Dude.. these videos are just absolutely amazing. I've never come across such thorough, clear and pedagogic videos on bike repairs. I really want to commend you on the quality of these videos. You are absolutely killing it! Fantastic teaching!
This is the clearest and most thoroughly explained video I've seen on the subject. I was attempting to remove my freewheel with an adjustable wrench (and a cheater bar, kind of). I practically gave up it was on so tight, but CJ's tip to use a 1-inch box-end wrench saved the day. I found one for $3 at a local reuse shop, and I had the wheel off shortly after (had to use my leg, though, which was another tip I learned from this video!) Thanks, CJ!
What I like about cjhoyle videos is that no initial knowledge is assumed, and everything is explained. Another plus, is that the topics covered, include lower end or older bikes, which are being used by general majority of people...
@@cjhoyle I don't remember - do you have a video where you talk about the tools needed? If not, could be a nice idea for "bad weather" filming: Tell about the most useful, not-expensive tools, and how frequently they see use. When it's worth to pay extra for premium quality? When you can easily replace specialized bike stuff with general hardware store tools (for lower price/higher quality)?
@@cjhoyleSimply smashing! You have done a really good job as this is a guide that someone with absolutely no prior experience with a Bicycle can easily understand and follow. Kudos!
What a joy, by chance, to land on this video. I have read many of the comments below, and it's not at all surprising that all are unanimous in their praise. This is really an excellent tutorial. Your explanations are calm, thorough, clear and very precise. No music, no flashy effects, advertisements, no sponsoring, just a lovely gentleman willing to share his knowledge and experience to enlighten others. Such a beautiful and rare quality nowadays. I'm sixty four, and yet you remind of the teachers I had in the past, who I loved because they made you love THEIR subjects, because THEY loved them, and so could pass them on with enthusiasm. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless. (I thought I detected a Kanuk accent, haha. I'm a Canadian citizen, but not born in Canada. Three gorgeous bikes: Raleigh Record Ace, nearly full Campy, a French early 70's lightweight steel racer- full Campy, and a hand made (Paris) steel touring bike built in 2000, nearly full Campy, where I will be changing the 8x cassette 13/26 for a 11/28, triple chainset.)
I appreciate the kind words. The very first bike maintenance tutorial I made was nothing like this, but over 10+ years I've gradually been refining my approach.
Excellent demonstration and explanation of not only how to identify the differences between cassette and freewheel gear clusters, but also how to easily remove both. Just what I needed to know. Excellent work; thank you for sharing this information.
Wow, in 14 minutes you explained things that took me long time by myself, effort, and some mistakes to learn. The knowledge taught here and, specially, the order and details in which it was displayed was just brilliant. Thank you and keep doing these type of videos that are very helpful!
Thank you so much dude, I struggled one hour to unscrew the freewheel from my old bike to replace that after that I watched your video and it helped me to unscrew within a few seconds. Thanks a lot
Hey my man. Awesome video. Mine was kicking my ass as it was stuck on. I actually used a big impact driver and broke it loose. Thanks to your video I knew how it would come off. Thanks a million. You got a new follower here
I'm trying to build my own bike soon. However, all the difference options, such as boost, spline, fork offsets, etc is driving me crazy. Thanks for teaching me a little on the cassette aspects.
Thanks a mil! A simple task but i wanted to make sure I didn’t fuck it up. BTW nice iron ring ;). PS i think I recognize you from my days at Cycle Toronto
A very informative video. Thanks. Can a single free wheel sprocket be fitted back to front as I want to install the sprocket to an e-bike hub motor to drive a trikes rear axle using a made to suit hub mounting bracket.
yours was the most useful video I've found on this topic, as I am just learning to fix mine and my kids' bikes - thanks! can you tell me, if my bike's axle has the "open" ball bearings, can I replace them with either the retainer ones and/or the totally encased bearings?
The problem I'm having is my freewhell was pit onto an electric rear wheel and the tool to take it off is not big enough to slide over the axle. I really need help here ive noticed there's like a locking cover over the last cog is the to take the first cog off to put a tool over the axle?
Thanks for the amazing work, Just a quick question. My bikes sprocket is loose and it make noise when I am pedaling. It is exactly like loose wheel bearing you experience. But not the wheel itself, but the sprocket. Any tut on this, Do I need to replace the entire sprocket or I can replace soly the bearings if there is one somewhere inside the sprocket.
There are two common styles of rear sprockets (Cassettes and Freewheels) and I have a video which will help you identity which type your bike has. The solution to fixing your problem will depend on which type you have.
Hey I just found your channel yesterday, can you make a video on servicing front suspension fork, and another one where you show all the tools that you have for repairing bike. Thanks
Thanks. Front suspension forks are not a system that I have an awful lot of experience with, so I'm probably not the best resource for learning about them. In terms of tools, I have a video called "Top 9 Essential Bike Tools - What to Carry While Riding". In terms of buying additional tools beyond that, my advice is to buy the tools that you need, as you need them. For example, in this video I showed the 4 different freewheel tools that I own. There are more freewheel tools available, but I don't think it's practical for every person to own the full set since many of them you'll never use.
In the video beginning, he calls both systems freehub, right? Why? I don't understand why you would not be more careful, especially since freehub and freewheel are already so similar! Confusing for beginners like me!
Quick question. What are the chances that I can upgrade my 7-speed freewheel to an 8-speed freewheel? I don't know much about freewheels but I know when it comes to freehub cassettes they are all pretty much the same width and that is done by making the cogs sit closer together as you increase the gear count, but is that the same case for freewheels or does the width of the freewheel actually increase the higher you go up in gears meaning I would need a longer axle to accommodate an 8-speed freewheel? So basically, is the gear spacing the same on a 7-speed freewheel as it is on an 8-speed freewheel or is the 8-speed freewheel wider?
Having never seen an 8-speed freewheel, I can't answer this question with complete confidence. But my belief if that an 8-speed freewheel is wider. While you're correct that sprockets are placed closer together on higher speed count cassettes, they also are wider too.
@@cjhoyle alright I appreciate the input. I already ordered the 8-speed freewheel and plan to install it tomorrow or Friday. I'll update you on if it was a success or not.
@@cjhoyle update: just installed the 8-speed freewheel and it fits fine, no issues at all (except for buying a really cheap freewheel removal tool off amazon, it being to small, then having to go to my LBS and buying the park tool free wheel removal tool which worked perfect, lol)
Hi, the sprocket freewheel spins both directions from a Schwinn . Now can I replace it from another basic bike rim ? And the ball bearings inside are they replaceable ?;
Freewheels can be swapped from one wheel to another, though you might run into some problems with chain skip depending on the level of wear. Freewheels are really difficult to service because there are so many ball bearings and they are really small. Given that Freewheels are fairly inexpensive, when they fail most people just replace them.
Hello! I have really found your video useful.But I have question that can I replace a cassette from a cassette hub and install a install a freewheel in stead of cassette?? please let me know quickly.
Unfortunately the two systems are incompatible from that perspective. If you wanted to convert wheel from one system to the other, you would need to replace the hub, which means re-building the wheel (removing all the spokes etc). Most people who want to do this switch just buy a new wheel. I have a video where I did this called "How to Upgrade a Bicycle from Freewheel to Freehub and Cassette "
I’m trying to help a friend with his 7-speed cassette but after putting it on the free hub there is som play even though I’ve tighten up the locking. Feels like there’s suppose to some spacer or something I’m missing. I’m use to tech MTB with 10 and 11-speed. Can there be something wrong with the hub? Unfortunately he throw away the old cassette so I can’t look at that.
