Cassette vs freewheel

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Traditional rear hubs have a standardized set of threads that a freewheel or sprocket cluster can be screwed onto. This meant any brand of freewheel could be mounted on any brand of hub. The extractor splines do not turn when the sprockets are spun backwards. Freewheels come with sprockets bolted together, without possibility of swapping them. Pretty much all bikes made through the late 80s used this system. Over the past few decades, the cassette replaced the conventional threaded rear hub.

Cassette vs freewheel

The terms "freewheel" and "cassette" are often used interchangeably, an error that causes a lot of wasted time and money. The cassette Freehub incorporates the ratchet mechanism into the hub body although the ratchet mechanism is still replaceable. When you wear out the sprockets on a Freehub, you replace the sprockets only, not the ratchet mechanism which typically lasts much longer than the sprockets. The sprockets are commonly sold as a set, called a " cassette ". The sprockets in a cassette are usually held together by three small bolts or rivets for ease of installation. These bolts or rivets are by no means necessary, they just make it easier to keep the sprockets and spacers in the correct order and position when they are removed from the ratchet body. Individual sprockets are also available. Shimano Cassette Freehub, showing characteristic bulge on the right side of the body. Not all Freehubs have this bulge, but whenever you see it, you can be sure that it is, in fact, a cassette Freehub. Reports of the demise of this Web site are greatly exaggerated! We at sheldonbrown. Harris Cyclery has closed, but we keep going. Keep visiting the site for new and updated articles, and news about possible new affilations.

Before switching from a freewheel to a cassette, cassette vs freewheel, you must ensure that the bike's fork and frame are compatible with the new system. The simplest way to know if you have either a freewheel or cassette is to look at the rotating action of the innermost tool fitting:. Freewheels for Threaded Cassette vs freewheel Traditional rear hubs have a standardized set of threads that a freewheel or sprocket cluster can be screwed onto.

The rear cogs gears are attached to the hub by two different hub systems:. Although cassettes and freewheels perform the same function allow you to coast when you stop pedaling and look almost identical, they have significant mechanical differences and are NOT interchangeable. What is the main difference between freewheel and cassette hub? The freewheel is a single-unit and the act of pedaling tightens the freewheel to the hub. Whereas the cassette hub is a set of gears cogs that slides onto a cassette and is held in place by a lock ring. Both the cassette and freewheel have a FreeHub, which is responsible for coasting.

If you have ever jumped on your new bike and you feel something is not right, you might have an issue with the gearing of the bike. Many people compare the bike cassette to the freewheel, which could be frustrating. You will need to understand both basics if you want to get the best results from cycling. Bike cassette vs. The freewheel and bike cassettes look very similar and operate similarly. The freewheel is the older of the two, and the bike cassette is what is used in modern bikes. Both of these work similarly, but the ratcheting mechanism on the freewheel is more pronounced. Due to the additional versatility of the bike cassette, it offers the rider more flexibility. While this is just a brief description of both, we should consider how they are different and which is better. This article aims to help you better understand some of these differences and allow you to see which one you should choose.

Cassette vs freewheel

They both function the same in that they mesh with the chain to turn the rear wheel and thus propel the bike forward when you pedal. But freewheels and cassettes are different in design and construction. Cassette clusters are the newer technology, and most modern multi-gear bikes come with cassettes rather than freewheels. The bicycle I rode across the United States back in had a freewheel with six cogs in the cluster. The bike I rode five years later on US Rt. Both bikes were loaded for self-supported touring and both did the job without a problem. The big difference between freewheels and cassettes is where the ratcheting mechanism is located. That mechanism is what allows you to coast.

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Not all Freehubs have this bulge, but whenever you see it, you can be sure that it is, in fact, a cassette Freehub. Some cassettes do come with sprockets held together with bolts or rivets, but these are just for easier mounting — they can be removed without affecting functionality, so that individual sprockets can be swapped. Cassettes are lighter than freewheels. Remember, cassette systems are more expensive; however, they're generally more reliable, so you'll get great value for the money in the long run. Share Share. Free Hub - The first widely successful commercial cassette hub was developed in by Shimano. E-Bikes Accessories New in Review. Refer to our Privacy Policy for more information. This allowed any brand of freewheel to be mounted on any brand of hub. Freewheel is both a verb and a noun. As for road bikes, you can have an 11, 12, or teeth small-size sprocket or a 21 and tooth large-size sprocket. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Join Our Community. So, you can find out the difference by checking the rotating action of the innermost fitting.

Traditional rear hubs have a standardized set of threads that a freewheel or sprocket cluster can be screwed onto. This meant any brand of freewheel could be mounted on any brand of hub. The extractor splines do not turn when the sprockets are spun backwards.

If you're a casual rider on a tight budget, the freewheel is the best bet. If you wore out your sprockets, or wanted different gear ratios , you could unscrew the cluster and install a new one. Also, ensure you crunch the numbers and decide if you'll be better off getting another bike. Does Cycling Burn Belly Fat. Navigation What is a Freewheel? The simplest way to know if you have either a freewheel or cassette is to look at the rotating action of the innermost tool fitting:. The number of teeth on the largest cog determines the various sizes of cassettes that are available. The terms "freewheel" and "cassette" are often used interchangeably, an error that causes a lot of wasted time and money. The main distinction between these systems is that the freewheel is a single piece, and pedalling tightens it to the hub. The very end of the rear hub differs for each type, so it is easy to identify the standard, even before removing sprockets. You also need tools used on cassettes and freewheel if you want to exchange them. Support: support.