Single Speed Freewheel

[Lord Pikey]

Last night i ordered a new freewheel for my Trek district, having got bored of spinning up the original 17t. The thing is, I bit the bullet and ordered a 14t, as low as i could find. Have i gone to far too quickly?

I know that starting out from traffic lights and such like will be difficult but it will be a small price to pay to stop spinning my legs like a chimp on E on 98% flat roads around here.

I have gone from a 44f -17r at 63,1 gear inches ( i have no idea what i means, i just know its relevant) to 44f - 14r at 76,6 gear inches

Have i made a mistake?, Cheers LP

PS. No kerbs were mounted or dismounted in the making of this post or during its research.

[OneDs]

It might be a bit wobbly at starts and low speeds and you'll do your knees no good below 12 mph but lets face it you've got a single speed already so your resigned to that fact.

If it's mainly flat where you are I see no problem, on my road bike I regulary pootle round on 52 15 which is a little bit longer once up to speed, so I'm sure you'll be fine, just don't try and put too much torque through the system at low speeds i.e. take as long as possible to get up to a good cadence.

Edited by OneDs on Wednesday 28th July 09:04

[Lord Pikey]

Arr. What happens if i try and put in to much touque?

I have been enjoying trying to get upto speed as fast as possible on it.

[OneDs]

Depends how strong your legs & back are, if you push too hard you could have a hernia, bugger your knees/back trying to put too much leverage through the system, Do you have clipless pedals? The wobbles at the start could be interesting. You'll get used to it, I'd just take it easy of the line, try not using your hands/arms & shoulders until your underway as leverage as that will help avoid over-torquing it, it will certainly make you stronger and you can build up your acelerative prowess over time.

edit: Cue Chris Hoy quads and custom fit trousers (just googled he runs 100+ Gear Inches so you've a fair way to go yet)

Edited by OneDs on Wednesday 28th July 10:54

[OneDs]

Oh you asked what gear inches are.

Sheldon is your man
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_g.html#gearinch

Basically it's a measurement of the ratio of travel versus gear ratio.

Your 44:17 I assume on original 700x25 tires is actually 69.3 GI (singlespeeders tend to use a nominal 27" rather than the actual diameter)

44:16 = 73.6
44:15 = 78.5
44:14 = 84.1

So your 44:14 is slightly more than 21% longer or harder to push for the same aceleration.

Edited by OneDs on Wednesday 28th July 23:31

[mchammer89]

I ride 44:15 fixed, have done for two years, i'm fine. I can ride to Brighton from London and still get up Ditchling Beacon. It'll feel a bit more difficult to start but you'll get used to it.

[mk1fan]

Lord Pikey said:

What happens if i try and put in to much touque?

Nothing, you don't produce enough.

[GreatGranny]

I'm fitting 44:16 (freewheel) on my single speed project and I live in Sheffield!

Just in the process of moving house and I'm discounting anything at the top of a hill!

I've got everything apart from a front wheel, seatpost and brake cables/outers.

Its based on an old steel track frame so should be pretty light.

[Lord Pikey]

OK, the new free-wheel has arrived. There is just one small problem. I cannot get the old one off.

I assume I am correct in saying that i undo it in the opposite direction to that in which you pedal?

And you have 4 gaps in the inner ring that make a good locating area for a large flat blade screwdriver and a 1lb lump hammer.

Its not coming undone.

Where am I going wrong?

[Pupp]

The lockring will be left hand threaded.... idea is if it fouls anything relatively static as wheel turns it will self tighten

[mchammer89]

There shouldn't be a lockring though...

It'll be threaded normally, turn anti-clockwise to loosen, you'll need a freewheel tool to do it properly. I'm sure you probably can do it with a screwdriver but for a few pounds i'd rather do it properly.