Replacing Rear Cassette

[Great Eastern]

Hello All,

I've a "standard" bike with a 6 speed rear casette, however the smallest
cog on the cassette has somehow broken free from the rest (i.e if I
pedal in that gear the chain turns it freely without moving the rest!

Is this an easy task to do? I've managed other repairs in the past like
new chains, brakes etc, or would an appointment at LBS be better?

Many thanks

 

[Tony Raven]

Great Eastern wrote on 25/12/2006 19:11 +0100:
> Hello All,
>
> I've a "standard" bike with a 6 speed rear casette, however the smallest
> cog on the cassette has somehow broken free from the rest (i.e if I
> pedal in that gear the chain turns it freely without moving the rest!
>
> Is this an easy task to do? I've managed other repairs in the past like
> new chains, brakes etc, or would an appointment at LBS be better?
>
> Many thanks

Fairly easy if you have access to a vice - its likely to be pretty
firmly on if you haven't taken it off since new. A six speed is almost
certainly a freewheel type. You need to buy a freewheel remover of the
right type to fit the splines or pins of the freewheel. Clamp it in the
vice. Mount the freewheel onto it then push down hard and tug on the
rim of the wheel until it breaks free. It may need some grunt and its
easier done with the tyre on than off. Clean and grease the threads on
the hub (and service the bearings while you are at it) then screw on a
new freewheel.

Alternatively take it to the local bike shop and ask them to change it -
its a few minutes with the right tools.

--
Tony

"...has many omissions and contains much that is apocryphal, or at least
wildly inaccurate..."
Douglas Adams; The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

 

[Nigel Cliffe]

Tony Raven wrote:
> Great Eastern wrote on 25/12/2006 19:11 +0100:
>> Hello All,
>>
>> I've a "standard" bike with a 6 speed rear casette, however the
>> smallest cog on the cassette has somehow broken free from the rest
>> (i.e if I pedal in that gear the chain turns it freely without
>> moving the rest! Is this an easy task to do? I've managed other repairs
>> in the past
>> like new chains, brakes etc, or would an appointment at LBS be
>> better? Many thanks
>
> Fairly easy if you have access to a vice - its likely to be pretty
> firmly on if you haven't taken it off since new. A six speed is
> almost certainly a freewheel type. You need to buy a freewheel
> remover of the right type to fit the splines or pins of the
> freewheel. Clamp it in the vice. Mount the freewheel onto it then
> push down hard and tug on the rim of the wheel until it breaks free. It
> may need some grunt and its easier done with the tyre on than off.

Minor variation which I've found useful;

Put the freewheel remover in a ring spanner or socket on a wrench, and then
hold the spanner's arm in the vice. I don't know why, but I found this
worked better; perhaps the vice I was using had less than perfect jaw
alignment, and the spanner was a better holder of the hexagonal freewheel
remover.


If the remover is of the two or four lumps type (typically Suntour, but
includes others), these have a habit of jumping out of their engagement in
the freewheel. Solve this by using the quick release skewer to hold the
remover lightly against the freewheel (if there is enough movement for it to
rattle, you have it about right). Once the remover has nudged the freewheel
round a little, slacken the skewer. The splined types (eg. Shimano and
others) don't have this problem.




> Clean and grease the threads on the hub (and service the bearings
> while you are at it) then screw on a new freewheel.
>
> Alternatively take it to the local bike shop and ask them to change
> it - its a few minutes with the right tools.

And, if its a friendly local bike shop, possible free removal with purchase
of new freewheel and chain required to complete the repair.
You don't need the removal tool to refit the freewheel, it just screws on by
hand, and the first gentle ride tightens it up. Therefore, you can leave
the bike shop with wheel-sans-freewheel, plus bits to repair, and retire
home to service the bearings.


- Nigel




--
Nigel Cliffe,
Webmaster at http://www.2mm.org.uk/

 

[dave kennedy]

Or consult a more experienced member of this group - let us know where you
are and I'm sure someone will have a look at it for you (probably at no
cost).

"Great Eastern" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hello All,
>
> I've a "standard" bike with a 6 speed rear casette, however the smallest
> cog on the cassette has somehow broken free from the rest (i.e if I
> pedal in that gear the chain turns it freely without moving the rest!
>
> Is this an easy task to do? I've managed other repairs in the past like
> new chains, brakes etc, or would an appointment at LBS be better?
>
> Many thanks

 

[Great Eastern]

Nigel Cliffe wrote:
> And, if its a friendly local bike shop, possible free removal with purchase
> of new freewheel and chain required to complete the repair.

Not from my local. Whilst they are good enough for repair etc, it is
impossible even to purchase a chain from them on its own.

We needed a new chain once before and they refused to sell it, unless
the bike was booked in for repair. Eventually had to go out of town to
the Halfords to get the part to save a trip to another town.

I believe our LBS is owned by the one in Lowestoft, its not the same as
when it was owned locally, and other once in the town shut.

 

[A.Lee]

Great Eastern <[email protected]> wrote:

> Nigel Cliffe wrote:
> > And, if its a friendly local bike shop, possible free removal with purchase
> > of new freewheel and chain required to complete the repair.
.....
> We needed a new chain once before and they refused to sell it, unless
> the bike was booked in for repair.

Thats comical, a bike shop not selling parts.
Last week a LBS tried to charge me nearly double the price I usually pay
for a chain, I wont even bother going in there again with their pricing,
and general attitude of "thats what they cost", even though it is easily
available at half the price eleswhere.
I wonder why the mail order businesses are doing so well?
Alan.
--
To reply by e-mail, change the ' + ' to 'plus'.

 

[Nigel Cliffe]

Great Eastern wrote:
> Nigel Cliffe wrote:
>> And, if its a friendly local bike shop, possible free removal with
>> purchase of new freewheel and chain required to complete the repair.
>
> Not from my local. Whilst they are good enough for repair etc, it is
> impossible even to purchase a chain from them on its own.

I would classify them as a "not friendly local bike shop". If I felt in a
good mood, I might ask if they thought not selling a chain to someone was an
encouragement to shop on-line. If in a bad mood, I'd stop shopping there.

In general, I don't need the bike shop to carry out repairs, I do my own, I
need it to supply parts.

I could see that they may have a tiny point if they have sold bits to people
who then bugger them up, then come back for "free" support. But, I'd expect
to solve that with a conversation.



> We needed a new chain once before and they refused to sell it, unless
> the bike was booked in for repair. Eventually had to go out of town to
> the Halfords to get the part to save a trip to another town.
>
> I believe our LBS is owned by the one in Lowestoft, its not the same
> as when it was owned locally, and other once in the town shut.




- Nigel


--
Nigel Cliffe,
Webmaster at http://www.2mm.org.uk/

 

[Great Eastern]

Nigel Cliffe wrote:
> an
> encouragement to shop on-line.

Do you/anyone have suggests as to who is good for purchasing online from?

> In general, I don't need the bike shop to carry out repairs, I do my own

I'm getting that way, I do most regular tasks now, brakes, chains,
wheels etc, however removing the rear cassette is something I've never
attempted before, and tinkering with an old derelict wheel I have
yesterday, it seems a little tricky.

> I could see that they may have a tiny point if they have sold bits to people
> who then bugger them up, then come back for "free" support. But, I'd expect
> to solve that with a conversation.

About 7-8 years ago I worked in a local computer shop (before the PC
World type business model really flattened the locals) and whilst we
offered full service, we also offered individual parts for those who
wanted to do it themselves - I'm sure this gained more business than
simply using the "we do it or you can go to hell" approach as adopted by
the LBS.

 

[Great Eastern]

Tony Raven wrote:
> You need to buy a freewheel remover of the
> right type to fit the splines or pins of the freewheel.

How would I go about finding out which type I need.

I've found a cassette remover for sale which claims to be universal, I
assume this is something extra?

 

[Tony Raven]

Great Eastern wrote on 26/12/2006 15:14 +0100:
> Nigel Cliffe wrote:
>> an encouragement to shop on-line.
>
> Do you/anyone have suggests as to who is good for purchasing online from?
>

General favourites are Chain Reaction (exceptionally good), Wiggle and
Parker International.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com
http://www.wiggle.co.uk
http://www.parker-international.co.uk/

--
Tony

"...has many omissions and contains much that is apocryphal, or at least
wildly inaccurate..."
Douglas Adams; The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

 

[Tony Raven]

Great Eastern wrote on 26/12/2006 15:17 +0100:
> Tony Raven wrote:
>> You need to buy a freewheel remover of the right type to fit the
>> splines or pins of the freewheel.
>
> How would I go about finding out which type I need.
>
> I've found a cassette remover for sale which claims to be universal, I
> assume this is something extra?

Freewheels and cassettes are not the same thing so a Universal cassette
remover(to remove the lockring that holds the cassette on) is not
necessarily the same as a freewheel remover which removes the whole body.

Have a look to see if there is a manufacturer's name on the freewheel as
a starting hint. If you get really stuck post a picture on flickr of
the end of the freewheel (where the axle pokes out) and link here so we
can have a look at it. Sheldon Brown explains the differences and gives
some pictures of different removal tool types
http://sheldonbrown.com/freewheels.html

--
Tony

"...has many omissions and contains much that is apocryphal, or at least
wildly inaccurate..."
Douglas Adams; The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

 

[Sandy Morton]

In article <1hqyha2.1n6og6z194d33aN%alan@darkroom.+.com>,
A.Lee <alan@darkroom.+.com> wrote:
> I wonder why the mail order businesses are doing so well?

Staff don't get annoyed by difficult customers and pleasant customers
don't get annoyed by difficult staff.

--
T h e - e x t e n d e r ! ! ! !

 

[Rob Morley]

In article <[email protected]>
Great Eastern <[email protected]> wrote:
> Nigel Cliffe wrote:
> > And, if its a friendly local bike shop, possible free removal with purchase
> > of new freewheel and chain required to complete the repair.
>
> Not from my local. Whilst they are good enough for repair etc, it is
> impossible even to purchase a chain from them on its own.
>
> We needed a new chain once before and they refused to sell it, unless
> the bike was booked in for repair. Eventually had to go out of town to
> the Halfords to get the part to save a trip to another town.
>
Is it a regular bike shop or is it more of a "bicycle doctor" type
place? Even if it's the latter I think they're a bit silly not to offer
parts, possibly at premium prices, if there's no other outlet in town.
I suppose there is some argument in favour of not offering a supply-only
service - there's quite a lot of scope for messing up bike repairs,
which often seem to require more skill than Joe Public can muster, and
supply-and-fit eliminates some of the hassle that numpties might
otherwise create.

 

[Tony Raven]

Rob Morley wrote on 26/12/2006 17:46 +0100:
>
> Is it a regular bike shop or is it more of a "bicycle doctor" type
> place? Even if it's the latter I think they're a bit silly not to offer
> parts, possibly at premium prices, if there's no other outlet in town.
> I suppose there is some argument in favour of not offering a supply-only
> service - there's quite a lot of scope for messing up bike repairs,
> which often seem to require more skill than Joe Public can muster, and
> supply-and-fit eliminates some of the hassle that numpties might
> otherwise create.

My experience is more one of the numpties in the bike shop making a mess
of it. Its easy enough for Joe Pubic to order the parts on-line so if
that's their strategy they are going to be throwing away income.

--
Tony

"...has many omissions and contains much that is apocryphal, or at least
wildly inaccurate..."
Douglas Adams; The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

 

[Great Eastern]

Tony Raven wrote:
> Have a look to see if there is a manufacturer's name on the freewheel as
> a starting hint.

I've had a quick look, although its dark in the garage and with the
wheel still currently on the bike, but it appears to have the words
Sunway Group Co on it, there may be some other markings, but I cant read
those without giving it a good clean and better light!

 

[Sheldon Brown]

One of Brunel's greatest works wrote:

> I've a "standard" bike with a 6 speed rear casette, however the smallest
> cog on the cassette has somehow broken free from the rest (i.e if I
> pedal in that gear the chain turns it freely without moving the rest!

Very unlikely it uses a cassette, 6-speed cassette hubs are quite
uncommon.

See: http://sheldonbrown.com/free-k7 for an illustrated explanation of
the difference.

St John Street Cycles is a good UK supplier.

Sheldon "http://sheldonbrown.com/freewheels" Brown
+------------------------------------------------+
| Love at its best means marriage, and it is |
| altogether the most beautiful thing in life |
| -- William Dean Howells |
+------------------------------------------------+
Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts
Phone 617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041
http://harriscyclery.com
Hard-to-find parts shipped Worldwide
http://captainbike.com http://sheldonbrown.com

 

[Al C-F]

Tony Raven wrote:
> Great Eastern wrote on 26/12/2006 15:14 +0100:
>
>> Nigel Cliffe wrote:
>>
>>> an encouragement to shop on-line.
>>
>>
>> Do you/anyone have suggests as to who is good for purchasing online from?
>>
>
> General favourites are Chain Reaction (exceptionally good), Wiggle and
> Parker International.
> http://www.chainreactioncycles.com
> http://www.wiggle.co.uk
> http://www.parker-international.co.uk/
>
To which I would add Settle Cycles
http://www.settlecycles.co.uk

and, on occasions, the Bandits of Bridgewater.

 

[Rob Morley]

In article <[email protected]>
Great Eastern <[email protected]> wrote:
> Tony Raven wrote:
> > Have a look to see if there is a manufacturer's name on the freewheel as
> > a starting hint.
>
> I've had a quick look, although its dark in the garage and with the
> wheel still currently on the bike, but it appears to have the words
> Sunway Group Co on it, there may be some other markings, but I cant read
> those without giving it a good clean and better light!
>
That's a low-quality Chinese brand and AFAIK they only make freewheels,
not cassettes.

 

[Great Eastern]

Rob Morley wrote:
> That's a low-quality Chinese brand and AFAIK they only make freewheels,
> not cassettes.

So I'd need a freewheel remover to remove the whole lot? then replace
with a better brand version?

 

[Rob Morley]

In article <[email protected]>
Great Eastern <[email protected]> wrote:
> Rob Morley wrote:
> > That's a low-quality Chinese brand and AFAIK they only make freewheels,
> > not cassettes.
>
> So I'd need a freewheel remover to remove the whole lot? then replace
> with a better brand version?
>
Yes. If you have a few tools and a bench vice you can get away with
stripping away the gubbins of the freewheel, clamping the remaining
inner body in the vice and unscrewing it that way (only do this with a
scrap freewheel). While you're there take the opportunity to check the
hub bearings, and grease/adjust as necessary. To fit the replacement
just grease the thread on the hub, screw on the new freewheel by hand,
refit the wheel and stomp on a pedal in bottom gear with the brakes on
to tighten it. You may then need to adjust the rear derailleur.