How to distinguish between cassette freewheels and threaded freewheels?
1 Answers
The difference between cassette freewheels and threaded freewheels lies in the way the freewheel is mounted and fixed to the hub. Threaded freewheels are mostly one-piece and are screwed onto the hub, with both the freewheel and the hub having threads, allowing direct screwing onto the hub. On the other hand, cassette freewheels consist of individual cogs. Some cassette freewheels are assembled together for convenience, but when disassembled, they remain as separate cogs, whereas threaded freewheels cannot be disassembled and are one-piece. Additional information: Threaded freewheels tend to wobble sideways. Even SHIMANO's threaded freewheel products have a certain degree of misalignment, typically around 5 degrees. This causes fluctuations in the chain movement, significantly reducing the precision of rear derailleur positioning. The higher the gear (the further out the cog), the greater the chain fluctuation (high-speed cogs have a larger pulling leverage). Moreover, the longer the usage time, the greater the misalignment becomes, and their lifespan is limited. Generally, threaded hubs have a lifespan of about 2 years, while cassette freewheels can last over a decade or even longer. The advantage of cassette freewheels is that each individual cog is parallel to the bike frame, ensuring both the stability of the chain during operation and a longer service life.
