Park Tool FRW-1...worth it?

[Boopop]

So this morning I went out to Halfords to buy a spanner to attach to the freewheel removal tool FR-1. I was trying to remove the freewheel/cassette, from my Ridgeback Speed's rear wheel(2010), but it wouldn't budge . I actually managed to slip and hurt my little finger which now has a bandage on it. Oh well.

Anyway, I remember reading that the problem when the thing is too tight is that the lever on the spanner isn't long enough, so you can't get enough torque on the thing. My guess is Park Tool's tool specifically for this, the FRW-1 would fare better, but it's a whopping £48!

So the question is, will this work better, and would you say it's worth the money?

Thanks

 

[smokeysmoo]

Have you got a rubber mallet?

 

[Peteaud]

Have you got a rubber mallet?

AKA The Birmingham micro adjuster.

 

[Boopop]

Nope. That would be sufficient? I don't want to bid a fond farewell to more skin

 

[derrick]

A scaffold pole on the end of the spanner.

 

[smokeysmoo]

Nope. That would be sufficient? I don't want to bid a fond farewell to more skin

If you don't have a persuader I'd take it to your LBS and ask them to whip it off before I blew a bullseye on such a niche tool.

Then make sure you copper slip the threads before putting it back on or fitting a new one whichever the case may be.

After that the tool you've already should suffice for future fettling.

 

[guitarpete247]

Put the removal tool in a vice and turn the wheel. That should be enough leverage. Put the q/r through the tool to stop it slipping off.

 

[Boopop]

Hmm, if it's a mallet that'll do it then I'd rather buy that given that a trip to the LBS will cost £4 at least on the bus, and then I'd have to pay the LBS too...

EDIT: @guitarpete247 - I don't have a vice sadly

 

[Cubist]

Someone somewhere suggested the hoover pipe, but I'm not sure whether that would invalidate the warranty........

 

[Boopop]

Just tried the hoover pipe, I think the plastic pipe was going to break before the bolt was going to be undone. I'm lost . Hoover cost me £20 and is at least second hand so a warranty is non-existant xD

 

[lulubel]

Who was the idiot who put it on there that tight in the first place? Cassettes don't need to be so tight that you need to be the Incredible Hulk to get the thing off.

When you put the replacement on, check it after it's "clicked" a few times, and if it doesn't wobble, that's tight enough.

 

[smokeysmoo]

lulubel is bang on. My 10 speed freewheel tool allows you to use a spanner or a ratchet. I use a ratchet, (won't slip off you see), and although it's only a shortish handle I've never had an issue.

I've just removed the cassette of a 1992 Dawes without breaking a sweat, so it does seem like yours was put together by a monkey!

Do you have a large adjustable spanner? I've used mine on occasion if I couldn't lay my hands on my ratchet.

 

[BimblingBee]

So the question is, will this work better, and would you say it's worth the money?

In short no!

Try a large adjustable spanner or (I can't remember if the Park tool allows this) a 12 inch breaker bar. Some can be quite tight, IIRC 40Nm is generally recommended by manufacturers which actually quite tight and its unsurprising that you are finding it difficult. I've had a fair few cassettes that can be stubborn to remove.

A breaker bar is also useful for removing stubborn BB's and pedals without damaging the ratchet.

 

[davester65]

AKA The Birmingham micro adjuster.

along with a tub of this and you'll be fine

 

[davester65]

Hmm, if it's a mallet that'll do it then I'd rather buy that given that a trip to the LBS will cost £4 at least on the bus, and then I'd have to pay the LBS too...

EDIT: @guitarpete247 - I don't have a vice sadly

Now for the 'Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert answer

Ride said Ridgeback to LBS, take wheel off in shop and pay them (usually about £5) to remove cassette, then self re-install casette finger/hand tight and ride home for easy removal....much cheaper than bells and whistles tool @ £48

PS I'm assuming you're using a chain whip to hold the cassette as you turn it anti-clockwise?