How to Remove the Cassette or Freewheel from Bike Wheels

In this video I demonstrate how to take off and reinstall the rear sprockets from bicycle wheels. I have covered both the removal of the thread on free-wheel type of system typically found on older and lower end bikes, as well as the freehub and cassette type system typically found on newer and higher end bicycles. I also teach you a quick way of identifying which type your bike uses. These two systems are NOT compatible with each other. I've included some techniques for removal when the parts are very badly stuck.
This is a useful skill to have for swapping between different gear ratios, for cleaning your cogs, and for performing other bike maintenance tasks including changing a broken spoke.
How to Remove the Rear Wheel: • How To Remove The Rear...
How to Fix a Broken Spoke: • How to Fix a Broken Sp...
Stopping a Chain Whip from Slipping: • Trick for Stopping a C...
How to Remove a Freewheel (old video): • How to Change a Freewh...
For the Freewheel type of system, the tools recommended include:
-A Freewheel Remover tool which fits your freewheel (visit your local bike shop).
-A sized wrench that fits onto your Freewheel Removal tool.
For the Freehub and Cassette type of system, the tools recommended include:
-Cassette Lockring Tool (visit your local bike shop).
-A sized wrench that fits onto your Cassette Lockring Tool.
-Chain Whip
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:51 Identification
1:44 Freewheel Background
2:53 Freewheel Removal
6:49 Freewheel Installation
7:26 Cassette Background
8:56 Cassette Removal
11:17 Cassette Installation
If you have any questions about this procedure, please leave a comment below.
I hope you enjoyed this video. Please COMMENT and subscribe!
Thanks for watching.

[@carlfrisen7705]

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!

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, I appreciate your kind words.

[@rickwalltheoutlaw]

I agree

[@savipv8491]

@@cjhoyle can i move 24" 7 gear Cassette to 26" rim?

[@savipv8491]

@@cjhoyle can i move 7 gear Cassette to 5 gear Cassette rim?

[@ivans3806]

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]

Thank you. I seek to teach everyday average people how to work on their own bikes, which hopefully can remove one of the barriers of cycling.

[@ivans3806]

@@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)?

[@GorillaZillas]

@@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!

[@OldNavajoTricks]

100% agree, this teaching style is bang on.

[@daveyJ213]

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.

[@joshlloyd2898]

Man you’re by far the best instructor for bicycles. Love your stuff

[@G7Beagle]

Excellent video describing the process of replacing bike rear cogs. Thank you for the lessons.

[@luisord93]

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!

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, I appreciate the kind words.

[@alysonbroberg7771]

Well done. Clear, concise, thorough. I thought I knew how this worked but you explained a lot that I didn't know. Thank you!

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks! Glad it helped.

[@1993StrimGT]

Sir, outstanding video. Thorough af, with no extra jazz. Perfect

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, glad to hear!

[@offgrid2010]

Very helpful. Thank you especially for the side by side comparison.

[@JordensCadet]

Beautifully explained

[@martinwarner1178]

You are a great tutor, clear, precise and everything covered. Thanks.

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, I'm glad it was helpful!

[@kingdomculture5743]

This was great! This is what I needed for my mountain bike repair! Now...that special tool! Thanks!

[@PaulWhitcomb-ty6md]

Thanks. This worked perfectly. It's hard to find videos on correct chain-whip procedure.

[@benws8246]

Great to see you doing maintenance videos again. 😀

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, glad you're enjoying them.

[@OldNavajoTricks]

In a sea of cog removal videos this is an island, thank you so much🤘

[@musamor75]

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.)

[@cjhoyle]

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.

[@kevinbourke4038]

Thankyou for this video. And thankyou for correctly naming the gears as sprockets, not cogs. Cogs are found on old worn out farm tractors !

[@Tony-ks8fr]

Thank you for your awesome video! Really clear instructions and this helped me out tremendously! Cheers!

[@febinjoseph9544]

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

[@cjhoyle]

Nice work!

[@zxdfty77]

Regarding the freewheel removal: 🌟 BEST explanation EVER!!! Wow! Now I've got it, even if it's tricky. 😊 Thanks a lot!

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks!

[@ehinspections]

Thank you for sharing, great job explaining the steps of the job!

[@cjhoyle]

Not problem, glad it was helpful!

[@michaelpaciello433]

Thank you CJ. I viewed your video and fixed my problem wheel.

[@cjhoyle]

Awesome, nice work!

[@inmyfreetyme]

Very good detailed explanation for both methods. Came in handy. Thanks 4 sharing! Cheers !😎😎

[@olsterful]

This is a seriously clutter free and useful video. My goal is now to make the rest of life this clear....

[@cjhoyle]

haha thank you.

[@ericlemarec]

excellent video, well done. Thanks for your contribution

[@kriscolumb3551]

Great material! Thank you

[@rickwalltheoutlaw]

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

[@cjhoyle]

Nice work! Thanks.

[@MrScruffybird]

Thanks your tutorials are great & easy to follow. I subscribed!

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[@fluffball83]

Now that's a proper video 👍 thanks mate

[@bbbart77]

Nice to see you are doing well at this crazy time.Stay safe.

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, same to you!

[@i3i2i4N]

Excellent how to video

[@bashsharif8272]

Excellent, thanks for sharing, helped me do the job in less than a minute.

[@cjhoyle]

No problem. Nice work!

[@thetruthz13]

Clear, helpful vid .. just what I needed 👍

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks!

[@johnpanik7511]

Excellent video and content. Thanks so much

[@cjhoyle]

No problem, happy to help!

[@Crimprod]

Ty for making the only video that didn’t confuse me 😂

[@robletto841]

Nice job!! Thank you

[@elnasty555]

Good video, it was exactly the info I needed.

[@cjhoyle]

Glad to hear, thanks!

[@tuliobenavidez9952]

I'm a brand new subscriber sir,, thanks for your teaching and stuff,, Much appreciated Las Cruces NM

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks! Glad you found it helpful :)

[@TheDrewmagoo]

You are brilliant. Thank you for your advice.

[@cjhoyle]

No problem. Thanks!

[@colinjones7916]

thank you very much you've been very helpful and you explained it perfectly

[@cjhoyle]

My pleasure, glad it was helpful!

[@joefriday950]

Thank you so much for this video. You did an excellent job. Please do more videos like this.

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks I appreciate it. I have dozens of other bike maintenance tutorials.

[@joefriday950]

@@cjhoyle You explain things very well so the average person can understand it.

[@ThatGuyZeb]

Thank you. Very very helpful.

[@cjhoyle]

No problem, glad to hear!

[@bobbo9549]

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.

[@mananganaldwin8410]

very helpful and easy yo understand thank you

[@cjhoyle]

No problem, thanks!

[@saprophytics]

Thank you so much! I'm putting my bike back together and hitting the road

[@cjhoyle]

Nice work! No problem.

[@theinflationsituation8870]

Nice explanation, bro!

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks!

[@biggarcon]

Excellent video!

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks!

[@ollierobin]

Bouncin' up and down on that wrench made my day! Gotta go bounce one off myself! sub'd.

[@andrewtongue7084]

Excellent !!

[@ReodorF1]

Nice video is it possible to change from the old type cassette to freewheel from a spare bike with same gear and size tire?

[@chisauking]

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.

[@cjhoyle]

Glad it was helpful. Thanks!

[@mrsmith5102]

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

[@cjhoyle]

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.

[@fmattei2370]

You still have the same green bike from the original video on freewheels. Awesome.

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks. Much of that bike is the same as it was back then too.

[@sdqsdq6274]

damn that comparison video help me understand , u the man

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, I'm glad it was helpful!

[@TheSupercollier]

This is useful thank you

[@cjhoyle]

Thank you!

[@levitate3389]

Great video, very helpful. How do you get the ratcheting hub bit off the freewheel one?

[@cjhoyle]

I actually don't have a video on that procedure yet myself. Search for "freewheel body removal".

[@ColinForBooks]

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?

[@cjhoyle]

I'm glad to hear! You swap between loose ball bearing and caged bearings, but I'm not aware of a way to switch them to cartridge bearings.

[@johnthompson3453]

Great job!

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks!

[@R3FL3X84]

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?

[@brettlessard2532]

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

[@kasirbarati3336]

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.

[@cjhoyle]

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.

[@brianwatterson1890]

Thank you!

[@cjhoyle]

No problem!

[@mikelandry3375]

Thank you CJ

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks.

[@sadikahsan5802]

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.

[@cjhoyle]

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 "

[@markgiles973]

Really informative and easy to understand. Thank you

[@cjhoyle]

Glad to hear. Thanks.

[@josetapia8330]

Mr. you're simply the best of the best. Thanks!!!

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks, you're too kind.

[@jesusguzman8127]

Cool video

[@cjhoyle]

Thanks.

[@Gk22632]

Are all freehubs on cassettes universal?

[@rayegallentine3187]

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 ?;

[@cjhoyle]

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.

[@davidtoth6568]

Why i cant remowe mine like u (around 11minutes of a video)? i can open a very little bit, and nothing. can u help me? sorry for my bad english.

[@NonLegitNation2]

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?

[@cjhoyle]

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.

[@NonLegitNation2]

@@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.

[@NonLegitNation2]

@@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)

[@Banzai83]

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.

[@cjhoyle]

Yes, it sounds like you are missing a spacer.

[@jeebushaha9905]

thank u sir

[@cjhoyle]

No problem, thanks for watching.

[@calvintanner7897]

What happens if a tire liner gets caught in the chain cassette?

[@t34_guy90]

thx

[@pault477]

Dude - you look like that character on Shetland.

[@cjhoyle]

Cool, which character?

[@sherrieaugusta3160]

Is there any way to separate the different sprockets?

[@cjhoyle]

With cassettes the sprockets can normally be separated, but not freewheels.

[@CharlesTaylor-js7cv]

Can a cassette go bad is there any reason why you would want to change your cassette

[@balengbaliw8190]

Wher did you buy the whrench

[@cjhoyle]

It's just a 1" wrench which I bought from the hardware store.

[@gregp4744]

Where can I find a freewheel remover

[@Chefchen21]

hmm,left Hand on 2 Clock Position.Please can you made a Video for use the RIGHT Hand???

[@alphalunamare]

5:13 Watch Your Nuts! :-)

[@nsjohnston]

The 'correct' term for a spoke protector is Dork-Disk.

[@cjhoyle]

haha I had been considering mentioning that term in the video, but the truth is, I actually like spoke protectors.

[@SwitcGZ]

What if u don't have the tool

[@cjhoyle]

I recommend taking it to your local bike shop and asking them.

[@Judogzero]

or what if you get a tool from ali express that doesnt work?(My 12 teeth cassete remover tool seems to have shallow teeth)

[@roadstar499]

No way ....i just tried using special tool on my impact...these are really on tight...yours was not obviously.

[@blargithonify]

I turn the freewheel tool, and it just moves a bit at a time and clangs, doesn't unscrew

[@cjhoyle]

Are you sure your bike has a freewheel? That sounds more like what a cassette would do.

[@coldcrush1]

I'm working on a 1996 Shimano cassette so that's 26 yrs of getting tight. The damn thing is basically welded on now.

[@cjhoyle]

Sometimes they definitely can be really difficult to remove!

[@longviewkelsolinesRR644]

Hahaha just take the dork disc off its pointless i take them off all the time.

[@cjhoyle]

They are most definitely not pointless. They serve an useful purpose, and the only downside seems to be people calling them derogatory names.