Upgrading to a 9 speed freewheel on our Specialized Alibi Comfort Hybrids

[@junboo8730]

This guy made a youtube video, changed a whole rear derailleur shifting in less than 23 explaining the process ha. It would take me 23 minutes only looking for my tools. When you have the experience, organization, tools and space this is what you can accomplish. Awesome expertise. Thanks for the video. Awesome format. The parts that I didn’t see was when you cut the chain specially where the two links start and ends and when you cut the housing of the cable for the curve.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

To be fair some of this was off camera, but I appreciate the kind words.

[@junboo8730]

Jamesthebikeguy Still that was nice. A friend of mine has an Orbea with 3 by 7. I’m going to show him this and look for some videos on how to go single chainring on front.

[@jayadams6567]

James, before discovering DNP Epoch 11-34 8 speed freewheel, I converted a couple of my bikes to the 14-34 Shimano TZ-31 7 speed freewheels because Shimano doesn't offer freewheels over 7 speeds. And just like you, I soon became disenchanted with the TZ-31 freewheels because it jumps from 24 to 34 teeth without the 28 tooth in between that's very useful. The DNP 11-34. 8 spped is in my opinion better than the DNP 11-32 9 speed because it's not extending the axel as much as the 9 speed freewheel, and doesn't put as much stress on the axel shaft. It doesn't require a 9 speed chain, it shifts well, and in most cases doesn't require changing the RR other than an adjustment. And best of all, it provides a 28 tooth gear that the Shimano TZ-31 7 Speed freewheel is missing. I also prefer the triple cranks on my bikes because I ride in very a hilly region and often rely on the 24 and 34 tooth ring gears to get me up some very steep and very long uphills.

[@MJQuintana]

I'm converting my folding bike to a 10 speed freewheel from 7 speed. Great video!

[@nzo_6543]

Cool! Well, does it worked out or not?

[@tommybdutton]

I would like to see more videos of you upgrading my bikes LOL, great job James

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Thanks, maybe you will!

[@JamyRyals]

Pretty cool mod, I had no idea how free wheel works differently. Nice vid James

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Yeah, it's a big consideration when buying a "low end" bike. Cassettes are far superior to a Freewheel, so it can make a big difference in durability. In this case, these were the bikes we wanted and that just meant we had to get it with a freewheel.

[@Rocky4719]

Those 14-34 tooth freewheels remind me of my Walmart bike days. Wasn’t very fun tryna pedal up all the hills in my area on that (also factor in the bike weighing close to 40 pounds). Also, the moment you said “Alivio derailleur” I instantly lit up. I love the Alivio groupset, it’s the best budget group Shimano has!

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Agreed. Alivio M4000 is dang nice for the low price tag!

[@Tonedefy]

Great video, looking to upgrade my ebike's 7 speed freewheel to 9 speed so I can take advantage of a rear derailleur with a clutch. Seems like freehubs/cassettes are not an option on geared hub ebike motors, only freewheel systems. Anyhow, appreciate the tutorial. How's the DNP holding up so far?

[@nzo_6543]

Me too! But with a 10 speed freewheel, I might bummed out on uphills.

[@latrace1986]

Thanks for doing this video - it's clear you spent a lot of time for preparation and editing. I picked up an old Specialized Street Stomper that's a six speed and didn't even know there was such a thing as a 9 speed freewheel. There are a few points in the video where maybe you misspoke or said something other than what you meant and I was a little confused about a couple of things.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Quimerateck]

Had to watch some Brazilian diy videos and they usually add a sealed bearing to share the load of the 9 speed freewheel

[@ih302]

Thinking about switching my old Schwinn Mesa GSX from 3 x 8 to 1 x 9 (11-34) but not sure what size front chain ring to use...

[@Not_Sure_]

is there any reason why you Can't use a friction shifter with a 7 speed derailleur with a 9 speed freewheel and 9 speed chain

[@shannonashby8145]

Nope

[@pico_anillo2258]

Trying to do this on my Cannondale quick 8, not going so smooth. The axle seems pretty short and the spacer is short and the frame is pinching against the freewheel and it doesn't spin correctly. What am doing wrong?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Likely need to re-space the hub and fish your wheel to make it fit

[@BrianRatcliffe]

@@Jamesthebikeguy what is fishing 🎣 a wheel? Having the same problem :(

[@jdillon8360]

@@BrianRatcliffe It's a typo. He meant to write "dish" the wheel. You tighten some spokes and loosen others to move the rim back to the centreline, if and when you add spacers to move the hub further away from the dropouts so it doesn't rub the frame. There are articles and videos online that explain dishing.

[@juanofficial_yt]

Hi sir! Is your hubs a thread type? How is it compatible with a 9 speed cogs? Thanks

[@kennoon7177]

That was fun and a great idea, just r and r the parts and let your LBS do the fine tuning- brilliant

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Thanks 👍

[@fareesebrahim1618]

Can i change 6 speed freewheel to 9 speed freewheel. My bike dropout size is 135mm

[@dmapp899]

Awesome video! Thank you for sharing!

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Thanks for watching!

[@stevegelman7838]

Great video, I am thinking of buying this bicycle, because of the flat proof tires but I am looking for a fast flat bar road bike, is this bike fast and how much does it weigh? Thank you for the great information.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Love the bikes, the tires are terrific and once broken in they ride well (50ish miles to get broken in). With that said this is not a "fast flat bar" this is a comfort bike/commuter

[@stevegelman7838]

@@Jamesthebikeguy can you recommend a fast bike for around $500.00 Dollars, kinda of don't have a lot of money but I really love a fast bicycle, I live in Florida where it is all flat. Maybe I can get a lightweight single-speed since there are no Hills I would really appreciate any recommendation you could for me thank you my brother

[@joelwijbrans13]

Were do i buy the freewheel 9 speed?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Your local bike shop

[@dominicanfueled]

Funny how not much information is out on freewheel that's higher than 9 speed, sadly I've brought a mountain bike without looking at the parts and of course it has a freewheel. Now I'm hoping to upgrade but would require a new wheels set, but I just found a Falcon FW-942 9 Speed 14-42T Freewheel on Amazon. Seems too good to be true but no reviews of it so I guess I got to take the chance. At least I can return it if it doesn't work.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Good luck 🤞

[@nzo_6543]

There is a 10 speed freewheel made by Sunrace with hyped me a little bit

[@WelshMullet]

I note you didn't have to spread the rear triangle. Was it already 145mm or does this fit inside a 135mm spacing?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

These bikes are 135mm spacing. I didn't change the hub so nothing needing to get "spread"

[@WelshMullet]

@@Jamesthebikeguy I was under the impression that the new freewheel would be physically wider than the old one, and thus need more room, does it not?

[@WelshMullet]

@@Jamesthebikeguy or are you saying these already have wide enough spacing to take larger freewheels?

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

The freewheel is not larger. 9speed has narrower chain/cog spacing. 145mm spacing is not a thing on analog bikes

[@WelshMullet]

@@Jamesthebikeguy my apologies, I need to be more awake and have my numbers right before commenting on KZbin videos. Measuring the bike I had in mind looks like the spacing is 140mm unless I'm measuring wrong or blind, both could be the case! Will have to buy one of these freewheels and give it a try

[@stevegelman7838]

What do you think of the specialized single speed road bike I heard it was fast just want to know if you had any information on it thanks

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

not sure

[@rahmataspuqatya7635]

great video... finally i found the vid that i really2 need for refference on my next project. before this, im not sure about upgrading 7 to 9! and EUREKA, im find this video...

[@user-rv8dw1wx6g]

Sheesh man I put 200+ miles every weekend on my trek 300 from 2006... Still goes strong.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Congrats

[@EllzDoingStuff]

why do bike shops take so long, this guy banging upgrades out in under 25min

[@joen3992]

DNP Epoch Freewheel 9spd 11-32 Nickel Plated is the exact name of the part James uses. From experience, this freewheel puts too much stress on the axle. Notice how it shifts rough? Your compressing 9 gears into a freewheel that maxes at 8. If your a casual rider it fine. Push it going up hills a lot, ride hard in winter and you will destroy the axle and freewheel. Its meant for e-bikes. Cheaper to upgrade to an Alexrim that accepts cassettes. Freewheels in 2020 should be avoided cause its very old technology from 30 years ago.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

All true. If you had a moment to watch the explanation, I said this. I went into why freewheels are not the best choice, and adding a 9 speed freewheel introduces the opportunity for failure. In the end I also mentioned the bike doesnt shift perfect, but for the gal and I on our hybrid bikes this is a nice upgrade from the Megarange.

[@bonzobanana1]

@@Jamesthebikeguy I'd agree strongly with Joe. Those look like nice bikes and you are a skilled mechanic but Shimano limit freewheels to 7 speed as anything less than perfect threading on the hub or inside the freewheel introduces wobble that makes dialing in the shifting much harder on 8 speed freewheels or more. You have problems dialling in the shifting and you have a 1x setup on those bikes, just imagine how much worse it would be on a 2x or 3x setup. Also 11T on a freewheel for a small internal pawl mechanism takes serious engineering quality which DNP are not capable of. Shimano recommend a minimum 14T for western markets because we are heavier and also a 13T more aimed at Asian markets and children's bikes. 11T matches cassettes. I remember reading in a forum someone who bought a Claris road bike with an 8 speed cogset but could not dial in the shifting it was always garbage and it turned out he didn't have a 8 speed cassette and freehub he had a 8 speed freewheel and it was impossible to dial in due to poor manufacturing tolerances. I would suggest you spend the extra money and get a freehub rear wheel with 9 speed cassette and sell on the current wheel, it will give you far more strength at the rear of the bike and much crisper shifting which will work better in all weathers. I currently see this as a downgrade because you have replaced a well-engineered Shimano component with a poor Chinese low grade part in my opinion. I don't know how much it will cost for your local bike shop to attempt to get the shifting right but it may not last and that money would be better spent on a better wheel with freehub which I'm sure looking at your skills you can dial in yourself without a single problem. I have to say I am a heavy rider myself and very anti-freewheels for obvious reasons they don't take weight well so maybe I am over-stating the issues. However those are hybrid bikes so are meant to be usable for light off-road use and a little bit of light abuse and I feel the DNP freewheel has reduced that capability. Maybe ebike motor hubs don't wobble like standard threaded hubs but personally I would never touch an ebike with any freewheel let alone a 9 speed freewheel. A freewheel nowadays is a bottom end product only, only really used on low end adult bikes and ebikes plus higher end childrens bikes where its more than capable of dealing with the weight limit of only 50kg riders or less. Last of all this is not a cheap option, these freewheels will need much more frequent replacement and you will spend more time on maintenance of the bike dialing in the shifting and your time has a value so I would say its a false economy. Still an interesting video which I enjoyed though.

[@Blame.CRomer]

Sorry to necro, but speaking of ebikes...so many of these cheap hub-drive ebikes are coming with freewheels (ugh - I hadn't even thought of it, since I have not run across freewheels in so long). Since it's the same throw, I kept the DnP Z34T and upgraded the derailleur to a Shimano Alivio RD-M3100 9 speed (replacing Altus 7sp) and shifter to an Altus SL-M315 7sp (replacing the craptastic Tourney 7sp that is on nearly anything with a twist throttle - I converted to thumb). The Shadow tech RD keeps the chain better tensioned (also down to 122 links versus 128, thanks to dropping 14t on the chain ring as well - high power ebikes and their insane gearing) with longer chains. The low profile Shadow is a little noisier with a 7 speed width chain, but has been working acceptably for ~700 miles. So with the context out of the way, Joe, how much wider are the 9 speed freewheels? More specifically, is all that spacing outward, hence the additional stress? I was looking at a DnP 9 speed (I think it's a ST1990 per web sales, or a LY-1109MFN on the DnP site), versus the DnP Z34T (LY-1007MFN on the DnP site, I believe). Like others have mentioned, the detailed specs are sorely lacking. I was thinking of trying to squeeze in 9 speeds before I discovered it was a freewheel and thought it was a dead end. Obviously, it should be relatively the same (cassette versus freewheel for the gear spacing), but I wasn't sure if freewheels have any tricks, like cheating the spacing inwards a bit. There just seems to be so much space inward versus my bikes with cassettes, but that is probably more a factor of the hub motor design. Since it's a hub drive, upgrading the wheel is more of a challenge. That's my fault for not paying more attention to the limitations of these designs. The cheap front wheel is definitely going to get replaced though.

[@TheLAKERSareGodsTeam]

Rim brakes!

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

atrocities

[@shahbanu_empress]

"These must have 500 miles or so on them." You are looking for rules 24, 81, and especially V.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

I don't get it.

[@Samsonmetaphysical]

When it comes to bicycle chains, KMC is the name of the game.

[@Jamesthebikeguy]

Why is that?

[@Samsonmetaphysical]

​@@Jamesthebikeguy Because I fucken said so, that's why and the Lord of the game told me so. That's how I know!