Bicycle freewheels Go SwissDrive - variants, maintenance and replacement in the event of a defect
Find out what a freewheel is, which variants are used in Go SwissDrive motors and how to recognize a defect. Also learn how to use the freewheel or change it if necessary.
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What is the freewheel on a bicycle or eBike?
A freewheel, also known as a freehub body, is a component on the rear hub of a bicycle that makes it possible to mount different sprockets. The freewheel is specially designed for bicycles with derailleur gears or toothed belts.
With a freewheel, you decouple the connection between the chain and the rear wheelso that the pedals do not turn together with the wheels.
If you ride your bike downhill and are annoyed that you still have to pedal, you need a freewheel.
The freewheel described above is also used on e-bikes.
In connection with e-bikes, this also refers to the interruption of motor assistance. This decouples the motor from the chain drive. This ensures that the motor drive is interrupted when you stop pedaling. This is useful when riding downhill, for example.
Design and function of a freewheel
The freewheel is attached to the rear wheel hub. A freewheel consists of several parts that work together to convert the rotational movement of the pedals into power transmission to the rear wheel.
The cassette body is the part of the rear wheel on which the cassette with the sprockets are mounted. It has special recesses or teeth to hold the sprockets securely. The sprockets are the individual sprockets that are mounted and bolted onto the cassette body. They are available in different sizes with different numbers of teeth and offer the rider various gear options.
The cassette body contains so-called pawls, a locking mechanism that connects the rear wheel to the cassette body when pedaling. When the rider pedals, the spring-loaded pawls engage and transfer the power to the rear wheel. When the rider pedals backwards or does not pedal, the mechanism allows the rear wheel to turn freely without activating the drive.
The freewheel often also contains a seal to protect the hub and bearings from dirt and moisture.
Variants of freewheel types for Go SwissDrive motors
Various freewheels were installed in Go SwissDrive motors. They differ in the type of axle. 10mm standard bolt-on axles and 12mm thru axles were installed.
Freewheel 10mm axle
The majority of freewheels were installed for Shimano cassette mounts. It is also known that freewheels for Compagnolo cassettes have been installed in Stöckli ET1 and ET2 eBikes. There are variants for MTBs, steel and aluminum versions. The freewheels for the 10mm axles are designated by Go SwissDrive as freewheel F162SB for Z8 axle.
Freewheel 12mm thru axle
So far we only know that freewheels for Shimano cassette mounts have been installed in Go SwissDrive motors with 12mm thru axles. These freewheels are designated by Go SwissDrive as freewheels for X12 axles. They are currently available in a steel version.
Maintenance and care of the freewheel and replacement in the event of a defect
A freewheel is susceptible to wearespecially if it is not carefully maintained and greased. Hardened grease or dirt can also cause problems. Regular maintenance extends the service life of the freewheel. This is particularly important with the Go SwissDrive motor, as non-functioning freewheel pawls destroy the gearing in the motor.
Maintenance of the freewheel
To service the freewheel, you must remove the rear wheel and then the cassette from the freewheel.
Then remove the freewheel nut with a narrow open-end wrench. Alternatively, you can push the front ring of the Z8 axle away with a wrench. You can then remove the freewheel from the motor.
Inspect the freewheel in general and especially the 6 small pawls, which are arranged in pairs on the freewheel, as well as the gearing of the motor. If the nut or bushing are badly worn, replace them.
Assessment of the gearing of the motor
The serrations are the recesses where the pawls engage when driving. When the toothing is worn, the corners of the toothing become round and a small web is created in the middle of the toothing between the pairs of pawls. If this is the case, you should have the gearing of the motor replaced. Otherwise, it is possible that not all of the pawls will engage and you will suddenly lose your footing when pedaling.
If you are unsure whether the gearing is still in order or should be replaced, please contact your dealer or YouMo via our service form.
If the gearing is still intact, clean the inside of the motor’s gearing and then grease it lightly.
We use Thermoplex 2 TML from Lubcon, which has proved very successful.
Assessment of the freewheel
Assess the housing and the pawls of the freewheel.
Extremely dirty and completely fixed freewheels should be replaced.
If you can continue to use the freewheel, clean it thoroughly. The latches must then move smoothly and spring back into their original position.
Only use really well-functioning freewheels, otherwise cracking noises may occur or, in the worst case, the gearing of the motor may be destroyed.
Then lightly grease the pawls with the grease mentioned above.
Mounting the freewheel
Put the freewheel back into the motor. Please make sure that you do not forget the originally installed bushing, otherwise the freewheel will press on the motor bearing and destroy it.
Fit the nut and tighten it again lightly (2 Nm).
You can then refit the cassette to the freewheel and reinstall the motor in your eBike.
In the Go SwissDrive FAQ you will find further information and the most frequently asked technical questions with their solutions.
As a Go SwissDrive successor for repairs and maintenance, you can contact us at any time regarding Go SwissDrive repairs. Since the launch of the Go SwissDrive spare parts and repair service, we have received hundreds of inquiries that have given us valuable Go SwissDrive experience and knowledge.
Available freewheel types for Go SwissDrive motors at YouMo
We keep a large stock of spare partsincluding various freewheels and individual parts especially for Go SwissDrive motors.
The following components are relevant: