Freehub vs. Freewheel

[el_d00der1n0]

SS Question:

What's the difference ridewise? Does one engage better than the other?

[thephat]

It depends on what you are comparing. You basic frewheel is basic, and so is your basic freehub. If you are looking at King hubs, the freehub will engage really well. if you are looking at a white industries freewheel, it is pretty nice too. Your basic ACS, or Shimano freewheel is more on par with mid to low end Shimano Freehubs.

[el_d00der1n0]

Originally Posted by thephat

It depends on what you are comparing. You basic frewheel is basic, and so is your basic freehub. If you are looking at King hubs, the freehub will engage really well. if you are looking at a white industries freewheel, it is pretty nice too. Your basic ACS, or Shimano freewheel is more on par with mid to low end Shimano Freehubs.

so, if i put a 75 dollar white ind. freewheel on a 125 dollar paul word, it would engage as well as a 500 chris king?

[dubjay]

Originally Posted by el_d00der1n0

so, if i put a 75 dollar white ind. freewheel on a 125 dollar paul wood, it would engage as well as a 500 chris king?

Not exactly. The ENO freewheel has 36pts of engagement vs. Chris King's 72. The ENO does come in a trials version with 72 pts of engagement but I think it only comes in one size - 18T.

One benefit of a freehub (most) is that it'll allow you to fine tune your chainline.

[grk]

The white industry freewheels are very nice--I don't think you will have any engagement issues even without the trials version.
The biggest difference between freehubs and freewheels is how often you plan to swap out components. Freewheels are a pain to take on and off and they require you to adjust chainline at the cranks/bottom bracket. If you use one freewheel and keep the same cranks for a while, they are a cheaper and very clean option. If you want to try out different stuff, the freehub will be a better choice.

[FoShizzle]

i honestly prefer freewheels...i dont at all understand people saying it takes longer to swap....definitely about the same for me. With the ACS freewheels remover its completely trivial. ENO freewheels rock and just feel perfect to me...i really miss mine

[ryandood]

i have no idea what the difference is between the two.... f'n noob

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by FoShizzle

i honestly prefer freewheels...i dont at all understand people saying it takes longer to swap....definitely about the same for me. With the ACS freewheels remover its completely trivial. ENO freewheels rock and just feel perfect to me...i really miss mine

Don't you first having to get a bike that is your size?

[el_d00der1n0]

Originally Posted by ryandood

i have no idea what the difference is between the two.... f'n noob

http://sheldonbrown.com/free-k7.html


What will we do without Sheldon Brown?

[FoShizzle]

Originally Posted by dstepper

Don't you first having to get a bike that is your size?

haha...yep, that is a freewheel on my runt. however, i have not yet upgraded it to a WI or perhaps I can see if I9 makes wheels for it

[foofighter]

Originally Posted by el_d00der1n0

so, if i put a 75 dollar white ind. freewheel on a 125 dollar paul word, it would engage as well as a 500 chris king?

ahem..brian i have a 20t white industries freewheel that's practically new that i got when i bought a wheelset make you good deal no tax

[el_d00der1n0]

Originally Posted by foofighter

ahem..brian i have a 20t white industries freewheel that's practically new that i got when i bought a wheelset make you good deal no tax

oddly enough, after all of that trouble looking for a 20t cog, i've found 18t is just perfect for me.

[DeeZee]

Just do what I do.......Find out what FoShizzle thinks and do the exact opposite.

Free HUBS

If you want to change gears the cogs are way cheaper than freewheels.

[brownlandshark]

You are more likely to break an axle on a freewheel set up than a freehub.

[Abui]

Originally Posted by foofighter

ahem..brian i have a 20t white industries freewheel that's practically new that i got when i bought a wheelset make you good deal no tax

I traded my W.I. away for cogs. Freehubs forever.

[hoovermd]

Originally Posted by Abui

I traded my W.I. away for cogs. Freehubs forever.

Got any left? It is Freewheels for me.
Flip flop hubs too!

[drew12]

Originally Posted by el_d00der1n0

http://sheldonbrown.com/free-k7.html


What will we do without Sheldon Brown?

Thanks.
Even after reading the posts earlier, I had no idea what the diff was.....

Never actually seen a freewheel before!

[Burner]

I've got a pretty much new 20T WI Freewheel I'd sell..... just have to find the damn thing.

[BoingBoing]

Originally Posted by ryandood

i have no idea what the difference is between the two.... f'n noob

Well, I went to my LBS and neither one is actually "free."

I'd say a freehub has the rachet thing that allows you to coast in the hub.
A freewheel has the rachet thing in the gear cluster.

[FoShizzle]

Originally Posted by Burner

..... just have to find the damn thing.

that's what she said...