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Problem with my bike this morning.

  • 05-03-2013 11:53am
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4


    I had a problem with my bike this morning. Suddenly the backwheel simply did not respond anymore from when I pedaled and I could not move anywhere eventhough the chain worked completely fine. I suppose it's a problem with the mechanic that connects the chain with the wheel.
    Is this an issue that anyone recognize and would it be easy to fix for someone who is not an expert on bikes (and how much would you reckon this would cost to fix in a repair shop otherwise)?


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 68,317 ✭✭✭✭seamus


    Freewheel or freehub has died and needs to be replaced.

    Cost depends on what type of bike it is.

    Bog standard you're probably looking at a €50-€70 fix, all in including replacement part and labour.

    If someone doesn't have the knowledge or the tools to do this it'll be cheaper and quicker to the let the shop do it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,370 ✭✭✭07Lapierre


    Ulanbulan wrote: »
    I had a problem with my bike this morning. Suddenly the backwheel simply did not respond anymore from when I pedaled and I could not move anywhere eventhough the chain worked completely fine. I suppose it's a problem with the mechanic that connects the chain with the wheel.
    Is this an issue that anyone recognize and would it be easy to fix for someone who is not an expert on bikes (and how much would you reckon this would cost to fix in a repair shop otherwise)?

    It was very cold this morning...sounds like the freewheel Pawls didn't engage correctly. Is it working ok now? Probably be OK until the next very cold morning.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4 Ulanbulan


    07Lapierre wrote: »
    It was very cold this morning...sounds like the freewheel Pawls didn't engage correctly. Is it working ok now? Probably be OK until the next very cold morning.

    Actually, I had to quickly walk home with the bike and then take the bus to work, so I will not be able to check until evening, but what do you mean? Would it magically repair itself at the moment the temperature rises?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 68,317 ✭✭✭✭seamus


    There's a pawl/ratchet mechanism that allows the freewheel to spin in one direction but not the other. If you parked the bike with the pawls in the open position overnight, they may have frozen in place and remained open this morning. As the temperatures increase, they'll thaw out and spring back into the locked position.

    Not something I've ever heard of happening, but definitely sounds plausible.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,370 ✭✭✭07Lapierre


    Ulanbulan wrote: »
    Actually, I had to quickly walk home with the bike and then take the bus to work, so I will not be able to check until evening, but what do you mean? Would it magically repair itself at the moment the temperature rises?

    Yep! :) The pawls are "spring loaded". On cold days, somtimes they freeze in the "freeewheel" position. Once the temp. rises they unfreeze.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4 Ulanbulan


    seamus wrote: »
    There's a pawl/ratchet mechanism that allows the freewheel to spin in one direction but not the other. If you parked the bike with the pawls in the open position overnight, they may have frozen in place and remained open this morning. As the temperatures increase, they'll thaw out and spring back into the locked position.

    Not something I've ever heard of happening, but definitely sounds plausible.

    OK. Well it worked for about a mile Before it got broke and I had the bike Indoors over night, so it's probably not it. :(


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 604 ✭✭✭Pawlie


    Prop best bring it to someone or to shop where they will check it


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 543 ✭✭✭biketard


    It's not just a case of the pawls freezing into place; sometimes the lubrication in there that can get very thick when it's cold (preventing the pawls moving properly), especially if it's old and contaminated. Flushing the hub out and adding nice new lubricant can sort this out. Not an easy job unless you have the right tools, though.

    I can imagine it didn't kick in till 10 minutes into the ride because by that time the lubrication had cooled sufficiently to thicken up.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4 Ulanbulan


    biketard wrote: »
    It's not just a case of the pawls freezing into place; sometimes the lubrication in there that can get very thick when it's cold (preventing the pawls moving properly), especially if it's old and contaminated. Flushing the hub out and adding nice new lubricant can sort this out. Not an easy job unless you have the right tools, though.

    I can imagine it didn't kick in till 10 minutes into the ride because by that time the lubrication had cooled sufficiently to thicken up.

    Yes, this seems to be it. When I checked the bike again, the pawls were unfortunately not in right place again, but when I took a hammer and knocked a bit on it, the pawls came back into right Place.
    The pawls gets stuck again though every time i pedal backward or when the wheel moves and I'm not pedaling (like when going downhill for example), so I always have to bring the hammer with me to get them back into place.
    Would it be enough to just add new lubricant to fix this or should I still look into replacing the whole thing?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 543 ✭✭✭biketard


    Ulanbulan wrote: »
    Yes, this seems to be it. When I checked the bike again, the pawls were unfortunately not in right place again, but when I took a hammer and knocked a bit on it, the pawls came back into right Place.
    The pawls gets stuck again though every time i pedal backward or when the wheel moves and I'm not pedaling (like when going downhill for example), so I always have to bring the hammer with me to get them back into place.
    Would it be enough to just add new lubricant to fix this or should I still look into replacing the whole thing?

    The problem is that there's nowhere to add lubricant without taking several things apart. Also, it's imperative that you dissolve and flush out all the old gunk in there first.

    This is the way I fixed mine (the Shimano one): http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/freehub-service

    The good news is that, assuming you have Shimano parts from this century, those freehubs are removable (so you won't have to replace the whole hub, redo the spokes, etc), and not that much to replace. Unless you want to get your hands (very) dirty, I'd recommend just replacing the freehub. Also, if this is caused by a different problem, replacing the freehub will still solve your problem.

    If you're game to try the steps outlined at Parktool's site, though, good luck and let me know how you get on.


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