This is good...IRD freewheels are back on the market again.
 

If you hadn't noticed, IRD Classica freewheels (the more successful successor to the highly problematic Defiant freewheels) gradually vanished from the market over the last year. I have a couple of the Classicas and they have held up over many thousands of miles in varied weather (unlike a failed Defiant) so was disappointed that my supply disappeared. Well, I just checked and IRD is now selling the "Cyclone Mark 1" freewheel which looks just like the Classica. It's available in a wide range of cog sizes encompassing 5-, 6-, and 7-speed clusters.

Cyclone Mark 1 Freewheels 5/6/7-Speed ? Interloc Racing Design / IRD

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...624a9ba52d.jpg

IRD gear chart
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8896a5be1a.jpg

If they sold these in French threading that would be a game-changer.

I saw these yesterday and thought of posting, but you beat me to it. Happy to see the 13-32 in 6 and 7 speed!

I have one and it is very smooth running with a Sachs PC-850 chain.

Mark Petry
Bainbridge Island, WA USA

Good news indeed... But $70 now? :wtf:

IRD Cyclone FWs
 

The IRD Cyclone Mk 1 freewheels look interesting but they lack the Shimano style ramps on the sprockets that the previous Classica FWs had.

Discontinued Classica model

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...be0b888609.jpg

New Cyclone model. The advertising blurb says: "Special teeth profiles" which look like a buzz saw blade.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...cb96915163.jpg

verktyg :50:

I don't like to cast aspersions upon someone's product, but in these closeup pictures from IRD's own website, I don't like what I see--- especially for the $70 price.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a220c8c7e0.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c66612645b.jpg

The chrome plating looks horrible--- which leads me to question the quality of the sprockets. It seems odd that the plating does not cover the edges of the teeth. Also look at the bubbles, pits, debris and other imperfections in the sprockets and plating.

While the promotional material touts "labyrinth seals," nothing can be spotted between the outer retaining ring/bearing race and the inside of the outer body. In fact, there appears to be a nice sized gap where moisture, salt and fine grit can enter and contaminate the bearings and pawls.

I'd like to get one to disassemble for better examination. However in the past, the couple of IRD's I've had in the Spa would not yield to any attempts on my part to loosen the retaining ring/bearing race. In those two very limited examples, both were contaminated and needed service.

What remover do these take, Shimano's?

Game over, I suspect.

I was beginning to think that it might be a good idea if 14 of us PayPal'ed you $5 each -- I'd be in -- so you could examine one and provide a verdict. Then I read your post again.

Odd that the new IRD freewheels lack the ramps of the older model. I guess this means Shimano freewheels are still the way to go which is too bad since selection is so limited.

I agree with @bikemig, this is a real shame, along with the quality of the finish on the sprockets. Considering that IRD freewheels are about 2-3 times more expensive than the new Shimano, Sunrace, and other varieties, we should expect a really superior product.

I should also mention that in my limited experience with the IRDs, I failed in removing the sprockets. If they could be easily removed, IRD could sell kits for converting the 5 speed into an Ultra or Compact spaced 6 speed freewheel. This would appeal to all of us who keep our vintage rides spaced at 120mm.

It’s cool. If you want new 5 speed and no ramps this is it. And if you want 6 or 7 speed without 28 teeth or MEGA, this is also it. Maybe without the ramps, they last longer?And that is a nice looking BB on the IRD site also.

Park FR1

Can you purchase a new one without the ugly-*** writing on the big cog?

Guess I'll stick with sunrace. Their shiny 7-speeds have been treating me really well.

And hope my IRD "classica" freewheels keep going strong.

Seriously! I feel like there shouldn't be any way to have such terrible aesthetics on a freewheel that I wouldn't be willing to use it, but somehow Shimano has found a way. I don't even want one of those things on my bike long enough to get covered in road grime.

I wasn't aware of the demise of the Classica freewheels. That's a shame. I bought one last year and like it a lot.

I recall Golden Boy saying that he just uses a Sharpie to cover the text. Maybe I can try one to draw in a 32-tooth cog...

I dunno if I'd put too much stock in the appearance of the cogs. Every Shimano cassette I own has stamping marks on the tooth faces and tiny pits in the metal everywhere else. Doesn't seem to impact functionality or longevity at all.

It's a bummer that they have reverted to plain non-HG cogs, though. They could have at least done an imitation of Uniglide to make shifting a little nicer!

Agree that $70 is a bit much to pay for what you're getting now...

I find no fault in Shimano freewheels.

It's funny, I thought I had eliminated freewheels from all my bikes, but now I'm back. I got an unbeatable deal on 650b wheels, and they have a freewheel, so I put that on my Lemond. And my International's wheel broke, so I grabbed an old wheel, and now that bike has a freewheel again, too.

Yup! Just Sharpie right over it.

Oh snap!!!

:D

I had one of the bad Classica freewheels. IRD told me to go back to the dealer, the dealer told me it was clearance... I don't remember what I did... I got a different freewheel, but the spacing was off on this one as well- it didn't matter because I switched back to friction shifters on that bike.

For the $80 or whatever it was, I could have gotten 5 Shimanos or Sunraces. Or just not spent $80 on something that should have cost less than $20.

After I got the IRD Drillium levers, I saw the "ZST" levers on some Chinese site for $10 a set... while the IRD levers were drilled- that's a hella markup- especially for a company that apparently just rebrands existing stuff.

*the bump no one asked for*

I happened to be on the IRD site just now, and noticed that they sell replacement freewheel parts for the Cyclone model: cogs, bodies, springs, and pawls. Apparently they want to present it as a serviceable part, which is nice to see. I also didn't realize before now that they use the same freewheel body for 5, 6, and 7-speed models. So perhaps some customization is possible if you don't like the combinations they sell: https://www.interlocracing.com/shop?search=freewheel

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f5b3824034.jpg

I'm very happy with my Shimano Megarange freewheels. The're cheap to buy, shift well, and seem pretty bulletproof. Over 3000 miles on one without an issue. So it has writing on it. What's the big deal? I can't see it while I'm riding it, and I rarely ever sit and stare at my freewheels, thinking about what the lettering says.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ca3121acd9.jpg

I can't see my beard when I'm not looking at a mirror, but I still trim it.

Boulder Bicycle has put these on sale a few times over the last couple months. I picked up 3 for around $35/pc shipped. Honesty haven’t used any yet.

2x 13-26
1x 13-28


Also not a fan of the writing on the Shimano freewheels.

I agree that Shimano freewheels are good enough for me. In fact, I find them to be reliable and durable as well as cheap. The lettering is in poor taste; it makes them look like BSO things. But if it bothered me, I would paint it.

Glad to hear, have a couple, well built, and great if you want that classic look, love the silver However, as stated in previous posts, and elsewhere, they will not shift as good as that $15 Shimano with the twisted teeth. I would definitely put IRDs on all my CV wall hangers though.
Tim