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I have an "Old Fashioned" Looking new bike, a cruiser with a single gear. It pedals very smooth, but when I stop pedaling, I hear what can best be described as a grinding sound. When I pedal again, it stops. Any ideas?

Steve
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  • Are you talking about the ratcheting sound you get from your freewheel? – Batman Jul 17 '15 at 14:40
  • No, it is not a ratcheting, (there are no gears). It just sounds like a grinding, or a harsh rubbing sound. When I pick the back wheel up off the ground, the tire still seems to turn freely for a while, but when it slows, it seems like I can see it being "grabbed" as it stops. – Steve Jul 17 '15 at 14:53
  • If you can coast, theres a freewheeling mechanism (freewheel/freehub) which has ratcheting in it. Are the brakes rubbing? Is the wheel aligned? – Batman Jul 17 '15 at 14:58
  • There are no hand brakes, just a coaster. The Wheel seems to be aligned, I have not had that checked. This has just started the last couple of times I have ridden it. – Steve Jul 17 '15 at 14:59
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    I agree with Batman's initial assessment. The difference between the pedaling and not is the freewheeling mechanism. Not pedaling also doesn't use your BB, but BBs that aren't moving rarely make a noise. It sounds like perhaps your freewheel mechanism isn't disengaging all the way. I'd get it checked soon as possible, partial engagement may eventually lead to none or full engagement. – Deleted User Jul 17 '15 at 16:54
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    The mechanism in a coaster brake hub includes a clutch for forward motion and a brake for stopping. When the pedals are not moved the hub should engage neither. It sounds like either the brake or clutch is being slightly engaged. From my youth (a long time ago) I remember that some hubs were "just like that", but the problem could also be that you are unconsciously back-pedaling slightly, or there could be an actual malfunction. – Daniel R Hicks Jul 17 '15 at 18:14
  • (I'm remembering that a slight "swish-swish" sound from the hub while coasting was "normal" for some designs.) – Daniel R Hicks Jul 17 '15 at 18:16
  • Aside from making sure the reaction arm is correct and having the wheel in properly, theres nothing you can really do with a coaster brake IIRC. – Batman Jul 17 '15 at 19:02
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    Thanks to all of you for the help! I will get it looked at to see if the clutch is not engaging or disengaging correctly. Steve – Steve Jul 17 '15 at 19:55
  • Coaster brakes can be rather easily disassembled and there are "clutch" parts available for common hubs. Requires a mechanic willing to get his hands dirty, though. – zenbike Apr 02 '16 at 14:35
  • @Steve - this question is a year old now and has no accepted answer. Could you please post an answer about what you've done, what the cause was, and how it was resolved ? This is permitted and encouraged by SE because we'd rather have an answer than not. – Criggie Jul 25 '16 at 05:13

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