Baffling cassette removal

mountaincookie
mountaincookie Posts: 292
edited May 2011 in Workshop
I'm having difficulty removing the cassette of an old (early 90's?) and very cheap raleigh racing 700c wheel. There are no clues as to brand of cassette. I'm assuming it's a lockring job, but I'm not sure. I've had long hours looking all over the internet for the right tool but I can't seem to find it - could someone advise me as to what tool I need to purchase and if indeed it is the ''standard'' lockring type cassette? IToo me it looks more like a BB tool would fit, my HG socket is way too small! Thanks!

DSC01563.jpg

not sure if the picture will work...if not I'll try again[/img]

Comments

  • stigofthedump
    stigofthedump Posts: 331
    This looks like a freewheel not a cassette. A freewheel just unscrews from a thread on the hub. They can be incredibly tight because as you pedal you are doing up the thread tighter and tighter.
    You will need the tool which fits the splines in the middle of your photo.
    One check is to look at the hub between the spokes, cassette hubs have a bulge behind the cassette, frewheel hubs do not.
    Check out Sheldon Brown for more info.
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,673
    certainly not a cassette.

    also have a look on Parktools for freewheel removal info.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • redvee
    redvee Posts: 11,922
    That is a 14-28 freewheel on your wheel. A quick guess makes me think it is a Regina type freewheel and needs a likewise remover. In all honesty the cost of the tool is going to be too much for the single use you'll get out of it, try you LBS. It might be cheaper to get a new wheel and shimano freewhell, IIRC Regina are spaced the same as Shimano.

    A pic of a regina type freewheel.

    http://cyclingart.blogspot.com/2010/12/regina-freewheel-removal-tool.html
    I've added a signature to prove it is still possible.
  • mountaincookie
    mountaincookie Posts: 292
    Right, thanks thats very helpful!

    Arrg thats so annoying! I'm doing up an old racer for commuting (my £500 bike went walkabouts :evil: ) and I wanted to swap the old cogs from the far superior 27inch wheel it origionaly had (tyre clearance was an issue) but I couldn't because that required another hard to find exclusive tool!
  • mountaincookie
    mountaincookie Posts: 292
    I've tried the parktool freewheel remover tool that fits Atom. regina and Zeus....and it's way too small. The diameter of this thing is as big as my bottom bracket?!?

    Unless anyone can help me further I'm going to have to admit defeat and take it the LBS.

    If it's any clue to the workshop gurus among you there are 25(I may have miscounted) ridges/splines
  • andrew_s
    andrew_s Posts: 2,511
    It's probably a Sachs-Maillard "Normandy" type remover that is required, 24 splines, 30-32mm diameter.

    Shown on the right here:
    http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f ... l&start=21

    Good luck finding one. An old-ish LBS is probably your best bet.

    edit:
    Here you are
    http://www.bicycletool.com/normandymail ... ltool.aspx
  • mountaincookie
    mountaincookie Posts: 292
    Thankyou andrew-s, it turns out it is indeed a normandy! (says on the back of the freewheel...)

    I admitted defeat and took to my LBS...should have done that long before now....you learn :p

    Cheers people!

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