How to Remove Bike Cassette Without Special Tools (IMPROVED

Hey! I hope this video showcases some methods that others have used and the one I found for myself to work a bit better. Let me know if you have any questions!

[@mickyashey9818]

UR THE EFFIN MAN!!! YOU HELP ME AVOID HAVING TO DEAL WITH ONE OF THE BIGGEST HEADACHES, NOW I CAN FIX MY BIKE AND GET BACK ON THE ROAD WITHOUT HOW TO BUY SPECIALTY TOOLS!!! I THINK IT WAS REALLY AWESOME THAT YOU SHOWED THE OTHER WAYS OF DOING IT AS WELL BECAUSE THAT HELPS YOU REALIZE HOW BAD THE DAMAGE YOU CAN DO DOING IT THE OTHER WAY

[@TrueNomadSkies]

I know people will say to just get the tools, but sometimes it's like 9pm or you've got it at work where every other tool is there other than what you need. It's always helpful and interesting to share things like this.

[@Garanon5]

I need to remove a sprocket on a DC motor of all things and I was looking for ideas to save me from spending money on a special wrench. So I second this comment.

[@Jeff-gw1dv]

Well done to you, will take your advice to remove my cassette to replace 3 broken spokes on wheel on that side.Thanks for posting.

[@michealpineapple6920]

Videos from 10 years ago always come in clutch for this stuff

[@hermanlee5376]

Thanks for the video...worked great for me!!! Was doing it all wrong until I saw this video. I used needle nosed pliers but instead of using my hand to hold the cassette, I gently pushed/wedged the largest cassette onto a vertical 2x2 wood post (to keep it from spinning) and loosened the nut! Thanks!

[@sthpawil]

Thank you... this worked perfectly using a small pair of needle nose pliers and a pair of gloves to hold the cassette! Swapped the cassette from one wheel to another in less than 3 minutes... I couldn't believe how easy it was!

[@Unorthatrox]

I used plastic clamp to hold the cassette, the jaws weren't able to grip but the cassette easily dug into the plastic and gave me a pretty solid grip. I then used your idea with the needle nose pliers and clamps some vice grips perpendicular to them for leverage. Worked like a charm

[@v8powerr771]

Great method with pliers worked like a charm I wrapped chain around and stood on it, easy as pie.

[@Monomitry]

That nose plier trick worked well. I wrapped an old inner bike tube around the cassette to hold it from spinning. Always save a couple inner tires, those have helped me with all kinds of things.

[@luca3976]

I wonder why so many people that have the tools still watched the video and commented on it xD

[@bobstokoe1332]

Well said!

[@michaeltorres622]

Awesome kool bike hack

[@Straightbangin1979]

Lol maybe their friends who live far away are asking them how to do it without special tools

[@Jetsonn]

Right 😂😂

[@johnr2866]

In a shop with 3 to 6 mechanics and 75% of the necessary tools this is golden

[@Gary-lv9gj]

Needed to remove bike cassette just to replace a spoke. Didn't want to waste money on tools for a small one off job. Tried your method and it worked a treat with absolutely no damage to bike or tools! Great video 👍

[@anthonyc3926]

I chuckled a bit because my bike was 20 years old and figured needle nose and my hand as a counter would never work, but I didn't have the tools so I tried. It worked !!! Hat tip and Kudos to Flyfreak. Your simple brilliant solution helped me.

[@saltyshutter7733]

Great video! The needle nose plyers really did the trick and I only had a small pair. I have the actual tool in storage hours away. I wouldn't have bought that tool had I seen your video. Nice and short, quick to the point. I did use a big pair of channel locks. Thank you! And blessings your way.

[@emeryroad7276]

you made me watch 4 minutes to say... i already loosened it so i just used my hands.

[@Selenchi]

Thank you.

[@billymiller8936]

Exactly

[@TheRedTrucks]

Yea I was like WYF!!:-(

[@djseitz425]

Yup he MADE YOU watch. Lol you decided to watch.

[@ThePearsch]

Lol, 'already loosened'. I needed to remove the cassette so I can replace some broken spokes.

[@terryfreedom9742]

This saved the day for me. My cassette had come loose and it was causing the bike to jump gears. I only realized what the problem was about an hour before I was meeting friends to go ride. I used the needle nose pliers method and managed to tighten the nut enough that the cassette spins true.

[@Peppermint1]

Some of these things are crazy tight. I was able to remove one tapping on it, but I had another one that I had to bring to a bike shop and two people almost couldn't remove it with the right tool. Tapping with the hammer can also easily damage the bearings inside because these bearings are much softer than the ones on the wheels. So really try tapping gently, and if it doesn't work bring it to a bike shop, they will remove it in 2 minutes and may not even charge you.

[@jasonriddell4977]

I own a small bike repair business and I was stuck and this video really helped me👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@RobSimmons654]

+jason Riddell If you don't own a chainwhip and a lockring wrench, you do not own a small bike repair business. You own a bike killing shop.

[@MrUtility]

This worked perfectly for me. I used a pair of needle nose pliers, placed their tips into the groves. I put on a a pair of mechanics gloves, and this allowed me to put my hand into the handle of the pliers (near the pivot point) to apply outward pressure on the pliers (as you are using the pliers in the opposite direction, not to grip but apply outward pressure against the grooves). My second hand was able to grip the cassette tightly (again because of the gloves). I turn both my hands, and pop it loosened up.

[@chriswhited]

You are DA MAN. 1st you showed how to fix the plate. And in doing that I figured out I was missing a spacer, which was causing the cassettes to rub against the bike. All good now and it runs like a charm. 😃

[@jonnyboi2536]

needle nose pliers and a cloth works every time, I showed a mate and he was outraged but he cares about torque and exact psi and has all the correct tools but cant ride up a hill and gets scared going down them! he is a tool with all the tools, nice guy though

[@klkw19997]

Hey thanks alot for this tutorial man! Just dropped by to say your method was really good! Took the lock ring out in no time :D

[@Andres.Music.Channel]

thanks for showing us this simple way to remove a cassette from the rear wheel I will try it when I need to change my unit/

[@jeffbrunton3291]

I agree with most of your points - never use the pipe wrench or - never use the screw driver on the locknut The ones I disagree with are - using the needle nose pliers, on the locknut - using your hand on the cassette These are potentially dangerous The proper tools are necessary

[@TheGazza636]

ive seen bodging in the past but this is on a new level

[@dmatsuoka6973]

I’ve been struggling with this most of the morning and your technique worked great idea!! Thank you!! I needed this cassette off so I can covert to a one speed.

[@kuyakoko6735]

lol me too

[@LierreNarcissus]

Thanks SO MUCH for helping me save SO MUCH time and energy!!!

[@FlyingFreak67]

FlyFreak23, thank you very much for the information. I will put it to good use. Sincerely, FlyingFreak67

[@minusthesandwich]

Thanks man that sorted me right out....works with a bmx cassette aswell....which has a much wider lock nut...but this worked a treat

[@007458689]

Thanks for the help I ended up taking my old bike chain nailing it to the 2x4 and then wrapping it around a few times then i put a screw in-between where the teeth would engage and it finally worked 🤣🤣 but your video helped me out to brainstorm this idea ahah

[@DnL703]

Hey Thanks buddy! Helped me in a pinch today. Now I can go ride!! Keep em coming brother!

[@lettersquash]

Super helpful, cheers. It occured to me also if holding the cassette isn't enough (even with gloves, of course) you might wrap cord or rope round and round the gears in place of a chain whip - it should eventually bind into the teeth, but not put any strain on one particular tooth like the pipe wrench. Gonna go get mine off now!

[@lettersquash]

Ah, ok, well mine is one of those bitches that ain't comin' off without a fight - I'll probably have to take it to the shop.

[@jimjr4432]

Thanks, I appreciate it. I might suggest that clamping things is usually compression, stretching things is usually tension. Not sure that is relevant but I just had to bring it up. OCD of course, best wishes, Jim

[@tpainmason]

Folks please do not follow these nonsense. These tools are pretty cheap to purchase and will prevent you from doing damage to your bike. Get the right tools and save yourself a lot of headache. If you ride a lot it's worth the investment.

[@geraldweber611]

Yeah really what's wrong? You don't want to get new tools? I love to get new bike parts but I'd much rather get new tools. :)WEST COAST:(

[@fireteammichael1777]

Unless one is semi-mechanically inclined and resourceful. I fully intend to buy all necessary bike specialty tools, and still have managed to get multiple parts changed without specialty tools.. these I'll likely order a cheap tool

[@ryanwolfe9794]

If someone’s watching this video it’s because they need their bike fixed ASAP and don’t have the right tool, of course we’d prefer to just buy the right tool for the job

[@wolfthequarrelsome504]

Agreed

[@dereckmilne1894]

Helped me out to put the gears on another wheel! Like the idea!

[@JimboFixIt]

thank you my bro. didnt really feel like buying the chainwhip and special nut to fix my wheel.

[@freedomtree3071]

my hand grip stength wasnt enuff. so i did buy a chainwhip online.ironically the removal tool that came with it didnt fit any of the wheels i was working on, it would not go over the nut. S0, alongside the chainwhip , I used a pair of plumbers pliers that i already had, to grip across both jaws of the pencil nose pliers when placed (wedged) in the lock ring. i found this replicates the direct force of removal tool and spanner rather than the pushing in then twist forces generated with the hand. it was successful on both wheels. just b mindful to lean the wheel against your legs and apply downward pressure keep the pliers stable no wobble. if they are loose it can jus slip out with a chance of rounding the spline on the lockring. so thanks for the video it helped alot. i can now go riding on my turbo while we are locked down. be healthy keep safe, Stay Home.

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

A chainwhip and the proper socket wrench are not expensive and every bike shop sells them. If you damage the cassette and hub then it's goodnight Vienna!

[@ixRAZORxi123]

+KRAZEEIZATION They cost more than the cassette

[@Arnoud115]

+ixRAZORxi socket wrench is 8.95 EUR, chainwip you can make yourself with an old chain or use some heavy cloth to keep it in place. Just bought a shimano cassette for 30 EUR which was the cheapest shimano cassette I could find. So I don't know where you get your info from but yea, your argument is invalid ;P

[@bluppfisk]

+KRAZEEIZATION it's the weight, for touring, that makes socket wrenches + monkey wrench + nut rather stupid, because half of the time you won't even need them and still you need to bring them. So being able to do it with tools you find in every motorcycle store is a great help for tourers.

[@cyclingpunkhero2752]

+ixRAZORxi I have had the same chain wip and cassette tool for 20 years. It was a good investment.

[@KRAZEEIZATION]

Messing around with improper tools always causes damage. Hammering precision parts like this is total disrespect to the engineering of them in the first place. A chain whip is pretty cheap, does the job without pain and costs far less in the long run. If you damage the cassette, hub and axle by hammering then you're really out of pocket, so pretty please with sugar on top, use a gawdamn chainwhip!!!!

[@RandyDarkshade2]

I have the tools for the job, they are not very expensive and make life a lot easier. I needed my chain whip today but I have left it at moms, so as an alternative I used a bike chain I had hanging up, wrapped it around the cassette, then stood on the chain with both feet, then used the special tool to undo the locking nut.

[@cwalke32477]

+RandyDarkshade Yup I've done this as well! PITA too!

[@JayUstruck]

Was just about ready to plop down $30 for the specialized tools then tried this method. Hah, it worked! One modification I recommend - cinch a leather belt around the cassette for good grip w/o tearing up your hands.

[@jovencahilig2653]

This video is really helpful! Thank you so much! 😊😊😊

[@Logarithm906]

worked for me, was particularly stiff so used a vari-wrench to grip the needlenose. Wasn't concerned about damaging the sprockets as they're getting replaced anyway....

[@philipogley3476]

Great video. You don't need all these special tools. Never used to use them.

[@roberthaynie2706]

Ingenious you saved my ride and it was so easy thank you

[@DRACULARoo]

if that cassette its tight enough its no way on earth you can hold it by hands and use that tool to open it.

[@IanLanc]

@Steven Mark Tobin That's the daftest reply yet! So with the wheel back in the frame, how does one unscrew the lock-ring ?

[@geraldweber611]

Funny as hell. ;)WEST COAST:(

[@mzoern]

Use a towel to hold the cassette. Makes it way easier than your hand and worked like a dream.

[@magnumllama400]

@@mzoern sure did?

[@SharedJoy]

I'm not joke. Seriously, i used my underpants to hold the cassette and the needle nose pliers to twist it. All done without any problem! thank mate. it's great video.

[@ow-my-achilles1106]

Damn, you have buns of steel to grip that cassette. Oh wait..Do you take the underpants off first?

[@lucianonarno1408]

+Not Tellinya LOL

[@_redpillbill]

Great idea, I did the same, was so easy and comfortable ergonomically, it must of been the thick skid marks on my underpants that provided so much grip to cassette teeth and cause skids marks were really thick it was so comfortable , like a gel cushioning pad, the other bonus was it smelt so good 💩🥇

[@carlitobregaunte2513]

Good Video Helped A lot With What To Do (Without) The Original Tools Needed When In A Bad Spot!!! .

[@liljnnaps1]

Chain whips are super rare, im guessing they produced only around 100 million of these so good luck finding one. Actually they still produce 1000s per week so there is hope that within a few hundred meters of your purpose built garage one exists. Probably only cost a 6 pack also.

[@kotelypiesely1268]

fucking genius man, tried to get at it with a hammer for about 15 minutes, brought the pliers out, one turn and it's tight, I am incredibly greatful, I owe you

[@shishdim]

Yes, the pipe wrench did it for me. Thanks, man!

[@BensWorkshop]

Many thanks, very helpful!

[@hanzelmiranda]

I was asking my self “How do you remove that Shi$&!?” Because I remember my BMX many, many years ago using a hammer and screwdriver. I saw your video and my son have a bike again. 🤣

[@LejonIndependent]

this was super easy. thanks a lot

[@RemcoStoutjesdijk]

Damn. This actually worked. Thanks!

[@djeondj]

I'd invest in tools . Your best bet is a Table vice grip and cassette removal tool, along with a chain whip (depending if cog ring or freewheel ) lock cass. Removal tool on vice grip , place wheel In proper removal tool and turn counter clockwise . !!

[@mzoern]

I used an old towel to hold the cassette which made it easier on my hands and gave lots of grip without potentially damaging the teeth.

[@sparky36199]

The easiest way I have found to undo the lock ring. First remove the spindle. Then get a bit of chain and wrap it around the cogs and push a screwdriver through the chain links. Get someone to hold this . Then get a 2 pence piece and a adjustable spanner. Make sure you put enough downward pressure on the 2 pence piece and the adjustable spanner is a really tight grip on the 2 pence piece and then undo the lock ring. It can be done quite easily as long as the lock ring isn't stupidly tight. I used to do this year's ago when I was a lad and didn't want to pay silly money for the tool. But now I have the correct tools. It is easier with the correct tools. Try it you might be surprised how easily it works. So don't judge until you try it folks. But if the lock ring is stupidly tight it will just bend the 2 pence piece. There that's my trick for undoing the ring.

[@johnargue2977]

Good video. Actually liked that it was already loosened. U Can see what part screws off. I could buy the right tool ,but then just take it to a bike shop also. Good to see all options. Guess it all depends how expensive is your bike is and Will u risk it.

[@stm8557]

Another KZbin cowboy special 10/10

[@russ4294]

Very helpful thank you. I wonder when people first started to slip the word essentially into sentences.

[@davidk5158]

I secured my freewheel by running a towel around the gears and thru the spokes. Turned the needlenose pliers with a crescent wrench. Worked great!

[@mandablyatskayapizdo]

I've used the chain and the crank as chain whip in the past

[@destructiveeyeofdemi]

Cool homie. Much love. Off to the workshop. x

[@samuelchildress5585]

next time I would try using a old piece of chain to hold the cassette instead of your hand, it would be more comfortable and work about the same as a real chain whip.

[@marcogiampa283]

yeah ill probably be buying a cassette lockring tool for like 7 bucks but using an old chain and holing the chain with pliers works great instead of a chain whip

[@degrootl]

I absolutely agree. I use this chain method and simply stand on the end of it to immobilize the cassette while my wrench releases the ring.

[@sunilkay7000]

Same thought crossed my mind. Thanks for sharing this

[@phatmeow7764]

Hey great video! May we know the exact specs/tip diameter of needle nose pliers that fits into the grooves of them lock ring? I see most needle nosed pliers marketed as "M10" would those work?

[@sakoudas]

you can not hold the cassette with your hands on an old bicycle. it requires a lot more torque.

[@absolutegeez4586]

Try standing on the cassette

[@chrisball3412]

I used the needle nose pliers and a towel over the cassette. Totally worked

[@thomasbrown2246]

Thanks for the video. I thought I would tell you that you said essentially 5 times & simply 4 time. I don't think I heard essentially 5 times in the last 10 years. good luck !

[@andy-the-gardener]

you dont need a chain whip. just a short length of old chain held in a mole grip works. id get the proper tool to remove the locking ring though. but the needle pliers looks ok, if you have them the correct size. if not you might as well just get the correct tool

[@wolfthequarrelsome504]

Why not use the bike chain?

[@andy-the-gardener]

@@wolfthequarrelsome504 i have used a chain whip many times since then. it makes the job pretty easy

[@RhysJonesredrooster]

Very NIce got me out of bind

[@lendumore]

My guy, you just saved me $125 at the bike shop plus labor!

[@UmarexLessLethalHomeDefense]

i made my own chain whip from a 12'' 2x2 piece of wood, just nailed the chains end in and the wood was the handle to hold after wrapping the chain around the casset

[@InCountry6970]

Nice trick, I will try it soon Thanks

[@saintless]

I keep an oil filter wrench (the kind with plier style handles) in my bag which works nicely in place of a chain whip.. throw a rag around the cassette first to protect it.

[@OIdiesCentral]

I have that plier but i was afraid to ruin its axle so i went with the screw driver and hammer technique because i have the chain tool.Many thanx,anyway.

[@bazzmcfury9550]

Well dude you've done me a solid I liked your advice. I was holding the cluster with a belt grip and had a monkey wrench to loosen the nut. It slipped and I took my ass out with a wrench to face when it slipped off 🤣. Nose is a bit crooked now but I'm wiser for the experience. Grabbing needle nose pliers as of right now 👍🏻

[@johnwhitley5255]

If you have a lathe easy problem. Make your own release nut. Turn a bar to internal dia of grooves. Reduce dia of bar three quarter inch's back from end of bar to able hacksaw space Divide bar end into numbers of locking grooves and hacksaw side of bar to match the end divisions. Worked a treat! Release nut available from China quite cheaply but wanted it done before dinner. Found putting tyre up against doorway provided a good holding force for release of ring.

[@festihead]

thanks for posting the vid mate, stopped me buying a tool! skip to 3.24 mins to see the way he did it peeps ;)

[@dtnineninety9406]

Quality job.

[@AdamRayGrayman]

I tried your method just now, I had the same tools, however using my hand was impossible to hold it, I even tried with a towel in my hand, also tried running a power cord around it and hold it, also the grip wasn't enough compared to the power needed to accomplish this.

[@ThatGoat]

The screw driver method looks pretty bad , i mean it looks like it will almost 100% damage the teeth on that ring ...

[@stevewallace6457]

I've already loosened it! Yea, great. Lots of help.

[@osmanonbush9051]

Thanks men this video really help me thanks for making this video bro

[@rm1991]

. I removed it using a pipe wrench but protected the teeth using the piece of chain - works well with no damage

[@vikingvic]

use a rag or old chain as whip. the nut remover costs like 2usd on ebay.

[@madwiggyNLD]

did it with a hammer and a flathead . i just place the wheel on the ground and semi stand on the gears so they wont move and hit the sorta hexapart couterclock and it will pop open . and i only did minor damage on the hexa part . tnkx for the tip how to do it different .

[@ianbrown_]

Always a good idea to keep some cash spare to buy yet another cassette when this goes wrong

[@ardesh007]

The first two ideas look like major damage like hit it with a bigger hammer. The player and hand I like .

[@KristinSordi]

I spent about $9 and ordered the socket on Amazon and it came in 2 days. It was still INCREDIBLY hard to get it loosened. I dont think any one of these techniques would have worked if you have a bike that is more than a few years old. To me it was worth it not to cause a more costly repair (i.e. a new cassette) to my bike.

[@norbertnagy5514]

Yeah, its good to get the tools if you otherwise damage it or you will be doing this more than once.

[@leedonnelly6217]

I tightened a g-clamp nto the teeth of the cassette, so that the handle was down into the forks. This prevented it from turning as I gently tapped a masonry chisel into the lock nut.

[@tristangamez9792]

Thank you bro your the best

[@MarzNet256]

I've done enough mucking about working on bikes without the proper tools-as a kid. It's not worth it. You can buy the lockring tool for like $7 on Amazon. You can easily damage components and yourself. Use the right tools. If you must you can use the pipe wrench with a few bits of wood to protect the teeth (if reusing cassette). You can also make a DIY chainwhip with some old chain. Also, the lockring needs to be torqued down pretty good when installing a cassette-good luck with that without the lockring tool.

[@MarzNet256]

The lockring does not get tighter with a cassette and freehub body. Hence the torque specs on the lockring itself. On the old system where the cogs are on a freewheel which screwed on to a freewheel hub, pedaling would tighten it up. These are two different systems for getting cogs on rear hubs.

[@bigmac3006]

Great vid!

[@jakeriot69]

Nice method mate!

[@sundal770]

Very nice!

[@peroduanippa]

I've got the tool somewhere but all I could find was the chain wrench, I tried the round nose pliers but it was too tight so I heated the locking ring with a gas torch and it freed off OK, the reason I wanted it off was to check it out, I'm going to weld sheet metal ring onto the smallest gear and convert it into single speed (it got an ebike kit so that's all that gets used)

[@Randorf100]

I use and old car wheel nut and a old bike chain and make a wipe chain that help a lot

[@thisisadebrown]

You can do it both of these ways, but to be honest with you with next day delivery from Amazon, you're better off waiting, you could both cassettes/ freewheels

[@nobodyhome7334]

GOOD LOOKING OUT

[@scottherzog9882]

just bought a bike from what looks like the 70's. I am looking to fix it up by myself. The wheels are dry rotted so I will need to put new wheels on and everything. I also will need to replace a spoke on the back wheel. It looks like I will need to purchase a freewheel removal tool. With that, I should be able to take it off and reuse it? Are there different types of freewheels, or can I pretty much purchase a universal freewheel removal tool. Last question: I do not have a "truing station" I think is what it is called, but I don't think it should be too difficult to create one. Do i need to True the spikes and wheel when I put a new tire on? Thanks, -Scott

[@Yourboye2]

Needle nose worked perfect!

[@matts882]

I just swapped my cassette for a new one using needlenose pliers. That was laughably easy.