[GP-TJ]

I went to the LBS last week and got a new freewheel and chain. I already had a new ring. They didn't have any Shimano freewheels so I got an ACS. Are these things ok? I rode Sunday and it started sounding a little crappy. I rode again last night and it was about to explode. It still clicked but everytime I put any torque on the pedals the thing screamed at me. I took it off and it is completely full of dirt.

I put it in some oil cut down with mineral spirits to get it inside it. It feels a little better. I kept spinning it and then putting it back in the bath. It's still soaking now.

It is worth it? Should I just get a Shimano. Is there a cost effective alternative to the ENO. I put my old Shimano on it for now but the chain rides up on it slightly. I really don't want to destroy my new chain or have skipping issues.

Thanks
GP

 

[FatFrank]

just got one too

I have an ACS claws freewheel. I've got less than 100 miles on it. So far so good. Even when I ride in the rain I haven't got a lot of dirt on my hubs though.

 

[nightfire]

The ACS is better than the shimano. Don't know about the sealing but it has twice the no. of pawls.

P::..

 

[ernesto_from_Wisconsin]

Avoid headaches

I also used to use one of those on a bike. I already had ENO on my mountain bike, but my cross bike had the ACS. I just went ahead and got a worry free ENO one: http://www.whiteind.com/eno.htm

 

[scoutdog]

I use the ACS 888 15t, it seems better than the shimano. It has a big plastic dust cap that seems to work well.

 

[GP-TJ]

I use the ACS 888 15t, it seems better than the shimano. It has a big plastic dust cap that seems to work well.

Mine is an ACS Claws gold chromoly version (16t). I don't know much more than that. I will try it again after it soaks for a while. I'm soaking in 30wt cut down about 75% with mineral spirits. I might put it in soak straight up mineral spirits for a while too.

Anyone ever put it in for a soak?

GP

 

[Ghostrider]

Have one but really loud

I had a shimano but it was getting really worn and time to get a new one. I ordered a ACS because because it was cheep and it was in stock. My only complaint so far is the thing is louder then SH*T (freewheel clicking). Does this bother anyone else? The quietness of a SS it one thing I have always liked but now it is louder then my geared bike. I know one guy who probally wont ride with me if it is on there.
Is an ENO quiet (freewheel clicking) if so I might have to bite the bullet and get one. Anyone with and ENO or quiet freewheel please let me know.

 

[BigSur]

My advice is don't waste your $$ on them. I have to replace my ACS every few months cause down here in TX it gets pretty dusty. I suggest saving a couple more bucks and get the ENO freewheel...totally worth the extra dollars.

 

[stinkbait666]

ACS frwhls are the shizzle. cheap and sleazy. no really, check with the 20" boys. they prefer them to shimano despite the loud noise. hose it out with wd-40 and fill'er up with phil woood's tenacious. jammin on the one.

 

[MrXC]

I've been using a ACS Claws 16T on one side and a ENO 17T on the other for about a year now and have used Shimano in the past.

I've had no problems with the ACS. I was worried that it sitting un-used and caked in mud during the winter and spring would ruin it but nope, still no grit in it. Another thing that I found interesting is that I think this $15-$20 freewheel might have less drag than the ENO. Sounds crazy I know, but when I spin my wheel with the ACS it spins longer than with the ENO. Unscientific perhaps, but makes me wonder if the ENO really is worth the $.

Shimano freewheels on the other hand are worthless for trail riding. Those that I've owned get gritty if they even see dirt.

 

[GP-TJ]

.

I think this $15-$20 freewheel might have less drag than the ENO. Sounds crazy I know, but when I spin my wheel with the ACS it spins longer than with the ENO.
Shimano freewheels on the other hand are worthless for trail riding. Those that I've owned get gritty if they even see dirt.

Right you are about the long spinning wheel. My wheel never spun that long with the shimano. It spins a long time with the ACS. The 2 rides I did were immediately after heavy rains. Maybe this is just an abnormality. I will try it again after it soaks a while.

GP

 

[shiggy]

I went to the LBS last week and got a new freewheel and chain. I already had a new ring. They didn't have any Shimano freewheels so I got an ACS. Are these things ok? I rode Sunday and it started sounding a little crappy. I rode again last night and it was about to explode. It still clicked but everytime I put any torque on the pedals the thing screamed at me. I took it off and it is completely full of dirt.

I put it in some oil cut down with mineral spirits to get it inside it. It feels a little better. I kept spinning it and then putting it back in the bath. It's still soaking now.

It is worth it? Should I just get a Shimano. Is there a cost effective alternative to the ENO. I put my old Shimano on it for now but the chain rides up on it slightly. I really don't want to destroy my new chain or have skipping issues.

Thanks
GP

I always soak ACS fws in synthetic motor oil before I use them. If I don't they develop the "Claws Knock" while pedaling. They still work just fine, just sound awful.

I have since switched to White Ind. ENO FWs.

 

[motoman711]

Claws Knock?

I always soak ACS fws in synthetic motor oil before I use them. If I don't they develop the "Claws Knock" while pedaling. They still work just fine, just sound awful.

I have since switched to White Ind. ENO FWs.

What is this Claws Knock you speak of? The rear of my bike has a knock when I pedal. Is this the freewheel making noise? I thought my hub bearings were toast.

 

[GP-TJ]

What is this Claws Knock you speak of? The rear of my bike has a knock when I pedal. Is this the freewheel making noise? I thought my hub bearings were toast.

That's what I'm talking about. When I pedal it sounds like poop. I thought it was the chain or wheel bearing. I changed to the old fw and all is well. When I took the fw off it was full of dirt. I think it is dirt caught in when the pawls engage.

GP

 

[Soupboy]

Claws knock...

...blows unwashed donkel satchel.

Get an ENO FW and forget about it.

Oh, BTW - I've got a low mileage 18T sitting on the bench. Went with a 20T on my 29er. First fair offer gets it in their mailbox.

Spam I am,

Sean

 

[shiggy]

What is this Claws Knock you speak of? The rear of my bike has a knock when I pedal. Is this the freewheel making noise? I thought my hub bearings were toast.

That's it. The FW is making the clunk. Once it starts I have not found a way to make it stop completely. The soak before first use has be successful in preventing it from starting most of the time.

From what I can tell the noise is just noise. It is not the FW failing. I have been running one that sounds like a pile driver for two years on my play bike without trouble.

 

[GP-TJ]

So it may be too late for mine? I soaked it in 30wt after cleaning it out. It sounds ok now on the stand. It made noise even on the stand before I cleaned and soaked it. I will ride it again Sunday. Incidently, I put my old s-mano in the solvent and spun it. yikes o man o dirt. black junk came spewing. The acs was clean compared to that. It never made a sound though. I have that thing under mud and it always kept going with no troubles. I hope the acs can give me some longevity. Went back to LBS today and still just same acs in stock. Maybe acs doesn't put enough lube in from the beginning. Who knows.

GP

 

[tube_ee]

ACS frwhls are the shizzle. cheap and sleazy. no really, check with the 20" boys. they prefer them to shimano despite the loud noise. hose it out with wd-40 and fill'er up with phil woood's tenacious. jammin on the one.

Agreed. No freewheel, single or multi-speed, goes on my bike without getting a bunch of Phil Oil worked into it. Phil's is the magic juice for freewheels.

--Shannon

 

[Crucible]

The Eno is sealed, seals create drag no matter how well designed.

 

[lil' kid]

no ACS problems

I've been using ACS freewheels for a couple of years (NorCal)...18T and 20T. They've been in the dust and the rain...still no problems. Yes, they can be a little noisy when coasting DH but that doesn't bother me...