Tight cassette lockring

[deejayen]

I'm trying to remove a 7-speed cassette which has either been on the bike since new (l980's) or installed by a bike shop umpteen years ago. The bike has been stored in a slightly damp shed - the chain had a few rusty tight links.

There looks like there's a few spots of surface rust on the smallest sprocket.

I've just got a cheap chainwhip and cassette tool, which are normally fine, but this one's not budging.

I've soaked it in Plusgas.

I'm not the strongest, but I also tried using my foot and putting some body weight into it.

I also tried tightening it first - it made a some sort of noise, but it hasn't helped to slacken it.

I'm not really sure why it's stuck. I think it must be a steel cassette (7 speed) so perhaps two dissimilar metals have bonded together, but I'm not sure about that.

I don't have a vise, and I haven't been able to find a suitable breaker bar to go over the end of the cassette tool.

I'm wondering what my options are! I could get some better tools (I have my eye on an Abbey Crombie) but would that really help?

I'd normally take it to a bike shop, but I can't get off work to take it it in, and I need it sorted within the next day or two.

 

[Cycleops]

It’s all about leverage so if you can increase it by putting a length of steel pipe over your ratchet or whatever you’re using that will do it.

“Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world”

Archimedes

 

[fossyant]

Cassette or freewheel ?

 

[Cycleops]

I imagine it’s a cassette as a cassette tool won’t even fit in a freewheel.

 

[deejayen]

Thanks. Yes, before looking at the bike I wondered if it might be a freewheel, but it does seem to be a cassette.

My lockring tool is this LifeLine one (the curve in the handle means I'm not sure I'll find a suitable breaker bar at home):

 

[Ming the Merciless]

photo would help

 

[DaveReading]

I also tried tightening it first - it made a some sort of noise, but it hasn't helped to slacken it.

The noise made as the serrations on the locking ring and the freehub engage with each other is quite distinctive.

If you can get even one recognisable click (in the tightening direction) then I would expect it then to be able to move in the opposite (untightening) direction.

Mind your knuckles, though.

 

[lazybloke]

A cassette of that age could be uniglide. Pretty sure they're a bit quirky to remove. Have got one myself - will have a look when I get home

 

[deejayen]

Thanks.

I'll have a closer look tonight.

If all else fails, it might be better\cheaper to buy a new wheel!

 

[Shortandcrisp]

The noise made as the serrations on the locking ring and the freehub engage with each other is quite distinctive.

If you can get even one recognisable click (in the tightening direction) then I would expect it then to be able to move in the opposite (untightening) direction.

Mind your knuckles, though.

I always wear a pair of winter cycling gloves whenever I do this. 🙃

 

[deejayen]

I always wear a pair of winter cycling gloves whenever I do this. 🙃

I wore a pair of cycling gloves with latex gloves on top!

 

[Cycleops]

Well at least you’ll be warm

 

[T4tomo]

I'm not the strongest

can you phone a friend with strong hands / arms?

getting the chain whip and lock-ring wrench in a position where you can squeeze the together to loosen it is a good technique...

 

[cougie uk]

I've a garden rake that I have used for extra leverage. Just needed a cut in the bottom of the handle to fit the spanner in.

 

[Ajax Bay]

It's a good bet that this is a freewheel, not a freehub/cassette - so the tool the OP shares an image of is 'wrong'
Sheldon:

Sachs (Sram) Freewheel	Shimano Hyperglide Freewheel	Sun Tour Two-notch Freewheel	Cassette with Lockring