Does anyone have any recomendations for a quality single speed freewheel?
I have a 2009 Specialized Langster which makes an awful noise from the rear freewheel (or so it sounds). Sounds like half the bearings are missing - which they're not as the bike is only a few months old.
I'm not brave enough flip the wheel and ride fixed yet. 😳
Does anyone have any recomendations for a quality replacement for the Shimano 16T freewheel at the back?
White Industries - expensive but worth it.
White Industries.
http://www.sidewayscycles.com/products/index.php?clid=12
free hub, sprocket and spacers.
wouldn't go back to screw on freewheels.
Just flip the wheel. Try it at least. Failing that, White Industries is the freewheel of choice.
white industries.
having said that, you could just try another shimano, as they seem 'variable'. the one on mine is fine. TBH though the WI is in a completely different class. fully serviceable too.
I've used [url= http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/111301.html ]ACS Claws [/url]for years without any problems and at a fraction of the cost of white industries.
just one point. When the shimano freewheels start making bad noises, do something about it quickly. It usually means they're about to seize or die, and neither is a good thing.
OrangeEvo - how's the chain line?
I have a noise like that on my IO and it's where the chainline isn't perfect and the chain essentially slides across the freewheel (talking mere mms) and slaps against the otherside under heavy pedalling.
It never showed up on a 16t but the bigger 18t cog highlighted a problem I wasn't aware of.
ACS can be pretty variable too, though I've found the 16t's pretty reliable. The 17t version though, pretty much every one I bought blew up scattering its innards to the four winds in as little as 10 miles. I gave up and bought a WI 17t, my ACS 16t is still rolling along fine after 2 years mind ...
have seen others try the ACS. one died in a matter of weeks used offroad. the other is on it's way out with use on the road in fairly short order too. like the shimano - variable.
Thanks for all the excellent advice.
I'll fiddle with the chain line once more - although I have tried in vain to correct the problem in this way.
Otherwise I think I'll order the White Industries freewheel - cool colours - you know how that matters 
My White Industries broke in less than 2 years, although that's 4 times as long as the Shimano one that preceded it. Like marty, I've gone back to freehub/sprocket/spacers now.