I bought a new freewheel, Shimano 7 speed.... 11 to 28 teeth and
followed instructions to install ... Grease threads, reverse rotation to
seat threads properly and then easy finger tighteninng with no feel of
cross threading. Shimano MF-HG50-7 for $19.95.
I installed this freewheel on a new Velocity ATB rear (freewheel) wheel
from Bike Nashbar, normally claimed to be a $69.00 item.
I got all the derailleur stops and indexing to work correctly and the
gears change really nicely on the workstand.
When driving the wheel with the pedal rotation by hand (while still on
the stand) everything looks really quite true and feels good.
Allowing the rear wheel to coast and watching the rear gears, there is a
"wobble" of the gear cluster as the rear wheel turns.
Reingaging the pedaling appears to eliminate the "wobble".
The original bike is a 1985 Stumpjumper Sport with Shimano Deore XT
group.... really nice stuff. I don't remember ever having seen the
"wobble" of freewheel with the old components.
So, before riding it, I decided to ask if this "freewheel wobble" is
innocent or typical of some not very expensive freewheels. I think
maybe I have seen it a lot in affordable bikes..... but at my near
Medicare threashold age, one cannot always rely on vague memories.
Normal... ? Abnormal....? Sign of careless assembly ...?
Thanks
Jim Buch
Bettendorf, IA