just bought a set of weinmann deep v's on CL and the guy i botught them from told me that they were flip flop hubs fixed/free. i go to put on my freewheel and both sides have stepped threading. i thought stepped threading was only the fixed side? he swears they are fixed/free but to me they look fixed/fixed. can i put a freewheel on stepped threads? how would i tell which side is which if it is fixed/free?

stepped threads means it's fixed
so it's fixed on both sides.

you can still install a freewheel on both sides, no big deal.

will it be a problem that there's only a small amount of threads for the freewheel?

Sell the wheelset and buy a set designed for freewheel use. You run less of a risk of destroying the hub if you use the proper equipment.

that's what i'm going to do. just hope he'll give me my money back.

Wrong.

This is so wrong it's not even funny. Please stop posting on this forum. Fixed threads will take freewheels no problem. It engages less threads but is is *not* a problem if properly tightened on.

You don't need to do this. 100% money back guarantee. Don't listen to post #4.

I'm with Deshi.

Not saying that your bike will explode. But, I'd like to use things for the purpose for which they were designed.

Try to return the wheel or if not, maybe trade with someone. There are plenty of people who have fixed/free that never use the free side.

you will never have a single problem using a freewheel on it.

Well excuse me for trying to use the proper equipment for my intended use....You say im wrong yet I never said not to do it. I simply stated he ran LESS of a risk in using proper equipment. Do as you wish but I still suggest to use the right parts.

think about it

fixed cog works with less threads than freewheel

Some food for thought:

Harris Cyclery Flip-Flop Track Hubs!

Harris Cyclery Exclusive!

Versatile Fixed/Fixed Flip-Flop model

These hubs can be used with:

• Two fixed sprockets
• Fixed on one side, freewheel on the other
• or even with two freewheels.

Standard track 42 mm chainline to fit most track frames and many road bike conversions.
Designed with a look reminiscent of the classic high-flange Campagnolo Nuovo Record, with milled flanges with lightening holes.
These hub sets have solid axles with good track nuts,
large serrated locknuts to keep them from slipping.
Smoooooth sealed cartridge bearings, 32 or 36 hole drillings.
Does not include lock ring for fixed gear cogs (but if you leave the lockring off, you can install singlespeed freewheels on one or both sides.)
* 100 mm Front, 120 mm rear spacing
Click here for specs on Harris/Formula front hub
Click here for specs on Harris/Formula rear hub

Absolutely no issue with running a freewheel on a fixed threaded hub. My LBS recommends fixed-fixed irregardless because they're more flexible- you can run two cogs, one of each, or two freewheels. It will absolutely not fail if you put the freewheel on right, which is hard to mess up- just thread it on straight.

+1. Threading a freewheel onto a track hub is totally fine. The freewheel will engage exactly as many threads a a fixed cog. If its good enough for the fixed cog, its good enough for the freewheel. If fact, a freewheel installed into a track hub is less prone to damage/failure than a track cog because it is simpler to install and has no chance of loosening. The freewheel will tighten as you pedal and as long as it is not cross threaded, there is not a chance of it unloosening or stripping.

irregardless, lol

Lets get the facts straight....you suggested he buy a new wheelset over installing a freewheel onto a track hub. You clearly were suggesting that he should not run a freewheel on fixed threads. The suggestion of buying a new wheelset is absurd. Using a BMX freewheel on a track hub is as "proper" as using a track cog. They both are the same thread-size and, given the same number of teeth, exert the same amount of torque on the wheel. There's nothing magical about a freewheel that makes it more prone to stripping threads. In fact, a fixed setup is more prone to stripping threads than a freewheel due to the possibility of repeated tightening-loosening.

OK, in all fairness to the naysayers, there are some cases when the hub flange is too close to the end of the treads on a fixed hub, such that a freewheel body will hit the outboard spokes. There was a case reported in a previous thread of this problem with a Dura Ace low flange track hub and a flip/flop fixed/fixed track wheel I recently puchased is like this. Hubs like the Harris/Formula are designed with sufficient clearance that a freewheel will work safely and properly.

HMM, I have never heard of that occurring, but I think the vast majority of track hubs out there, particularly high flange hubs, have sufficient space between the flange and the shoulder of the hub that will not be a concern. What hub came with your wheel?

Even though I do it I wouldn't advise you to put a freewheel on a stepped hub because it wasn't designed for that purpose so naturally catastrophic failure may result. Also don't ever run in walking shoes whether trying to catch a bus or rushing to get somewhere... they weren't designed for running so you may blow out a knee or ankle. I sure hope you don't ride with anything but cycling shoes either... any other shoes won't work reliably because they weren't designed for cycling. Better safe than sorry.

I would like to hear you explain exactly what sort of catastrophic failure may occur.

The most catastrophic would be the failure to recognize sarcasm.

It's a "Milwaukee Bicycle Company" hub and generic CF rim I got from Ben's Cycle. 28 hole 3x J bend Wheelsmith round spokes.

first off thanks to everyone for the help. this is the freewheel i have. Just wanted to throw that out there because the initial reason for the post was that it seemed a little fat to be adequately supported by the smaller amount of threads on the fixed side(if that makes sense). Apparently this is not the case as you guys have pointed out.

lol, he got you milbach

hah, I didn't catch that until you pointed it out.

i think i'm going to have to steal that one, irregardless of what you think