Stop rear cassette from freewheeling

andyleep
andyleep Posts: 6
in MTB workshop & tech
Hi all. I have been into mountain biking for years but only recently got back into it. Currently messing about with an old bike I have and would like to make it so the rear 8 speed cassette doesn’t freewheel. Is this possible and if so, how? I want to keep it as a 1x8 speed set up, but have a ‘fixie’ style ride that doesn’t freewheel.....

Comments

  • Charlie_Croker
    Charlie_Croker Posts: 1,698
    Why?
    Hang on, to clarify, you want to keep all 8 gears that you currently have, locking the cassette, right?
    Do you want to keep the derailleur to still change gear? (that’s not gonna work)
    or
    Do you want to shorten the chain to fit one of the gears?
  • Darius_Jedburgh
    Darius_Jedburgh Posts: 675
    You want an 8 speed fixie?????
  • andyleep
    andyleep Posts: 6
    Hi both. Thanks for your replies. It is just for a project idea that I had while stuck at home! Charlie - I did want to keep the back exactly how it is and still have the 8 cogs, but lock the cassette but as you say this won’t work, the second option would be ok. Frank - yes, but I’ve never tried or seen this before so I have no idea if possible or not, but I now guess not!! Lol. Just something I was thinking of trying!!!
  • Darius_Jedburgh
    Darius_Jedburgh Posts: 675
    Thinking about...I did this once. In the old days of free hubs I was up at Tan Hill and my hub gave out. Pawls wouldn't engage and I had to get back to Kendal.

    Solution was to take the front mech gear cable and wrap it between the spokes and the holes in the rear sockets. That effectively locked the rear hub but left the rear mech in working order. Not sure what it did to the spokes!

    It worked for a few miles. Then I had to get off on a hill and a kindly farmer stopped and gave me a lift to Kirkby Stephen where there was a bike shop.

    It was an emergency bodge so it can be done. Not sure if it's a wise thing to do.
  • andyleep
    andyleep Posts: 6
    Ok, thanks. Will just have to go for a standard fixie then!
  • lesfirth
    lesfirth Posts: 1,382
    Andy, you have not seen this before because it is a bad idea.What will happen when you stop pedaling or back pedal?
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Erm, you know fixies exist right?

    This won't work 'very well', as soon as you pedal slower than the rear wheel is going you'll pull the mech right forward and loose chain tension in the upper run, you risk dragging the upper jockey into the cassette (not good). However hard you try at somepoint you'll forget and try and freewheel.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • andyleep
    andyleep Posts: 6
    That reasoning is very helpful and explains why it wouldn’t be possible, thanks! I initially didn’t see the issue as I thought it could just be the same principle as a normal fixie, just with multiple cog sizes on the back!!

Categories