I can’t see a way to remove the fixed hub but the other side has threads. Can I add a free wheel on the other side and essentially make a flip flop? What do I need to consider besides size if that is possible, when buying and installing a free hub?
Thanks for the help!
by CaptainDoze
6 Comments
Yes, you can add a freewheel. You can go as cheap as $17 for a Sturmey Archer brand, from modern bike. That’s cheap enough that you can experiment to find out what gear ratio you’re going to like best.
The freewheels come in 3/32 and 1/8 in thickness, and you would want to buy one that matches your chain thickness. Or, even if your chain is 1/8 inch, you could still use the thinner freewheels, which would probably be cheaper. If your chain is 3/32, then you would NOT be able to use a 1/8 inch freewheel.
The fixed cog does come off. You can see notches on that lock ring, and that requires a certain tool to remove. Then you need a chain whip to finally remove the cog. Most people with chain whips have them for 3/32 inch chains, like for multi-speed bikes. If that’s a 1/8 in thick cog, it would require a chain whip for that size.
These hubs are not made for a freehub gears. You can install a bmx freewheel that is the same teeth size as the fixed cog. You can remove the fixed cog..you need a chain whip to unscrew the cog. Hopefully that helps.
You can add a Freewheel. Tooth size options are (rare 13-14t )
Common is 16-18 tooth .
You can get a lockring tool to remove the fixed lockring and chain ship for the cog. Get a BMX freewheel in the size you want. Shimano or better if you want to be able to remove it. Cheap freewheels are a PITA
That won’t work as they are only meant to have a single cog. These are a flip flop wheels. So there are only used on track bike frames.
A single speed freewheel.