No power!

[Gavin]

It seems the christmas ride has killed my bike! On the way to work today I lost all power to the rear wheel, it was like the chain had come off.

The cassette is turning but the wheel isn't. I'm guessing something is broken / worn out / loose but haven't had a chance to take a look yet (had to grab my other bike and get to work!). Is it worth me trying to fix this or will I need special tools?

[Roger Allen]

Sounds like your freehub has broken: the ratchet no longer catches. If you are any good at mechanics and don't mind faffing about they are pretty well repairable. However, if the wheel is old or cheap then bin it and get a new one.
Personally, it is too much trouble to fix, I wouldn't hesitate in replacing it. Matt might disagree, watch this space!

[Matt]

Hi Gavin,
It all depends on the type of hub.

If its a hope then its an easy job to strip, clean and reassemble.

If its a shimano then I'd throw it away and buy a new one. Still easy job, you just need a few basic tools to get cassette off and 10mm allen key to unscrew freehub body.

If its a cheap hub then probably time for a technology refresh!!!

Roger can probably fix it for you at club on a Monday night if you ask him nicely

[Gavin]

Its shimano...

to be honest the whole bike could do with replacing, the wobbles creaks and clicks seem to be coming from all over. I think i would rather get a whole new bike than spend more money on new bits for this one.

I'll see if i can fix it. Otherwise its time to spend money I don't have on a bike i can't afford!

[Matt]

If you can wait 3 weeks until I am back then bring the bike round mine and I'll see if I can get it sorted for you. I might even have a spare free hub knocking about or at least know where I can get one.
Can go over the whole bike and tart it up a bit. Might keep you going until you splash out on something new and shiny!

[Gavin]

That sounds good matt, it would be ideal if it can last until the weather gets better and by then I might have enough to get me a nice new bike.

I'm going to pop into evans today and pick up a chain whip and lockring tool so I can take the cassette off and take a look. I was going to try and get it off with whatever tools I could find but it turns out they have them pretty cheap in evans so I figured its worth getting them.

It sucks only having a road bike with slicks with this snow and ice around. I decided to take my car today rather than risk it on my road bike!

[Matt]

See if you can get a set of cone spanners too - this means you can take the axle out and then you are most of the way there!

Only loosen the NON DRIVE SIDE cups though - it makes reassembly easier. Then pop the axle out, take out the bearings give it all a good clean then you can access the freehub body with a 10mm allen key to remove the freehub. Rumour has it these can be stripped down but I think its just not worth it.

Can show you how to do this, as long as you can wait a bit!

If you bring the wheel to club and ask around then you might get some help.

[Gavin]

What I have done is taken the cassette off and cleaned things up. The lockring and 2 end cogs were rather loose. I'll give it a test run tomorrow and see how it goes.

With a bit of luck it will last until you are back and can have a look at it, if not i'll just wait.

[Terry]

Run some Coke through the block rearings ( the drink, not the stuff you snort)! If it happens again on a run simlpy urinate into it, does the same as Coke! When back at home run thin oil through, lots of brown muck will come through the other end; with a bit of luck could last a long while.

[pixsell]

I'd use Dr Pepper. It's way nicer than coke.

[Gavin]

Yay, its working again!!

A huge thanks to Matt for getting it fixed and giving my bike a good check over too. Thanks for the freehub Bryan, it seemed to do the trick and Jackson for the help too!

Looking forward to the ride tomorrow when I can test it out.