The probability that a cassette mechanism fails on a hub motor is very small but not nil.

If and when the freewheel fails (about the same probability that a cassette fails), it is inexpensive to replace.

I am always influenced by probability. So given the choice, I'd rather fit a freewheel.

 

I've always thought of freewheel gears as old fashioned and cassette gears as the modern, popular choice of gears.

Isn't it a cassette motor you have fitted to your Rio bike?

I've always assumed a cassette motor was the better option.

Isn't it a cassette motor you have fitted to your Rio bike?

I've always assumed a cassette motor was the better option.

no, it's a DNP 8-speed freewheel with similar arrangement (11T-32T) as a freehub.

 

The reason to have a freehub instead of freewheel is because Shimano freewheels have typically 14T-34T while freehubs can have 11T on the smallest sprocket, giving you more gear inches.

DNP freewheels have the same advantage like freehubs albeit are more expensive than Shimano freewheels.

Edited April 27, 20179 yr by Woosh

My apologies if I'm misunderstanding this.

 

The spec for the Rio says : Gears 8 speed Acera 11t - 34t

 

So does that refer to the rear mech being Acera and not the gear cluster which is the screw on type DNP freewheel?

So does that refer to the rear mech being Acera and not the gear cluster which is the screw on type DNP freewheel?

Yes, you are correct. The derailleur is Acera M360 (RD-M360GSD), shifter is also Acera M360. The freewheel is DNP 8-speed 11T-34T, the crankset is Ounce GXP 245A-TT, chain is KMC X8.

Thanks Woosh, all good working components though I prefer a freehub to a freewheel.

 

Back on topic,

 

I quite like the look of the new Kudos Mistral. It has a nice modern looking frame, with rear rack mounts, and the increasingly popular 27.5 wheel size.

The battery integration is very neat, though I'd like the option of a larger capacity. Also a little on the heavy side at 24.5kg.

Edited April 28, 20179 yr by Kenny

What are the advantages/disadvantages of a freehub vs free wheel? Im new to bikes but my mind is almost made up on the Rio. Thats assuming it gets delivered to Woosh without any obvious flaws.

A freehub (or cassette) lets you change just one worn sprocket whereas a freewheel has all its sprockets fastened together, you can't just change one sprocket.

The cost for a single sprocket is about £5, a whole freewheel is about £10. You save a little money with a freehub. However, freewheels tend to be more robust than freehubs, the ratchet mechanism is bigger on the freewheel compared to that on a freehub.

On a bike with a geared hub motor, a freewheel or freehub will last about 5,000-7,000 miles, much more than on a crank drive bike.

Besides that difference, you need a chain whip and sprocket tool to remove a freehub, you only need a sprocket tool to remove a freewheel. With the right tool, it's an easy 10 minutes job to remove either.

 

Edited April 28, 20179 yr by Woosh

A freehub (or cassette) lets you change just one worn sprocket whereas a freewheel has all its sprockets fastened together, you can't just change one sprocket.

The cost for a single sprocket is about £5, a whole freewheel is about £10. You save a little money with a freehub. However, freewheels tend to be more robust than freehubs, the ratchet mechanism is bigger on the freewheel compared to that on a freehub.

On a bike with a geared hub motor, a freewheel or freehub will last about 5,000-7,000 miles, much more than on a crank drive bike.

Besides that difference, you need a chain whip and sprocket tool to remove a freehub, you only need a sprocket tool to remove a freewheel. With the right tool, it's an easy 10 minutes job to remove either.

 

In my experience I would question a freewheel lasting more than 5 - 7K miles on a CD bike. When my chain needed replacing at around 3000 miles I had to replace the freewheel at the same time to retain precise shifting.

In my experience I would question a freewheel lasting more than 5 - 7K miles on a CD bike. When my chain needed replacing at around 3000 miles I had to replace the freewheel at the same time to retain precise shifting.

 

I use Acera cassette and KMC X8 chain on my Bali and Krieger CD bikes.

They tend to need replacing around 2,000 to 3,000 miles. Although, recently I came across one that has done 5,000 miles and still on the original Acera cassette and KMC8 chain.

On my hub bikes like the Big Bear, they seem to last forever.

Edited April 29, 20179 yr by Woosh