Single Speed Hub Help

McGee2010

Hi all

I have been reading the boards for a while and I am now after some help.

I ride a viking FX (yes I know!) single speed that has ajoytech flip flop hub. I have had issues with it cathing/jamming/grinding before after I took the wheel off to change the tire. The lbs told me that it was "gross mechanical incompetance" and they got it running correctly again. I have since had that issue reoccur and tried a different lbs who sorted it out for me. They weren't exactly sure what it was (the local shops are a bit pants really) but got it running smoothly and quietly for me which was fine.

I have since done a couple of hundred more miles on it but this morning on my ride to work it suddenly stopped giving any drive. The best way of explaining it is that it is as free riding forward as it would be pedalling backwards. There was no crunch or breaking sound, just a sudden loss of drive. The pedals turn freely and it is turning the chain and sprocket on the back with no friction.

Which leaves me with a walk home! Only 5 miles but still .....

Can any one shed any light on what its likely to be? And suggest any fixes to get me home? I'm fairly new to the mechanics of bikes so I'm not sure what I am looking for and need it explaining in fairly simple terms if possible. Gonna have to take it back to the first shop eventually, despite his rudeness, as he does have half an idea of what he's looking at, but I want to go to him with a better idea of what it is. But that will have to wait til payday!

Thanks in advance for any help.

James

McGee2010

Oh and if anyone can suggest a decent lbs in the M33 of south manchester area that would be a great help.

Thanks

James

nicklouse

sounds like the spring has gone in the drive system.

depends on the hub but a new spin on freewheel needed at a guess.

McGee2010

OK thanks

I will have a look and see what I can do with it then. Hoping my google-fu is strong today!

Blue Meanie

Best fix for a flip/flop is to fit a fixed cog - no springs :-)

McGee2010

Blue Meanie wrote:

Best fix for a flip/flop is to fit a fixed cog - no springs :-)

Yeah I borrowed some spanners from our maintenance guy at work with the intention of turning the wheel round but mysteriously the freewheel had engaged again. it got me home and back in this morning without any issues.

Really odd.

I've never ridden it fixed. I think I will reserve that for the weekend when I can go out on quiet roads to try it out. I still want the option of freewheel so i am thinking a new freewheel is on the cards, or maybe an affix freefix hub?

What is the best freewheel to go for though as I don't know the mrs would allow me to justify the cost of the freefix?

Thansk
James

Salsa

The £25 Shimano freewheels are supposed to be ok but I've never used them. I run the cheap Dicta freewheels (£7) on my budget single speed, they don't last forever & it's probably what you have on yours. On my nice single speed I splashed out on the best freewheel out there, the White Industries ENO. It's expensive compared to cheap ones (£70) but really well made with cartridge bearings & is fully serviceable.
With the Dicta I also put a fixed cog on the other side for when it fails.

McGee2010

Salsa wrote:

The £25 Shimano freewheels are supposed to be ok but I've never used them. I run the cheap Dicta freewheels (£7) on my budget single speed, they don't last forever & it's probably what you have on yours. On my nice single speed I splashed out on the best freewheel out there, the White Industries ENO. It's expensive compared to cheap ones (£70) but really well made with cartridge bearings & is fully serviceable.
With the Dicta I also put a fixed cog on the other side for when it fails.

Good to know. Yeah I have the fixed cog ready to go if needed. :?

I can't see a brand on this freewheel but have been looking at some on the web. Definately a range of prices available. Would there be a standard fit for them. Sorry for daft questions but I am trying my best to learn these things.

Thanks
James

Salsa

The thread you want is the ISO 1.37 x 24 tpi & you want one that says 3/32" for the chain, that will also work with a 1/8" chain if you have that on your bike.

McGee2010

Brilliant

Thanks for the help

James

Blue Meanie

If you do try to run fixed, make sure the cog's tight and so is the lock-ring (backwards thread), otherwise it might coast when you're trying to slow down.