Shimano Sora Freehub

[llllllll]

Bit of an odd one this. Last couple of mornings I've got on the bike, started pedaling and got no drive. If I keep spinning the pedals, the freehub (eventually) engages and I can continue. Unfortunately it starts again if I free wheel, so I end up having to ride my geared bike like a fixie (don't stop pedaling). About halfway through my commute it all seems to start working properly.

My theory is that I've used the wrong grease when repacking the hub and it thickens up in the cold weather, stopping the pawls moving as freely as they should - it works fine on the way home. But I've not had chance to take it all apart to check and I'm starting to worry that it may be something more terminal. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance

 

[alecstilleyedye]

knackered freehub i think. i had that problem last year on my road bike. the good news is that the freehub can be replaced without removing the hub body and rebuilding the wheel. one lbs will only do that for shimano hubs, so i guess they're easier to do or that the part is easily sourced.

 

[andy_wrx]

This site
http://www.icebike.org/Equipment/freehub.htm
talks about 'winterizing' a Shimano freehub so that the grease doesn't solidify and cause it to malfunction in the way you're proposing is happening.

But it's suggesting you might need to do it for Iditabike or similar events in the Alaskan Arctic...

 

[llllllll]

Thanks for the replies. It's been pretty cold the last few mornings but not Arctic cold, I just can't think of any other reason it'd work fine in the warmer weather. Prehaps I'll just have to bite the bullett and see if I can get a new freehub, though I've not had much luck getting Shimano spares in the past.

 

[andy_wrx]

Google around, there are a number of internet shops selling them and they're not that expensive.

Alternatively, I needed a new one for my old Shimano 7sp MTB, bought an entire hub really cheap on eBay and swapped it over.

 

[Dave5N]

Wee on it!

(It works, honestly)

 

[llllllll]

Yeah...I think I'll just buy that extra hub, ta