I just got a new bike. My friend found it in front of a bikeshop with a "free!" sign on it. It has a bad problem in the back wheel, which I have diagnosed to be a bent axle and destroyed bearing.

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That's the bike. Pretty nice, all aluminum. Not too sure about all the suspension gizmos, but free is free. I trained as an auto mechanic for two years, so I've got tehnical ability and I've been messing around with bikes since I was little, so I _kind of_ know my way around one. This problem has me stumped though. How do I removed the piece pictured below?

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I can't quite tell if that's a cassette or a freewheel...

If it's a freewheel (ratcheting mechanism is part of the gears), you need a freewheel remover.

If it's a cassette (ratcheting mechanism is part of the hub), you need a chain whip and either a freewheel remover or a hammer and punch to remove the lockring holding the gears on.

Your local bike shop should sell all the tools you need.



(It's been a few years since I was a bike mechanic, so someone correct me if I've missed anything)

Ah, alright. The shop can get me a whole new wheel and install it for fifty bucks, so I might just go that route.

yea, you need: http://www.icycles...hain-whip-tool.htm

and the thing underneath it. You will also need a decent sized wrench to turn it.

good luck

Posted by Random Ah, alright. The shop can get me a whole new wheel and install it for fifty bucks, so I might just go that route.

I dont want to be mean or upset any one but truth be told that bike isnt even worth 50 bucks. Those bikes sell for 100 dollars at wallmarts kmarts and targets. They dont last at all. I work at a bike shop and we have just started turning people away who bring bikes like that into the shop because the repair cost are usually more than the whole bike is worth. I understand that it was free but I wouldnt put any money into it. Just tryn to help you out.
mike

I'm with robo. I used to work at a decent shop where people would always bring in huffy and murry. they's want $150 repair on a $50 bike. Frequently they'd buy a new one, and leave the old. We had a # story building behind us, so we'd haul them to the top, and do the ole' "huffy toss"! good times.

based on your own picture that bike clearly does not have a cassette its a cheapo freewheel but either way, you do not need to remove it to replace the axle and or bearings

you do need some very thin open end wrenches, bike shops sell em

take your axle in and match it up

so many chinese bikes use non-standard crap if you have to get an axle thats longer, cut it down file the threads off to a chamfer if you dont have a proper die to chase the threads

dont over tighten the bearings, which is a common mistake. leave just a hair of play so when you lock down the axle QR (or nuts) it will compress slightly

your bike can be fixed for less than $25 if the hub/races arent damaged (add $15 if you dont have proper axle wrench)

see if you can get another shitty wheel from a toys-r-us bike. not worth getting tools to fix it. my handle bars are probably worth more than it.