Freewheels : Shimano / ACS / White industries / Sturmey Archer / Dicta etc

I've had a couple of Shimano's and they don't deal well with bad weather. Recently tried a WI Eno and the difference is worth the initial cost. Either go cheap and replace them as they wear or try WI.

A WI would cost almost as much as the wheel set so think I'll go cheap. Interesting to hear the shimano is not much cop, assumed it would have been the better option.

My two Shimano's worked really well until wettish weather, then they were gritty and began skipping and not engaging. At some point it becomes dangerous to ride like that. So I was opening them up and regreasing every two months. They were loose bearings also. Once repacked they ran almost silent for a few weeks.

I also agree on the Shimano being poor in crapy weather, mostly use BLB and the SA which has served me well.

WI do show up on ebay and the classifieds on here fairly regularly. I've owned 4 I think, never bought new.

Shimano IME are just as shite as Dicta but several times the price.

Halo was nice, loud clicks and positive engagement, ran pretty smooth, definitely better than Shimano but about double the price I think? Had a cunt of a time getting it off despite greasing the threads, could have been due to using it for trials so lots of shock loading.

Really... just get WI and don't look back. I've had three which have been 100% maintenance and trouble free until the cog wore out. By the time you factor in replacing multiple MX30's over the same time it works out about the same/cheaper. And a handy side benefit is the Death Swarm Of Bees click is a great way to encourage peds not to step out in front of you.

Can't say anything bad for Sturmey Archer Freewheel
http://www.sturmey-archer.com/en/products/detail/sfs30-18

I got an sa in the end. Felt stiff straight out the box but it's buttery smooth after a bit of breaking in.
I guess winter with no mudguards will test its mettle.
All sizes in both 1/8 and 3/32 easily available was also handy.

Mind if I ask how your SA freewheel is doing 3 months on?

Might be needing a freewheel for a build I'm doing and would like something better than Dicta but not Clickster money.

Mine endured almost 2 years of Scottish commuting before it was fully gubbed. Replaced it with another but I switched to fixed before I had a chance to wear it out.

.

It’s just fine but I must confess it’s on a dry day bike so doesn’t get much abuse. It’s buttery smooth and just noisy enough to hum pleasantly when you coast.

@Drano, @edmundro

Cheers for the reviews. I might get away with the gearing with one of the WI ones I have actually but if not, will give an SA a try.

Not "spam", my google account sign on shows up as that. Anyway, I've read other posts here on this thread, ask myself, how can these SSFG freewheels ever wear out ? I mean if you oil the thing periodically, it's either pedalling for propelling the bike forward or taking a break for pedalling, is there any reason to free spin in reverse ? I only wish the Dicta I have was packed solidly full of grease, it would never wear out. I don't understand the logic of a WI costing 7-8X what a Dicta does, periodic tear down, grease & rebuild of a BMX durable freewheel used on relatively clean asphalt ? Ride the Dicta, replace it when it no longer works. Would that be every decade ? The only reason the OEM Chinese freewheel was replaced was that it was really defective on the bike and after looking at it, it was either missing bearings or the screw in covers some how got damaged and crushed in. It still worked though and I probably could've rode it even longer. The Dicta I have, it deosn't like water/wet rides either. But that's when you pour a little oil on it and let it seep into the internals. Works fine, like a freshly oiled chain does.

I only wish the Dicta I have was packed solidly full of grease, it would never wear out.

It’d also never engage.