Freespinning when pedalling issue

[TwoManyCars]

Afternoon all,

Took my old Specialized ATB out for a road ride with my daughter today (she’s just done her cycling proficiency at school) and on half a dozen occasions I totally lost pedal power. Chain was on the front and rear cogs but pedals just spinning when pedalling. Quite frightening for me as I could see her cycling off on her own and I couldn’t keep up.

Any ideas?

[frisbee]

Freewheel mechanism, pawls/rachets disengaging and not reengaging. Grease gone hard maybe?

[TwoManyCars]

frisbee said:

Freewheel mechanism, pawls/rachets disengaging and not reengaging. Grease gone hard maybe?

Easy fix? Haven’t stripped a bike down in some time! Is it just a matter of removing rear wheel and freewheel, flushing with WD40 then re- oiling? If so can I use clock oil? Or something like gearbox oil (EW90)?

Edited by TwoManyCars on Saturday 29th January 16:22

[frisbee]

TwoManyCars said:

Easy fix? Haven’t stripped a bike down in some time! Is it just a matter of removing rear wheel and freewheel, flushing with WD40 then re- oiling? If so can I use clock oil? Or something like gearbox oil (EW90)?

Edited by TwoManyCars on Saturday 29th January 16:22

Pretty much. There are all sorts of different arrangements but its usually possible to find out how to dismantle it on the web.