Forum menu
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.
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
I thought that they were meant to be bombproof?
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
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 ?
😕
I gave up on mine and went to a dicta. £14 and i can't tell the difference.
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.
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?!
I used to get six weeks out of a shitmano,same trails/conditions........
just saying,like..... 😀
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. 😉
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
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.
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.
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 🙂
my pal may be interested in the 19 Sofa......
how much,and are you going SSuk next week ?
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
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
Hi Kev. ok your 2nd.
form an orderly cue behind Keiths mate
see you next weekend for more tediousbikeshenanigans
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 !
see you next week then 😛
you chase lot much have very good grooming tactics to keep picking up virgins to bring to events
I've got 3 virgins wiv me an all from the cannocky area.
LOL,ooh yes,we have !
[img] 
[/img]
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
oh Taz,you've been spying on me.........
again.
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...