Having to keep pedaling all the time otherwise chain goes slack - Help?

[coffee_king]

Hi there
I'm afraid I don't know much about bikes, but my girlfriends bike has developed an issue that I hope someone can help me out with.

You have to keep pedaling the bike otherwise the chain goes slack and the derailleur moves towards the front of the bike and it all starts to get a bit caught up.
I asked a friend and he said he thought it might be the freehub body.

Any thoughts?
Many thanks in advance.

 

[oldroadman]

Hi there
I'm afraid I don't know much about bikes, but my girlfriends bike has developed an issue that I hope someone can help me out with.

You have to keep pedaling the bike otherwise the chain goes slack and the derailleur moves towards the front of the bike and it all starts to get a bit caught up.
I asked a friend and he said he thought it might be the freehub body.

Any thoughts?
Many thanks in advance.

Freewheel/freehub not working properly. Probably bunged up with muck. Solution - strip and clean, or if corroded, replace.

 

[coffee_king]

Thanks for the response.
Do I need any special tools for this?

 

[MikeG]

Thanks for the response.
Do I need any special tools for this?

Yes. You'll need to visit you local bike shop to buy the appropriate tool (it isn't expensive).

 

[coffee_king]

What is the name of said appropriate tool please?

 

[Tim Hall]

What is the name of said appropriate tool please?

If it's a freehub, you'll need a freehub lockring tool, chain whip and (usually) a big allen key. If it's a freewheel you'll need the appropriate freewheel removal tool and plenty of muscle. For either option you'll need a socket or spanner to fit the tool.

See the Sainted Sheldon for the difference between freehub and freewheel.

 

[Arjimlad]

..like this one for Shimano freewheels ..http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cyclo-Freew..._sim_sg_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=1RZGE2Y80H09F4AJBRT4

 

[mcshroom]

If it's a dead freewheel that needs removing, you might save yourself a lot of swearing (and possibly some spilt blood) by getting the LBS to remove it. Screw on freewheels are a pain to remove as they are continually tightened while you are riding them.

A simple first try might be to spray WD40 into the freewheel itself and leaving it to soak for a bit as it might loosen anything that's getting the pawls stuck.

 

[Leaway2]

I had to clamp the freewheel tool in a vice and turn the wheel.

 

[Hacienda71]

Check your jockey wheels as well. if they are not turning freely or the chain has come off one then it will make the chain go slack when you stop pedalling. The most likely cause though is the freehub or freewheel being sticky as said.

 

[oldroadman]

Good thought, jockey wheels are always worth a check and clean out, or simply replacing. Makes a difference. As the current thinking goes, marginal gains!

 

[JasonHolder]

My thought- you've put some grubby oil on the chain instead of proper lube. Nothing to be ashamed of.

It did that to me when I used baby oil on mine one time many years ago.
Pwahaha true story

 

[User6179]

Lift back wheel of ground and spin pedals , if the pedals keep spinning with wheel then its the freehub/wheel.

 

[ColinJ]

My chain kept going slack when freewheeling. It was caused by the gubbins holding the rear hub together being done up too tight, stopping the wheel freewheeling properly.

 

[oldroadman]

My chain kept going slack when freewheeling. It was caused by the gubbins holding the rear hub together being done up too tight, stopping the wheel freewheeling properly.

Good point - nothing worse than a tight gubbins