So, I have a question... I'd like to know more about how big the difference is between a crappy and a good freecoaster. Yeah, I know, might seem a bit stupid, because, well, off course it's not easy to describe the difference.
But... other flatlanders are nowhere to be found where I live, so there's no one around that can tell me anything about parts and stuff, and no other bike setups to try, so the only information I can get is from reading on the internet. And from you guys, I hope. So here goes...

I recently upgraded from a beginner's street bike to a KHE Militant LT. Really happy with the bike in general. Riding with a freecoaster (the Taska one that came with the complete) was awkward at first (blue knees on the first day off course), but I 'kinda' got used to it now.
But... I still don't like it.  At all. It has lots of slack (almost 1/2 of a turn), and how much slack it has is not really consistent, plus, the pedals still go backwards often while rolling backwards, which happens at random.
But well, since I have nothing to compare my experience to, maybe it isn't so bad as it feels to me, maybe it's all about really getting used to it. Or, the other hand, maybe I am riding a f*cked up freecoaster and it will be a really big difference if I get me a new, better one. I haven't got the slightest idea! (Damn, I should find myself some experienced flatlanders somewhere to simply ask these questions and try their bikes for a sec!)

Since some of you surely have upgraded from something like a Taska to a decent freecoaster in the past, my question is if anyone can describe the difference, or help me with deciding wether a better freecoaster is worth the money for a beginner like me... Thanks!

See a crappy freecoaster doesn't work right and the pedals engage...ghost pedals...isn't reliable.... and a good freecoaster doesn't do that.

I've ran Nankai and Geisha and both worked very well for me. I like the Geisha (Federal) a lil' better personally.

I've been riding the stock taska on the opsis and finally got it set up to where it feels pretty good.

Just follow that link and make sure the cone nut is in the perfect position (literally w/ in what felt like 1/20th of a turn it can go from a loose sloppy hub to a decently rolling freecoaster). Too loose and the hub will be wobbly, too tight and it won't spin that well. Using a vice is essential, it makes it soooo much easier to check how the wheel spins while still being able to adjust the cone/locknut.

Just take it apart, wipe up all the crap-grease they put in at the factory (black auto grease), and fill up with bike grease on all the bearings and moving parts.

Then when you mount it just make sure the chain isn't too tight/loose and disengage the clutch by  back pedaling about 1/4 or 1/2 a crank.

As for your slack- don't know what to say. Mine came with about 1/6th of a rotation slack, and it's kind of stayed that way, and I haven't felt compelled to investigate or change that.

Any way you go, good luck! Good to see you're riding!

Thanks for all your answers. Every opinion helps in forming mine!

@pawnshopmike: that 'solid feeling' is indeed what I'd like to have, and what I have been missing since I have my new bike, but I couldn't put my finger on it why it felt that way, maybe because of the random & lots of slack, or maybe just because of me not being used to a smaller, lighter, more responsive bike...

Another small question: when I ride my bike (forward, that is), and I pedal backwards, my pedals 'get stuck' after a round or two. Normal? Totally not?

Anyway, this weekend I'll try some more adjusting, maybe I'll take the whole thing apart and back together (hopefully), we'll see, it might just help...

Quote from: lieve on February 25, 2009, 08:57:43 PM

Anyway, this weekend I'll try some more adjusting, maybe I'll take the whole thing apart and back together (hopefully), we'll see, it might just help...

da zal de beste oplossing zijn :p
i ride a taska ufree  and am very happy
greetz

Vet nie vergeten!!!

peace

I've never touched my Nankai and don't intend to. It's like *set-it and forget it.*

Disagree. Mine keeps losing its adjustment, and I have a continual problem with ghost pedaling that nothing has been able to fix.


That said, I've been using the same one since 2004. It doesn't suck or anything, but it's annoying and I really wish I could afford to get a new set of wheels. My wheels are seven pounds EACH. totally screws up buying all the other lightweight parts.

Quote from: Kuroki_Kaze on February 25, 2009, 09:15:40 PM

da zal de beste oplossing zijn :p
i ride a taska ufree  and am very happy
greetz

Vet nie vergeten!!!

peace
[/quote]

hah, leuke ontdekking dat er ergens in België toch nog mensen zijn die hun wenkbrauwen niet fronsen bij het horen van het woord 'flatland' !

For the price and performance, the Taska Ufree is indeed the bomb... I love mine, especially knowing how much money I saved by not going with one of the other sealed coasters out there.

Hm, Ufree, another option... anyone that can compare it to the Taska on the completes?

Damn, taking apart a freecoaster for the first time freaks me out a bit! Hopefully it will live after I messed with it... well, you live, you learn...

  I been running my Federal FC over a year now.  I greased it out of the box, laced it up and been riding it ever since. I have not touched the FC or had any problems at all with it.  It never ghost pedals, engages or disengages improperly.  Not once no lie. I could take a bit of slack out that's the worst I can say. And even that's just a washer.

My nankais worked well but they needed a bit more care in my expereiences.