White Industries Freewheels advice

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White Industries Freewheels advice

25 posts & 13 voices | Started 8 months ago by tommid | Latest reply from oldnpastit

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tommid - Member

I've had my WI freewheel just over a year and I have replaced the bearings twice and it has seized up twice.
The last time I just put cheap ebay bearings in. The seals are all in the correct places and I have rebuilt it as instructed by the website.
What I don't want to have to do is remove it and strip it each week and i don't want to pay £20-45 for better bearings each six ,onths as I get better life from a shimano freewheel for less tha £20.
Is this just becaus ei mainly ride at Thetford in the fine silty sand?

Any advice greatfuly recieved.

Posted 8 months ago #
Ringo - Member

i think you have been really unlucky, i have one that i have used for 18 months through the sandy shitty cannock mud as well and i have never changed bearings in it once. the teeth are worn now though

Posted 8 months ago #
Surrounded By Zulus - Member

I thought that they were meant to be bombproof?

Posted 8 months ago #
tazzymtb - Member

hmmmm I think either you have a duff one or you are a mechanical spanner.

Mine has been bombproof through years of abuse on the chase, peak district and riding at thetty with no issues

Posted 8 months ago #
Keef - Member

they generally last me 3 or 4 years before I have to service 'em,I do a few miles with em an all....

caggyhanded spannermunkey ?

Posted 8 months ago #
Singlespeed_Shep - Member

I gave up on mine and went to a dicta. £14 and i can't tell the difference.

Posted 8 months ago #
barrykellett - Member

I had to replace the bearing in mine after about 4 months of commuting. It seized pretty solid. I left the bike there for over a week of no use and it was properly sticky on the first back turn of the cranks. Its just like any bearing if water gets to sit on it for a long time.

Posted 8 months ago #
gazc - Member

had mine a year or so now (3rd hand..) and no problem, a little play in the bearing but i have new one to put in it when i get round to it. commuting/muddy cx riding too. if you're churning through the bearings that quick maybe cheaper in the long run to use shimano etc and treat as disposable?!

Posted 8 months ago #
Keef - Member

I used to get six weeks out of a shitmano,same trails/conditions........

just saying,like.....

Posted 8 months ago #
crazy-legs - Member

Hmm, my WI has been trouble free for years. Bearings replaced once in that time (by Tim at Sideways Cycles actually so I know they were done properly!)

It's lasted far longer than the two Shimano ones I had before the WI. Yours sounds like a duff one or alternatively, you're a crap mechanic.

Posted 8 months ago #
tazzymtb - Member

How tight is your chain tension? If it's too tight you will rip through bearings and pawl springs in record time. Possibly back to being a cackhanded spannermonkey again

Posted 8 months ago #
Sideways Tim - Member

Also, like with all sealed bearing components, don't spray GT85/WD40/Any thin lube into the bearing area. It will get past the seals and will disolve what little grease there is and cut bearing life very short.

Posted 8 months ago #
tommid - Member

tazzymtb - Member
How tight is your chain tension? If it's too tight you will rip through bearings and pawl springs in record time. Possibly back to being a cackhanded spannermonkey again

I am alright on the spanners. I worked spannering for a couple of shops and I do everything myself. Nothing normally causes me an issue.

Although I think it maybe as Tazzy says and it maybe my chain tension destroying them.

Posted 8 months ago #
sofaking - Member

had one on mine for two years( it was 2nd hand then) and never touched it. only changed it go up a gear . the one that has been took off stripped and look perfect inside so if any body wants a 19t let me know

Posted 8 months ago #
Keef - Member

my pal may be interested in the 19 Sofa......

how much,and are you going SSuk next week ?

Posted 8 months ago #
sofaking - Member

Hi Keith , how about £35, its in good nick, teeth look good still etc.
will be at ssuk

will chuck it in the van incase

Posted 8 months ago #
Blackhound - Member

Hi Matt,

If Keith's mate doesn't take it I probably will. Starting to struggle with my 17 and thinking of going to an 18 - might just go to 1 19 and be done for a few more years slowing down:-)

Will be at SSUK abw.

Kev

Posted 8 months ago #
sofaking - Member

Hi Kev. ok your 2nd.
form an orderly cue behind Keiths mate

see you next weekend for more tediousbikeshenanigans

Posted 8 months ago #
Keef - Member

sounds good Matt,I'm game for cog related antics nxt wknd he'll be coming down with us Chase posse,for his first ever SS event and ride,and yes he's a different 'virgin' from Ireland !

Posted 8 months ago #
sofaking - Member

see you next week then

you chase lot much have very good grooming tactics to keep picking up virgins to bring to events

Posted 8 months ago #
tazzymtb - Member

I've got 3 virgins wiv me an all from the cannocky area.

Posted 8 months ago #
Keef - Member

LOL,ooh yes,we have !

Posted 8 months ago #
tazzymtb - Member

keef adopting the cannock singlespeeders "come hither stance" whilst wearing tweed and getting ready to throw a virgin into the back of the pikey wagon

Posted 8 months ago #
Keef - Member

oh Taz,you've been spying on me.........

again.

Posted 8 months ago #
oldnpastit - Member

I think if you submerge the freewheel they then die shortly afterwards.

Or, at least, that's been my experience.

I don't think waterproof sealed bearings exist that will also be lightweight and cheap.

As it happens, I need to replace the 6808 bearing in my WI freewheel...

Posted 8 months ago #