is a little noisy as some have said, but I like it. It made it so I didn't have to spring for this https://cgi.ebay.com/BIKE-PIPE-MUFFLE...QQcmdZViewItem

bonechilling

Agreed. ACS > Shimano. ENO trumps all, but considering an ACS freewheel costs like $3 on eBay, you'd have to shred a lot of freewheels to equal the cost of an ENO.

12XU

This is the kind of picture that makes me realize I don't ride my SS MTB nearly enough...

MIN 

I almost forgot about this thread. I posed the question initially but ultimately decided that it is not worth the price differential between a Shimano and WI freewheel. I prefer fixed and I have the freewheel as a backup in case I find myself bonking far from home on a hilly route.

With that said, I did run my bike as a SS for about a month and when I switched back to fixed, the difference was shocking. The fixed has instant power engagement (especially since the addition of a MKS chain tug). On the other hand, the SS freewheel requires a 20 deg rotation (at least) before the power engages. When you are sprinting through traffic, it's a very noticeable lag. An automotive comparison would be the throttle response of my Nissan 350Z (fixed) vs my Honda Civic (Shimano freewheel).

If I were using my bike as a SS exclusively, I would definitely opt for an upgraded freewheel such as the WI.

roadfix

^^^ Stick an ENO in your Honda and you'll be surprised with it's throttle response.

furiousbob

I wouldn't mind a shimano freewheel if it didn't make so much unnecessary noise. I only use my FW side for downhill/uphill training and that's like every other week. I just can't stand that noise! I might just have to invest in an ENO to make my fixie content.

How do you manage a dos on a track end? No on-the-fly gear switching? You have to switch the gear down, unscrew the 15mm nuts and re-tension right?

MIN 

Eh? My Shimano freewheel is nearly silent. Besides, the ENO would be much louder due to the larger prawls. Think Chris King freehub.

roadfix

That is correct, and it only takes a few seconds.

riderx

An ENO sounds nothing like a King hub. My fixed drivetrain probably makes more noise.

furiousbob

I had one installed, made an annoying knocking noise on the flip side and an annoying clicking noise on the flop side. Had a second one ordered by my LBS, did the same thing. I'm now considering just having the shop yank it off and forget about the hills.

roadfix

You know, you can install a larger fixed cog on the 'free' side.....that way you'll still be able to do your hills.

furiousbob

What about lockrings? If I could go fixed/fixed on a fixed/free hub, that'd be wonderful, but how??

riderx

Suicide hub. A couple of my MTBs are setup this way.

roadfix

If you're at least running a front brake and the cog is securely tightened, don't worry about it. I run fixed cogs on the free side, no lockrings, of my fixed/free hub all the time.

bonechilling

Here comes another "Suicide Hub" debate.

wroomwroomoops

My two cents: the bike I ride the most has a freewheel from a german company called Esoot. Ever heard? Neither have I (before looking at the freewheel). I got 5 of them real cheap - a bit less than a White Industries.

So, this freewheel I mentioned, has 5000 Km on it, ridden on road, gravel, dusty park paths and sand. And yet, to this day, the teeth of this freewheel are in perfect shape, and so are the pawls. I suspect it will work very whell for at least 5000 more kilometers, but even if it's only 3000 Km, I would get 8000 Km from a freewheel. Five of these give me 40.000 Km.






How many Km will the White Industries survive before you have to replace the sprocket?

Hirohsima

Yep. I run a 16/19 DOS ENO with a 45/42 front setup. The gear range is wide enough that I get a nice "climbing" gear if the hills get long or steep, and a great cruising gear. I use it on a Langster which has track ends. As a reference, the 3 tooth difference in both the front and rear allow the rear wheel position to *NOT* change when changing ratios which is good if you are running a rear brake.

furiousbob

what about double fixed cogs? It'd be neat to have two FG and two FW gears.

Edit - Found some Surly two speed cogs

https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/fixed...ts.html#dingle

Now there's the issue of the chainline. Blah this is getting too complicated.

FrenchFit 

I'll add to the angry bees comment, and one more annoying negative to the three Hiro* posted - the 36 tooth engagement system creates so much drag the cranks will actually want to spin at coast. You see this when walking the bike. I guess the amount of friction/drag is pretty minimal, but I don't like the feel of that slight back pressure coming from the drive train when I'm not stroking. Nest time I'll pick the Shimano.

mihlbach

You can buy Dicta freewheels for $6. In my experience they work just as well as Shimanos and ACS freewheels. They usually last me several thousand offroad/rain/mud/snow miles, and I don't ride lightly either. The teeth last about as long as a quality FG cog, and for me the internals have always held out just fine.

Is the WI freewheel worth it? Thats your call, but its simply not a cost effective choice. You'd have to get as much use out of 1 $80 WI freewheel as you would get out of 13.3333 Dictas.

lymbzero

There is also the option of the BMX classic.. ACS Claw which is like 25 dollars and a little nicer than a Shimano Freewheel.

But after seeing that picture of the ENO teeth, I'm thinking I'd just drop the eighty bones and enjoy the clicks.

MIN 

um yeah, this thread is 15 months old.

kander

I rode one of these on my SS. The quicker engagement feels really nice. The price is definitely worth it; the ride is great and being re-buildable is awesome.