Silent freewheel (5-speed or single)

[hias9]

At the moment I am using a Sunrace 5-speed freewheel. Unfortunately the freewheel is much louder than the motor (MXUS 3k) when not pedalling.

I am looking for a more quiet 5-speed or single-speed. Any ideas?

 

[motomech]

The Enoch DNP, while not the greatest, is a step up from a Sunrace.
It also has the big advantage of having an 11T sm. gear. It's the only free whl. with this gear that is readily available, which makes it "the only player in town".

 

[hias9]

I think I have this one on my slower bike (2kW). It is a 7-speed, right?

Is this really available as a 5-speed with 11T? There is not enough space for a 7-speed on my bike.

 

[Chalo]

The Enoch DNP, while not the greatest, is a step up from a Sunrace.

In terms of failure rate, I don't think that's true. I don't know of any freewheels more likely to give up than DNP Epoch.

I'd run a little motor oil or gear oil into the freewheel and see if it isn't quiet enough that way. The first alternative I'd try is Shimano.

 

[motomech]

I think I have this one on my slower bike (2kW). It is a 7-speed, right?

Is this really available as a 5-speed with 11T? There is not enough space for a 7-speed on my bike.

A 7-speed is only a few milimeters longer than a 5-speed. If your chain stays are not Carbon, you can spread them to accept the 7-speed. Sometimes a flat washer needs to be installed between the free whl. and the drop-out to keep them from rubbing.

 

[hias9]

Chain stays are thick cromo steel and its already spreaded to fit a 142mm hub into a 135mm dropout and I do not want to spread it more. And I actually do not need more than one gear, so a 7-speed makes no sense.

 

[motomech]

Yeah, but the problem with a single gear(fixie)is, the typically come in 16 T, no smaller than a 15 T, I believe.
Maybe a machinist could fab something.

 

[dustNbone]

Feed it some oil, it'll quiet down. The problem is there's really no mechanism for keeping lubricant in there, so you'll need to use something tacky like gear oil if you want it to stay, or you'll have to do it often.

 

[hias9]

Would something like ATF (automatic transmission oil) do the job?

 

[Chalo]

Yeah, but the problem with a single gear(fixie)is, the typically come in 16 T, no smaller than a 15 T, I believe.
Maybe a machinist could fab something.

Single speed with a freewheel is not fixed gear. Fixed gear bikes don't coast; the pedals turn if the bike is moving.

Regular 1.37"x24 threaded freewheels have come in sizes as small as 15t. Current production single freewheel sizes are 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 22 teeth.

Would something like ATF (automatic transmission oil) do the job?

That's a very light oil and it won't have much quieting effect. As I suggested before, motor oil or gear oil would be better for quieting the ratchet.