Cassete vs Freewheel

[Hashir]

whats the main difference between freewheel or smth and cassette. how to identify which bike has which one by photos
which is rly better over the long term etc..

 

[Mr. Beanz]

Have had both. Can't say one is better than the other. Maybe easier to install.

Free wheel spins on via threads throughout the inside of the assembly.

Cassette slides on via locating grooves. Then locks in place with a single locking.

 

[cobbwheels]

Cassette is way more durable and weather-proof than freewheel. Also cassette does not wobble like freewheel so shifting is always perfect. Cassette is also 'future-proof' in a way.

So for long term, cassette is the only choice.

The smallest size gear on a cassette is 11 tooth or even less while on freewheel is usually 13 tooth making the difference noticeable. There' also some sort of a 'cap' over the smallest gear on a cassette and finally, a rear hub with 'quick release' skewer or 'thru-axle' is more likely to be cassette. Freewheel often uses nut.

 

[amystivens]

Cassette is way more durable and weather-proof than freewheel. Also cassette does not wobble like freewheel so shifting is always perfect. Cassette is also 'future-proof' in a way.

So for long term, cassette is the only choice.

The smallest size gear on a cassette is 11 tooth or even less while on freewheel is usually 13 tooth making the difference noticeable. There' also some sort of a 'cap' over the smallest gear on a cassette and finally, a rear hub with 'quick release' skewer or 'thru-axle' is more likely to be cassette. Freewheel often uses nut.

Thanks for the detailed explanation!

 

[Mr. Beanz]

A little mis information here. Freewheel hubs also uses quick release.

And yes cassettes wobble too.

Long term cassette? I've worn-out 4 or 5 hyper glide Shimano on my bike over the years. Ultegra grade and 105 nothing cheap. Yeah they wear out too.

 

[Mr. Beanz]

I just replaced a cassette because my 3rd cassette wore out on this bike.

 

[cobbwheels]

A little mis information here. Freewheel hubs also uses quick release.

And yes cassettes wobble too.

Long term cassette? I've worn-out 4 or 5 hyper glide Shimano on my bike over the years. Ultegra grade and 105 nothing cheap. Yeah they wear out too.

Yeah, I've seen freewheel with quick release but I've only seen these in old bikes, pre-90's era. The new bikes sold today with 7-9 speed freewheel always come with nut and tend to be dirt cheap, department store quality bikes.

My cassette hardly wears, probably because I'm on the 13T sprocket most of the time. Fortunately, the 13T sprocket on my cassette can be replaced individually without replacing the whole cassette. I get new 13T sprocket per twice replacement of chain.