The bicycle freehub is the mechanism that allows the rear wheel to turn freely when the pedals are not being engaged.
Located in the hub of the rear wheel, the freehub is what allows you to “coast” on a bike, meaning the wheels can keep turning while the pedals remain still.
Approaching a steep incline, you instinctively reach for the bike’s gears, knowing what to shift to to accommodate climbing a hill. But if you’re a beginner, you might be wondering how to shift gears on a bike.
Not just in terms of the physical act of gear shifting on a bicycle, but why you should do it, when you should do it, and how to fully understand the mechanics of gear shifting on a bike.
Freewheel? Cassette? Freehub? Ever heard of them?
They’re vital components on a bike. So if you don’t know (or want to learn more) you’re in the right place!
On any bike, there is a set of multiple sprockets that attaches to the hub on the rear wheel. The rear cogs consist of one of two different systems: freewheel vs cassette.
If you’re struggling to get up hills or “spinning out” on every descent, the chances are you could do with changing your bike gear ratios! You should be able to comfortably turn the pedals up any gradient (within reason – 30% is always going to be a challenge, regardless of gearing), and you should be … Read more
Knowing how to remove a bike cassette is something every cyclist should be confident in doing. It’s an easy maintenance task, but is critical for several jobs you may need to do on your bike. For example, you may need to remove a cassette from a bike to replace it if it’s worn, clean it … Read more
If you’re new to cycling, you might’ve overheard more experienced cyclists chatting about replacing or upgrading parts of their bike’s “drivetrain”. But what is a bike drivetrain, and what different bike parts does it include? To help you get to grips with your bicycle drivetrain, we’ll be covering: Ready for the lowdown on drivetrain bike … Read more