Cassette vs Freewheel

Cassette vs. Freewheel?   No real choice here.  The Avatar was made back when 126mm dropout width was standard so we are stuck with using a freewheel.  Since the late 80’s there seems to have been a need for more and more gears with the advent of MTBs with corresponding dropout widths moving to 130+mm.  The only new freewheels I am aware (update – see comment below) of are the Shimano units (made in China) and in my opinion are of questionable quality.  I use these and have, so far, not had any serious problems.  I prefer a lowest cog of 34.  Shimano makes two choices and only one has a 34 tooth low gear.  (14-34) Unfortunately, the 34 is considered a “bail-out” gear and the 2nd lowest gear is a 24 tooth.  I’d like something such as ….. 26-30-34.   Also, of the four I have used, all have a ‘clunk’ sometimes when engaging; relieved by momentarily allowing the freewheel to disengage, then re-engaging.  One was so bad, I had to return for replacement.  Too much play or poor manufacturing tolerances.  But, I have not (yet) been left high and dry.  Of course one could find older Sun Tour units on e-Bay.  I do like the Hyperglide® feature on the cogs of the new Shimano vs. the old days.  Does shift much better.  A more radical approach in order to use a cassette would be to bend the frame to accomodate but this is not where I want to go. You would need someone who really knows what they are doing.

A year or more ago I pursued the possibility that IRD (Interloc Racing Designs) still offered a freewheel choice.  Their freewheel offerings were “out of stock” and they advised me that they did not know “when, if ever”,  they would be available.

Well, I kind of forgot about it but recently decided to check back on their website and learned they now offer freewheels (in stock) for 5, 6, and 7-speed units.  I ordered a 7-speed ($69 plus shipping) and it arrived the other day.  In the near future, I plan to swap-out the still functioning Shimano along with a new chain on my everyday bike.  I’ll post my evaluation after giving it a good month or two of riding.  Hopefully there will be no “clunk”!

Finally, with a patch of lousy weather, I took the time to replace the old Shimano “bail-out” freewheel with the IRD unit and a new chain.  The unit has no “clunk” (surprise?!) and the shifting is fine.  Maybe on occasional shifts the old unit with the Hyperglide® cogs did a little better, but not enough to worry about.

Here are the gear comparisons:

Shimano   – 34  24  22  20  18  16  14

IRD             –  32  28  24  21  18  15  13

I had to give up the 34, but consider that minor.  Unlike the Shimano with Hyperglide®, this unit can be disassembled and parts appear to be available from Interloc.  Sprocket, spacers, pawls. etc.  All the inner gears (6) use a splined system on the special main body. The small outer gear is threaded which allows the entire assembly to be tightened.  I would imagine these units are also made in China, but hopefully are of much better quality. (updated February 2022)

It is now November ’22 and the IRD freewheel is working fine.  In fact, I decided to get another one and I installed it on my “trip” bike.  Went out to western Pa. again and rode a 100 mile section of the GAP.  No issues.

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