How To Remove Freewheel From Hub With No Spokes/Rim

[@LA3DPrinterRepair]

I made the mistake of disassembling my wheel before removing the freewheeel, luckily I was able to re-lace half the wheel, but I don’t have a vice to hold the tool… So we used a pair of C-clamps to brace a breaker bar on the bench, did the trick! Thanks for getting us over the hump!! 🗿👍🏻

[@keithschrack]

For all those asking, that is a flip-flop hub that can accommodate a freewheel or fixed gear on either side. If it came from a tandem, chances are it was intended for a spin-on drum brake. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flip-flop_hub

[@ministryoftruth8588]

RJ, I've never tried this but here's another idea that MAYBE MIGHT work for removing the freewheel in case you don't have any old spokes and a rim lying around. Cut a LONG piece of metal bar that's at least 1/16" - 1/8" thick and at least as wide as the Hub Flange. Cut a 'U' in the middle of the width portion of the bar so the middle of the hub slides into the 'U' of the bar and the bar seats flat against the hub. Cut this 'U' at one end portion of the long bar. Using the bar as a template, with a sharpie mark #8 spoke holes (half of the 16 spokes holes on a 32 spoke wheel) through the hub onto the bar. Drill the #8 holes (with a 2mm drill bit) through the bar so the holes line up exactly meshing up to the spoke holes of the hub. Bolt it together using #8 very thin nuts, bolts and washers, the strongest you can find. The nuts will have to be placed next to the freewheel. Using small washers might help for a stronger bond and prevent cracking or maring of the alloy hub. IF it fits, place the bar/hub combo in a Vice, clamping onto the bar only. IF it wont fit, clamp the freewheel tool (tool held in place by axle nut of QR skewer) and use the 'bar' as the wrench. Maybe worth a Video RJ?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I have seen similar suggestions often using wood and nails. It would require a different custom tool for different hubs. That is a lot of work. The spokes can be reused.

[@john-di1bn]

If you happen to have a disc brake hub with a threaded freewheel on it you can use two long M5 bolts bolted into the rotor mounts and have the bolts clamped on the vise and now you can remove the freewheel no problem (or do it the opposite where the freewheel tool is clamped on the vise and using a wrench to hold the bolts bolted into the rotor mounts of the hub as you rotate it counterclockwise.)

[@JoeyMesa]

I've had good success clamping the 2 flanges between 2 chunks of wood (2x4's) in a large vise, then use a 1" or whatever socket fits the freewheel tool, and break it loose with an impact gun. Works about 90% of the time and much faster.

[@trekkie9942]

A great usage for old spokes and rims which makes a great solution to an otherwise impossible task. 👍

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

A recurring question is why is this hub threaded on both sides. This hub is made for a tandem bike. It is threaded on both sides, one side for a freewheel, and the other side for a thread on drum or disc brake.

[@herosstratos]

Arai drumbrake: www.precisiontandems.com/arai.htm

[@rudyramos5911]

Great video RJ. I've always learned useful things here Thank you for sharing... ...all the best.

[@ckrachmer]

RJ...I can't figure out whether you're a god, or just the mfkin man. Thanks for presenting a practicable solution for literally every imaginable problem!

[@sperrtechnik]

i am now 29 years into bike repair and never had a solution for this problem, thanks man this is a great idea

[@teamoldguy3138]

Always surprises me people break down wheel sets with drivers still on the hub. Happens way to often!

[@kymmurray9098]

People seeing different opportunities for spare parts versus scrap metal is my take.

[@johnpossum556]

Excellent video for the parts scrounger type of DIYer.

[@juanpablolara3893]

Damm what a great idea thanks for the info man

[@crimsondova1096]

I actually use those spoke's for a emergency when im on the road its very helpful but i didnt know this yet so thank you very much RJ

[@PrabuddhaDasGupta1966]

Wow! Great video! Now to dig out that hub from my parts bin. 😀

[@e.stgo.7998]

Because of this I like to see your tutorials. 👍👍👍👍👍 GOD BLESS YOU 😇🙏🙏🙏😇THANKS

[@Bikeops2021]

Nice work RJ, not come across that problem before but as they say, one never stops learning, thanks for your time!

[@neilbain8736]

Very informative! I like the way these are formed. But surely it must matter if only to a ball park what length you should aim for when cutting them. The extra lever against the hub centre as a pivot is really crafty and ought to help support it too.That bit of angled channel is good for a production line. I've been there before. Here are my own observations. Firstly try the obvious and use the tool to see if the freewheel is only finger tight. It happens. Cranked spokes. They used to be a bona fide thing, form a supplier so you could replace them on the go without removing the free wheel. But if you only needed one or two you just measured from the threaded end back to the bend from any spoke that was too long and chopped it to size. 48 holers are tandem stuff and they can take a lot of force. If the block has an unusual remover and is to be scrapped, there is an easy way out. Remove the lockring- the ring with the writing and two diametrically opposite pin holes on it. It's the screwed bearing and it's a left hand thread too. It will separate and all the bearings will fall out. The pawls need removing too if they haven't fallen out because where they were leaves two diametrically opposite gaps that are idea for grabbing in a vice and removing the freewheel.

[@redalert2834]

These videos are great, so helpful! I'm hoping there will be another in the future explaining how to remove a freewheel from a hub with no spokes whilst riding a unicycle, juggling five balls and learning Swahili.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Great suggestion!

[@john-di1bn]

The Z-bend or S-bend spokes also works as a replacement spokes when you happen to snap one and you have no spare spokes available especially on smaller wheels, although it's not recommended to tighten it too much as it would just simply slip off the flange hole, potentially damaging it.

[@DM-bw3rd]

Hi rj could u do more bike restoring/projects and finds on mountain bikes because I love watching them thanks.

[@jjo3750]

Great solution, great video… all yours are ! Helps a lot, thank you !

[@WARDANT1]

Watch your back. Good leverage is essential. I had a two prong freewheel remover break. So I took the freewheel apart (RJ will probably cover this some day). Inside I found some nice flats that clamped in a vice. The freewheel could not be saved, but a nice reversible hub (fixed & freewheel) was. Remember, "Watch your back".

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eoKueGt8bLN_a7M kzbin.info/www/bejne/jaS5fWSOpr-pm5o

[@alvarezjnv]

Wow great work here

[@that70sschwinn]

That took some meticulous preparation fabricating the Z spokes...nice demonstration

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

With the jig, it didn't take too long. And I will save them for next time.

[@ssgameking3415]

Wow veary helpful thanks

[@berntfritiofulveborn3163]

Nice, never thought of lacing it up like that, good!

[@breedx2]

How to remove freewheel from hub with no spokes/rim? Easy! Add spokes and rim! :) All joking aside, thanks for the ingenuity and sharing this with the world!

[@chaotic_goodness]

I've used a rubber strap wrench to good effect.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Then yours was not tight. I have tried a strap wrench and it just slips.

[@chaotic_goodness]

Sooner or later I'll find one that's really jammed on there. Now I'll know what to do, in that case. Thanks, keep the vids coming!

[@mohamedboukrim]

شكرا لك 👏👍

[@ericpatterson8596]

Great job on freewheel !! Great Video too !!

[@hmartinspliff]

RJ The Bike -Guy- Genius

[@alanprice7584]

Hi, when I used to ride regularly with a touring club here in the UK we regularly carried spokes with an "S" bend, invaluable when you're miles from the nearest bike shop and a spoke breaks on the sprocket side. Not such a problem with a cassette hub I suppose but a real boon otherwise.

[@user-cd6ey7ku7n]

Another great video.. can you make a video about different carbon forks and bikes?

[@bob-ny6kn]

Trying to catch your eye to pass to you a video idea: *** Re-build a disc brake caliper. *** You have covered pad replacement, rim-to-disc brake conversion and cable-to-hydrolic conversion, but no "break-it-down, build-it-up" for the calipers. The few I have taken apart were for inspection (why was it not working?). On some I could replace a part or parts with other less-than-working calipers. Consider this for a future video? Thank you.

[@freeganjustin6699]

I once rebuilt a fixed cog wheel completely to get the cogs off. You'd have been useful to have around.

[@mariancio8553]

RJ: that is almost impossible to do RJ next second: imma teach you how to do it

[@christidmas3995]

So good.Often wondered how to do that.

[@rohemoriyama]

So great

[@ThisTimeTheWorld]

Ask any boat captain how rope can grip round metal objects. You may be able to improvise a strap wrench, by using a metal pipe, on the bare hub, by putting a soft rope through the pipe , tying a knot with about 1 ft of slack, twisting the rope loop over the hub center, then wrapping it till torque is applied.

[@tomreingold4024]

Well done, as always!

[@danygomes5402]

Good idea, nice video Btw I'm curious about that hub, it looks nice and beautiful but weird as it has threads on both sides

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I don't know. It's a tandem hub.

[@hectorperu28lima17]

Muy acertado !!!!

[@colinremmer2417]

Also, just a question, but could you put some heat on it to help loosen it and then try to unscrew it while it's still warm/hot or would that damage the hub?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Try it.

[@scottwaldo804]

I Managed To Remove Fixed Gear Cogs And Freewheels By Just Mounting The Opposite End Of The Axe Into The Fork End With The Wheel On The Outside Of The Frame

[@petermoger8135]

Have never needed to do this.. don’t think I ever will need to do this.. but still good knowledge to have laying around!

[@trekkie9942]

Almost at 200,000!!!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Getting there. :D

[@mischiftthecat8739]

@@RJTheBikeGuy hey so im 14 and have done many of bike repairs for friends and family and have kinda found myself with all these bike specialtry tools and well i even made a wood bike stand which has been amazing for me but i need youre help i have a 7speed cassestte and i plan on upgrading it but i cant because of the freehub so i plan on changing it with a 8speed hub because i found a ispeed wide range casstte i plan on putting on it the only prolem i have is do i need to change the spacers and will i need to redish the rim its such a small change i do not know

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

@@mischiftthecat8739 Best bet is to get a new (or used) wheel made for 8 speed. The spacing of the hub will likely be wider. So you have to make sure your frame will work with it. If it is a steel frame you can spread it. If it is an aluminum frame, you might just stick with 7 speed. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6jbdoOIoJh_fMk

[@mischiftthecat8739]

@@RJTheBikeGuy thank you

[@razvan4motion]

it works also with an impact wrench

[@grnmtns1]

I have a unique situation. The Freewheel removal tool, a new Parktool FR-1.3, in attempting to break the freewheel loose the tube that mates with the tool starts to skip. Something internal is not locking the tube to the freewheel mounting threads. This allows the wheel to turn counter clockwise without freeing the freewheel from the hub. Any options that don't destroy the freewheel? the wheel jumps several degrees and temporarily stops, like if using a removal tool with worn out splines.

[@domingosribeiro1283]

OK muito bom 👏👏👏👏👏

[@pablozuma1200]

Super cool, thank you!!!

[@Junior-fd8ux]

So I bought a gt race lace sealed hub excited to finally have a set and the freewheel is frozen on there .. can they legit freeze on there ?

[@user-nl5yc9ib1k]

nice job, you could put some steel nails on a wood board in a round shape to match the freewheel holes and try

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I have seen that mentioned. Have you done it? Seems like more work for something that may or may not work, and will not work on another hub unless it's the exact same size, and number of holes.

[@cledisonsilva9815]

Great job!

[@frankilpazzo1]

amazing

[@chrislukes9037]

RJ Is there a reason you didn't cross thread the spokes like you normal would on a rear wheel? Is this because you knew you would only be spinning in one direction (whereas an actual wheel would experience reverse force from braking)? I guess I thought lacing the threads in a cross pattern would help stabilize the spokes and help balance the tension as you twisted by hand.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I wasn't building a wheel. And I didn't need lateral strength. There would have been no point in doing al that extra work. It was just a temporary lacing to remove the freewheel. www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B004H1UA9Y/ref=nosim/youtube25-20

[@philipmarshall-cox2664]

If you had crossed the spokes, you would end up with only half the spokes bearing the turning force. You would be far more likely to pull a spoke through the rim or the flange. This way, the spoke length becomes almost irrelevant, meaning one set of "z" spokes will serve for any rim/hub combo.

[@harutanaka3647]

Hi RJ, I need to build a rear 7 speeds 700c wheel from spoke. Is gears side spoke shorter then the none gears side? So the wheel can be center on bike frame? I may already saw you discuss it in your video. I can not find it to review my knowledge.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B004H1UA9Y/ref=nosim/youtube25-20

[@joeg3741]

Neat. Never thought about the solution to this problem because I never had this issue to solve.. Query- what is the hub in this video? Seems to be threaded to have a freewheel on each side..

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

See pinned comment or description.

[@joeg3741]

@@RJTheBikeGuy very inventive. But now that everyone uses casettes you probably have less need for this trick.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

I am guessing there are way more bikes with freewheels then cassettes. :D

[@joeg3741]

@@RJTheBikeGuy on the whole yes- but cassettes are gaining..

[@AKASL1]

Great Idea!!

[@tobystanski6468]

can you make a Universal freewheel remover 1722/2BI video or sell for ?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

No such thing as a universal freewheel remover.

[@MarcLawrencePH]

I tried this earlier. Unfortunately it did not work. Spokes come undone when applying more force. Still stuck.

[@howto4820]

Awsome one

[@lindzee924]

Thank you for this helpful video. Love your voice, too :)

[@felipecorrea7876]

can u still use the rim after doing that? seems a bit rough

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

The rim is fine. The spokes were giving even pressure all around.

[@aldoclausi3955]

Looks look like a Dura Ace track flip hub that someone has installed a solid road bike axle!

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Nope. See pinned comment.

[@MangoJim90]

Super!!! Thanks

[@slideman.]

very interesting! thanks. what type of hub was that (I've noticed it has threads on both sides- why?)

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Not sure. I think it's a hub made for tandem bikes.

[@mat_hutchings]

RJ The Bike Guy since it’s a hub from a tandem, could the threads be for a drum brake? I know some older tandems had drum brakes, but not certain how they were attached.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

See the pinned comment.

[@scrapmetal100]

ever try an impact wrench instead?

[@ratroddiesels1981]

we liked this video it was interesting , freewheel is that what they use on track bikes at a velodrome ?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

No. Freewheel is what was before a cassette.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5TKq2Zjjd6Boas

[@poormansmtb5204]

Where do you come up with this stuff

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

This one came from a comment on another page where someone said they had used z-bend spokes. So I figured out how to make some z-bend spokes, and did it.

[@themadscotsman2159]

I have a disc wheel with a 6 speed block I can't get off, any tips? Thanks

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gYemgJ2Qadx2naM Or maybe you have one of these: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6u6in-YZ7eAhqM

[@themadscotsman2159]

@@RJTheBikeGuy Thanks for the reply, It's definitely a freewheel, I've tried fitting the removal tool in a vice and spinning the wheel to no avail, if i remember it took a chunk out of either the groove in the lockring or the tool itself when i tried it last time. Localized heat on the lockring or loads of penetrating oil may be the trick.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

What brand of freewheel is it? Is it one of the ones with 2 or 4 notches?

[@themadscotsman2159]

@@RJTheBikeGuy It is a Suntour winner freewheel with what appears to be a standard thread lockring and then a 2 notch centre piece.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

@@themadscotsman2159 I am not a fan of those notched freewheels. Especially the two notched ones. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eoKueGt8bLN_a7M

[@ChristianGenz]

Did this to my DA 7600 hub a couple of years ago and the body got twisted. I still weap tears every night.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

You were using this technique?

[@island66]

Done that before! Freewheels can be stubborn

[@Create_o_raptor]

I wish this video was out last week before i destroyed a hub..

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Ouch!

[@steffenstengardvilladsen3740]

Wow, that looks like a lot of torque was required. Nice trick. Could you not just keep the spokes in the rim afterward, and hook on the bend part of the spoke?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

You could potentially build a wheel with z bend spokes. But regular spokes would probably stronger. With some special pliers, you can do better tighter z bends that would be better than what I used. Z bend spokes are good for an emergency, like touring and breaking a spoke.

[@steffenstengardvilladsen3740]

@@RJTheBikeGuy I meant that it seems like you could keep the spokes in the rim and use it for the next hub with a stuck freewheel (you said you had several hubs with stuck freewheel). At 4:54 it looks like the spokes are only held in place because of the counter-clockwise rotation, so you could just unwind and pop the rim+spokes on to next hub.

[@mattsharpe3989]

Could you not just use an impact on the freewheel tool? I've heard a number of people complaint about having a hard time getting pedals(with the hex drive on the inner side) and crank bolts out because you need to fight against your own rotating force. All that trouble is eliminated with an impact..air or electric, I don't think I know anyone who doesn't own a cordless drill/driver, just pop a socket adapter in that and go to town...clever solution if your stuck with hand tools though

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

The main point of this video is the holding of the hub. Try an impact wrench. I am leery. A freewheel tool is not made for the impact. I have had one shatter just under torque. I have also had the notches on the hub tear out.

[@mattsharpe3989]

@@RJTheBikeGuy that makes sense, not every tool van handle the power...I've had my share of chrome sockets split wide open..

[@FacileAndBored]

Why does that hub have freewheel threading on both sides?

[@RaNd0Mk1D8o3I]

That other side is actually meant for disk brakes, lol

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Not sure. This I think this hub is made for tandem bikes.

[@hennartquentin]

why not use a strap wrench ?

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Have you tried it? I have. It's didn't work. It just slips. And even if it did hold, it's not long enough to to give any serious leverage. Did you see how much leverage I needed in this video? I am guessing you have never actually tried it.

[@hennartquentin]

​@@RJTheBikeGuy It was a suggestion, I did not try. Thank you for trying.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

I would have just put the freewheel tool into a 24mm socket on the end of my cordless impact. You can then hold the hub in your hand and use the impact to reverse the freewheel. This can be done while you hold it since each hit of the impact as it goes around will knock it loose.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

That sounds like a great way to end up int he hospital. Good luck with that!

[@1zanglang]

@@RJTheBikeGuy I guess that if the impact driver is used at very low speed, and the rim is clamped to the workbench , in at least 3 points it could work, without any danger.

[@bob-ny6kn]

Likes.

[@forevercomputing]

So... relace by any means necessary

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

There are other ways to do this, but this is relatively easy.

[@andrewlaubi4448]

Who did that to a track hub 😑

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

It's a tandem hub, not a track hub.

[@1zanglang]

I wonder who was the one who dislikes this video, and why...

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Two people now. No idea.

[@oooppiikkk]

solution to this spokeless issue: add spokes

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Yes, but not regular spokes.

[@antoniomoranprudencio9813]

Vaya chapuza tío ,, ni tú mismo sabes lo q estás haciendo Anda y haz las cosas bien y no líes a la gente

[@jordz2893]

Firrst