Shimano DX BMX Freewheel

dooverylittle

I have a Shimano DX BMX Freewheel 17T, I am not man enough for this gear . I want to change it for a 18T.
Does anyone know how to change it, Do you use the same tool as if you were changing a 10 speed cassette?
Any help appreciated.

Holyboy

You will need a four toothed BMX freewheel remover to get it off, on a side note the DX freewheels are junk and can be hit or miss if they last more than a few months even a cheap Dicta one would be better quality and about a third of the price but keep in mind that the Shimano ones are 3/32" width and if it came fitted to a bike from new the chain may be a narrow one and not a single speed chain (1/8").

doozerie

Holyboy wrote:

...on a side note the DX freewheels are junk...

They really are. One of mine tried to dismantle itself mid ride once, the only good coming from that being that it demonstrated that they are easy enough to open (with the risk though of many small ball bearings going absolutely everywhere). After that I used to partially open it now and again and pump it with oil. I was amazed to find that this kept the freewheel going for a few months, I actually fully expected it to seize up each day.

I believe that White Industries make some decent freewheels and in 3/32" too. It has been a while since I checked but they used to be available from the UK, and while they were (I think) twice the price or more of the Shimano ones they seem to have a reputation for lasting a long while so they'd probably be better value in the long run.

dooverylittle

Holyboy wrote: »

You will need a four toothed BMX freewheel remover to get it off, on a side note the DX freewheels are junk and can be hit or miss if they last more than a few months even a cheap Dicta one would be better quality and about a third of the price but keep in mind that the Shimano ones are 3/32" width and if it came fitted to a bike from new the chain may be a narrow one and not a single speed chain (1/8").

Thanks Holyboy, this is the chain i have.

KMC S1 Single Speed Chain

• For Internal gear hub / single speed
• S1 Coloured chain: Powder Polish Color Coated
• S1RB chain: Rust Buster Coated
• Less maintenance
• Silent action
• 1/2 x 1/8 inch
• 112 Links
• Pin length 8.6 mm

dooverylittle

dooverylittle wrote: »

Thanks Holyboy, this is the chain i have.


KMC S1 Single Speed Chain

• For Internal gear hub / single speed
• S1 Coloured chain: Powder Polish Color Coated
• S1RB chain: Rust Buster Coated
• Less maintenance
• Silent action
• 1/2 x 1/8 inch
• 112 Links
• Pin length 8.6 mm

can i just buy this http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=38308

or do i have to buy this http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=7805

Holyboy

dooverylittle wrote: »

can i just buy this http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=38308

or do i have to buy this http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=7805

The second one but with the chain you have any single speed freewheel will do, if it were me I really wouldn't spend the money on a Shimano one.

dooverylittle

Thanks holyboy, very much appreciate it.