clanky freehub; safe to ride?

[alecstilleyedye]

freehub on commuter is clanking and halfords have to order the replacement part in.

is it safe to ride with a clanking freehub while i wait for the repair?

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Since clanking is such a precise term and we can visualise exactly what's wrong with the freehub, it is of course safe to not ride with it.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

it spins ok but makes a noise not unlike that made by shaking an aerosol spray paint canister...

 

[Yellow Saddle]

it spins ok but makes a noise not unlike that made by shaking an aerosol spray paint canister...

Ride it.

 

[andrew_s]

Second worst case is that it goes into freewheel both ways mode when you're 20 miles from home, somewhere with no phone service.
Worst case is that it does so when you are out of the saddle, and drops your crotch on the top tube before you get to worry about how to get home.

Most likely, it will just carry on making clanking noises.

 

[Ajax Bay]

is it safe to ride with a clanking freehub

I invite you to share with us the possible outcomes of a freehub that fails on you and how you would cope with those situations, out on a ride or during your commute. Perhaps we'd then be able to appraise the levels of safety in the situations you describe..

 

[alecstilleyedye]

Second worst case is that it goes into freewheel both ways mode when you're 20 miles from home, somewhere with no phone service.
Worst case is that it does so when you are out of the saddle, and drops your crotch on the top tube before you get to worry about how to get home.

Most likely, it will just carry on making clanking noises.

i’ll just baby it and sit and spin up the climbs then

 

[Gary E]

...or the loose bit inside migrates to a position where it locks up the freewheel and you're suddenly riding a fixie

 

[ColinJ]

Second worst case is that it goes into freewheel both ways mode when you're 20 miles from home, somewhere with no phone service.
Worst case is that it does so when you are out of the saddle, and drops your crotch on the top tube before you get to worry about how to get home.

The worst case in that scenario is to go over the bars and land on your head! (It happened to me when a bike slipped out of gear in a sprint and it hurt me - A LOT! )

 

[winjim]

I'd take it to bits. But I enjoy taking things to bits.

 

[roadrash]

I'd take it to bits. But I enjoy taking things to bits.

but the question is......are you any good when it comes to putting them back together again

 

[winjim]

but the question is......are you any good when it comes to putting them back together again

I broke all my toys when I was a kid, taking them apart to see how they worked. I've got a bit better since then but the urge to dissassemble is still strong and sometimes overrides my mechanical competence.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Not sure if I mentioned it yet, just ride it.

 

[Sharky]

...or the loose bit inside migrates to a position where it locks up the freewheel and you're suddenly riding a fixie

This has happened to me. Not quite a "fixie", but the freehub continues to rotate, even though you stop pedalling and the chain bunches up and unships itself from the chain wheel. In my case taking it off and re-oiling cured it.

 

[Tangoup51]

freehub on commuter is clanking and halfords have to order the replacement part in.

is it safe to ride with a clanking freehub while i wait for the repair?

Is that the boardman you mentioned in the other forum you had? The issue being water washed out the grease? If so, yes, it's absolutely fine.