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Good mid-price single freewheel?

Old 08-09-20, 08:45 PM
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oldschoolbike
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Good mid-price single freewheel?

Can anybody recommend a mid-price single freewheel for my commuter? I need 17 or 18T, 3/32 width, and road, not BMX, thread. The cheap ones (yes, including Shimano) either knock or clunk even with careful shimming and lubrication, and a White Industries ENO would be a big commitment with me waffling about tooth count.

Thanks

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Old 08-09-20, 08:46 PM
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Shimano has those too , get the one with the very robust 4 point removal interface & the tool.








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Old 08-10-20, 09:35 AM
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So let it knock and clunk (although I wouldn't expect that description in terms that strong from a new FW and it should stop while your pedaling) till you figure out what count you want... then go for a white industries. Don't know what lubrication your using but grease and phil wood tenacious oil are my gotos..
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Old 08-10-20, 10:30 AM
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If you want quiet, go FIXED.

Not what you asked for, but something to consider.
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Old 08-10-20, 05:40 PM
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The Shimanos knock from new and get worse with age. The outer body is just too sloppy on its bearings, and it's rare that you can get the right shims in there. I don't think the pawls will fail, though. The Crossfires clunk at random intervals regardless of age. I am about to to a post mortem on one to see if the pawls are the issue.

I use mineral oil in my freewheels, just like I have for almost 50 years. I never had such noises from a Suntour multi-freewheel, and I must have worn the cogs off a dozen of them over the years. The bearing races are separated enough on a 5 or 6 speed body that a bit of play does not seem to result in the noisy rocking effect. Or maybe its just that a single freewheel is always loaded in its centre-line, even when coasting, so is free to rock. Multi freewheels are almost always loaded off-centre.

A white Industries freewheel is likely in my future.
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Old 08-10-20, 05:45 PM
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oldschoolbike
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SF-30, that's the model that knocks all the time, but never a scary clunk. I gave both of mine away.
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Old 08-10-20, 05:55 PM
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Yes indeed, something to consider. I thought I was done with fixed gear forty years ago when I moved on from riding in the winter, but I guess this complaint of mine just underlines that I am a purist (of some kind or other).
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