Thursday, March 15, 2012

Vic's Freewheel Problem

Thanks for sending in the pics from your s3x/freewheel problem. So what we're looking at:
pics of the freewheel mounted, but not down all the way; the cog hitting the frame; a fixed cog fitted;  the freewheel off the hub; and two different diameter freewheels.

Here's my take. It looks like what I suggested: clearly, the freewheel isn't screwing all the way down the hub. I haven't tried installing a freewheel on my hubs, so I'm not sure what happens when you do. However, this was intended to work by the manufacturer. I will try this myself one of these days, but I don't know when I'll get around to it.

So Vic, I'd suggest getting a steel lock-ring and try to screw it down with the proper wrench over the full course of threads on the hub without the freewheel or cog on the hub. You won't be able to do this with the alloy ball-wrench ring S-A supplies. Alloy vs steel isn't happening. The hub threads might have gotten buggered by a loose cog/lockring on the hub while in use. ???

If you can get the steel lock-ring all the way down the threads on the hub (hopefully cleaning up the threads toward the dust cover) the freewheel should make more progress down the hub and clear the frame.

Anyone: would a bike shop have a die that would fit the hub threads?

I have never run into the freewheel diameter difference, myself. What would the other be used on? Freewheel hubs are all the same in my experience, so I got nothin'. Anyone?

I hope this helps, and I hope there might be more help from out there.....

Good luck, Vance
Posted by at

18 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 16, 2012 at 5:31 PM

    Vance,
    The shimano SF-MX30 won't thread any further. So instead I bought 16T Freewheel cog from ACS (63816-0100) which doesn't have the cog lip sticking out. take a look at the pics I just added. Hopefully this will help others out there who want a freewheel cog on the S3X.

    https://picasaweb.google.com/vic.runyan/S3XSturmeyArcher

    Vic

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    Replies
    1. ZolaApril 7, 2013 at 5:58 PM

      Hey Vic - it seems like we have the same problem with the same bike... are you riding a Felt Gridloc? I also went through the same ordeal - emailed the guys at SA who told me the Shimano MX30 would work but I couldn't thread enough. Anyhow, good to know you solved the problem - thanks for posting.

      Cheers from Brazil!

      Zola

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  2. VanceMarch 16, 2012 at 5:59 PM

    Thanks for the update, Vic. What I don't understand is that the new freewheel seems to screw on more toward the dust cover, and the first one with the lip seems like it doesn't. I understand that the lip hit the frame. Or is it something about the offset of the freewheel body plus a lack of lip that makes it work?
    Anyway, you seem to have solved it. How do you like the result?
    Regards,
    Vance

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  3. AnonymousMarch 16, 2012 at 6:24 PM

    The shimano doesn't allow you to thread it any further because of that lip on the cog occupies the internal threads. The ACS works greats and threads further onto the drive and doesn't have that protruding lip that hit's the frame.
    Just took it for a spin and it's a lot easier on my bummed knee. Plus, I can stand up and have a better view of traffic.

    Vic

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  4. VanceMarch 16, 2012 at 6:34 PM

    Excellent.

    I'm going to take the wheel off one of my bikes and try the freewheels I have on it to see what is up. It'll probably take me a while to get to it, but I'll post what happens.....
    Vance

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  5. skillianApril 5, 2012 at 3:47 PM

    Did you get the 15 tooth freewheel on the s3x in the end? Is that a bmx freewheel? Thanks

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  6. VanceApril 5, 2012 at 7:56 PM

    It looks like the problem is solved. Some freewheels work, and some don't. It depends on whether they have a lip on the inside that stops the freewheel from screwing down far enough. It must not interfere with regular hubs which aren't as wide as the s3x.

    ReplyDelete
  7. EuropaAugust 16, 2012 at 4:34 AM

    Sorry for posting in a thread. I'd like to ask Vance a question (or more) and can't work out how to. Help

    ReplyDelete
  8. VanceAugust 16, 2012 at 7:05 AM

    Hi Europa,
    Ask away. If it fits in this thread we'll just soldier on. If it warrants its own topic, I'll post a new one and we'll get some input from others.
    Thanks for your interest!
    Vance

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  9. AnonymousSeptember 7, 2012 at 3:15 AM

    Hello

    I just tried to put a acs 13t freewheel on my SA 3 speed hub tonight and the Acs was a different size. Much smaller? Is the shimano the right size to thread on?

    Thanks!

    Ben

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    Replies
    1. MattNovember 9, 2012 at 11:40 AM

      Hi Ben,

      I was having the same problem. I bought the ACS Crossfire 13t freewheel for my s3x and could not understand why it's not fitting. I really want a low tooth count for a freewheel.

      According to ACS' website, the Crossfire uses a smaller M30 thread on their 13t, 14t, and 15t freewheels. 16t and up uses a standard thread.

      Let me know if you find a 13 or 14t freewheel that fits.

      Matt

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    2. VanceNovember 9, 2012 at 1:01 PM

      I guess this is just too obvious, but you may just have to go bigger on the ring. Of course, if you're already at a 53 that's tough...
      Maybe it's not practical to get such a small cog on a standard diameter freewheel body?
      Let us know if you figure it out!
      Vance

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    3. MattNovember 10, 2012 at 9:18 AM

      Yeah, I've since discovered that no one makes a small freewheel with a standard fit. Every single freewheel I've found with a 13 - 15 tooth count has a metric fit.

      My original configuration—at least what I was hoping for—was a 48t to 14t (not the 13t as I previously mentioned). I get a similar ratio with a 54t to 16t setup. That's what I will shoot for.

      Matt

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    4. MattNovember 10, 2012 at 9:20 AM

      And for the record, Ecxess BMX also makes a freewheel that will work with the s3x that should clear the frame, per Vic's original dilemma.

      16t and up, of course...

      Matt

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    5. VanceNovember 10, 2012 at 9:41 AM

      Thanks for the info, Matt.

      Yeah, that's about as close as you can get unless you can find a 55 tooth ring. It looks like the 48/14 with 170 cranks and 700/25 wheel/tire would be 90.4 gear inches and the 54/16 would put you at 89 gi. 55/16 would be 90.7 gi.

      You could play around with crank length and tire sizes if you're really fussy....

      Vance

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  10. VanceSeptember 7, 2012 at 3:48 PM

    Hi, Ben.

    Thanks for the inquiry.

    Sorry, but I am not familiar with the different sized freewheel diameters. I'm not sure what applications call for which, or even how many different diameters there may be.

    Can anyone out there help?

    Vance

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  11. AnonymousOctober 15, 2012 at 12:38 PM

    Just came across this blog. Anyone know if a white industries freewheel will work on the S3X?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VanceNovember 10, 2012 at 9:49 AM

      Check out the information in the comments above. Matt figured out that it looks like freewheels with 15 teeth and below are built on a body with metric M30 threads only. 16 teeth and up are built on a standard (and M30 threaded body?). I haven't verified this, but it sounds reasonable. Thanks, Matt!

      Vance

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