How To Remove A Freewheel?

How to Remove a Freewheel

Your freewheel is a crucial part of your bike, but it’s also one of the most likely to wear out and need to be replaced. If you’re not sure how to remove a freewheel, don’t worryit’s a relatively simple process that anyone can do with a few basic tools.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps of removing a freewheel, from start to finish. We’ll also provide some tips on how to make the process easier and more efficient.

So whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or you’re just getting started, read on for everything you need to know about removing a freewheel.

Step	Instructions	Image
1	Flip your bike upside down and place it on a stand or block of wood.
2	Locate the freewheel lockring. It is a small, hexagonal-shaped nut located on the back of the hub.
3	Insert a 15mm wrench into the lockring and turn it counterclockwise to loosen it.
4	Continue turning the wrench until the freewheel is loose enough to remove by hand.
5	Once the freewheel is removed, you can install a new one by following the same steps in reverse.

How To Remove a Freewheel?

Tools and Materials Needed

To remove a freewheel, you will need the following tools and materials:

• A chain whip
• A lockring tool
• A set of hex wrenches
• A pair of pliers
• A rag

Steps to Remove a Freewheel

1. Loosen the Lockring

The first step is to loosen the lockring. This is a small, circular ring that is located on the back of the freewheel. To loosen it, you will need to use a chain whip and a lockring tool.

• Insert the chain whip into the chain between the freewheel and the cogs.
• Place the lockring tool on the lockring.
• Turn the lockring tool clockwise to loosen the lockring.

It may be necessary to use a pair of pliers to hold the lockring tool in place while you turn it. Be careful not to damage the lockring tool or the freewheel.

2. Remove the Freewheel

Once the lockring is loose, you can remove the freewheel. To do this, you will need to use a set of hex wrenches.

• Insert one hex wrench into the axle nut.
• Insert another hex wrench into the freewheel.
• Turn the hex wrenches in opposite directions to remove the freewheel.

The freewheel may be difficult to remove, so you may need to use a bit of force. Be careful not to damage the freewheel or the axle nut.

Once the freewheel is removed, you can clean it and inspect it for any damage. If the freewheel is damaged, you will need to replace it.

Removing a freewheel is a relatively simple process, but it is important to follow the steps carefully to avoid damaging your bike. If you are not comfortable removing a freewheel, you can take your bike to a bike shop and have them do it for you.

How To Remove A Freewheel?

A freewheel is a mechanism that allows the rear wheel of a bicycle to spin freely when the pedals are not being turned. This is in contrast to a fixed gear, which requires the pedals to be turned in order for the wheel to move. Freewheels are common on road bikes and mountain bikes, while fixed gears are more common on track bikes.

Removing a freewheel can be a bit tricky, but it’s not difficult if you know what you’re doing. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of removing a freewheel, step-by-step.

Tools Needed

To remove a freewheel, you will need the following tools:

• A chain whip
• A freewheel remover
• A wrench
• Penetrating oil

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Remove the chain from the bike.

2. Apply penetrating oil to the lockring.

3. Place the chain whip around the lockring.

4. Insert the freewheel remover into the freewheel.

5. Turn the wrench clockwise to loosen the lockring.

6. Continue turning the wrench until the lockring is loose enough to remove by hand.

7. Remove the lockring and freewheel.

8. Reattach the chain to the bike.

Troubleshooting

• Problem: The lockring won’t loosen.

Solution:

• Apply more penetrating oil to the lockring.
• Use a heat gun or hair dryer to warm up the lockring.
• Use a hammer and punch to tap on the lockring to loosen it.

• Problem: The freewheel won’t come off.

Solution:

• Make sure that the lockring is completely loosened.
• Use a pry bar or screwdriver to pry the freewheel off.
• Be careful not to damage the freewheel or the hub.

Tips and Tricks

• If you’re having trouble removing a freewheel, you can take your bike to a bike shop.
• Make sure to replace the freewheel grease when you reinstall the freewheel.
• Freewheels can be expensive, so it’s important to take care of them.

Removing a freewheel is a relatively simple task, but it can be tricky if you don’t know what you’re doing. By following the steps in this guide, you can safely and easily remove a freewheel from your bike.

How do I remove a freewheel?

1. Gather your tools. You will need a chain whip, a lockring tool, and a wrench.
2. Put the bike in a stand or upside down. This will make it easier to access the freewheel.
3. Place the chain whip on the teeth of the freewheel. The chain whip should be positioned so that the teeth are between the two arms of the whip.
4. Insert the lockring tool into the lockring. The lockring tool should be inserted into the lockring so that the teeth of the tool are engaged with the teeth of the lockring.
5. Turn the lockring tool clockwise. This will loosen the lockring and allow you to remove the freewheel.
6. Once the lockring is loose, you can use the wrench to remove the freewheel.
7. Reverse the steps to install the new freewheel.

What if my freewheel is stuck?

If your freewheel is stuck, you can try the following:

1. Apply penetrating oil to the lockring. This will help to loosen the lockring and make it easier to remove.
2. Use a heat gun or hair dryer to heat the lockring. This will also help to loosen the lockring.
3. Use a hammer and chisel to tap on the lockring. This will help to break the lockring loose.
4. Take the bike to a bike shop. A bike shop will have the tools and experience to remove a stuck freewheel.

What is the difference between a freewheel and a cassette?

A freewheel is a type of rear hub that allows the rider to coast without pedaling. A cassette is a type of rear hub that has multiple cogs, which allows the rider to change gears.

Freewheels are typically used on older bikes, while cassettes are more common on newer bikes.

Can I remove a freewheel without a chain whip?

It is possible to remove a freewheel without a chain whip, but it is more difficult. You can use a pair of pliers to hold the lockring while you turn the wrench, but this is more likely to damage the lockring.

It is best to use a chain whip if you can.

What are the different types of freewheels?

There are two main types of freewheels:

• Single-speed freewheels: These freewheels have one cog and are used on single-speed bikes.
• Multi-speed freewheels: These freewheels have multiple cogs and are used on multi-speed bikes.

Multi-speed freewheels can be further divided into two types:

• Indexed freewheels: These freewheels have a ratchet mechanism that allows the rider to shift gears quickly and easily.
• Non-indexed freewheels: These freewheels do not have a ratchet mechanism and the rider must shift gears manually.

How do I choose the right freewheel for my bike?

The right freewheel for your bike depends on the following factors:

• The number of gears: If your bike has multiple gears, you will need a multi-speed freewheel.
• The type of bike: If you have a single-speed bike, you will need a single-speed freewheel.
• The size of the cogs: The size of the cogs on the freewheel will determine the gear range of your bike.

You can find more information on choosing the right freewheel for your bike in the following article: [How to Choose the Right Freewheel](https://www.bicycleretailer.com/how-to/how-choose-right-freewheel-48308)

In this blog post, we have discussed how to remove a freewheel. We started by identifying the different parts of a freewheel and then discussing the tools and materials you will need. We then provided step-by-step instructions on how to remove a freewheel, both with and without a tool. Finally, we concluded by discussing some of the common mistakes people make when removing a freewheel and how to avoid them.

We hope that this blog post has been helpful and that you now feel confident in your ability to remove a freewheel. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.