Dicta freewheels -pos or a cheap alternative?

[factory pilot]

I need a nice full chrome freewheel but any decent ones( shimano, suntour etc) are both rare and minty so....

...these dicta jobbies are cheap as chips and look nice...the question is are they any good? Anybody got one or used one ...it's going a bike I'm gonna ride but it  also needs to look good
Andy told me to avoid but what experiences have you lot have with 'em?

the alternative is a chrome/black 17t shimano dx but I'm ideally after 16t and full chrome
cheers Ant

[Gnarlyscoots]

Take Andy's advice buddy. I have used a couple of cheap freewheel's before and they rarely last a couple months of riding.

Alway's best to get a good quality one. Have you tried looking for a 16T White Industries freewheel 

[Munnyella]

Never had a problem with a Dicta, I can't see them lasting like a suntour or Shimano though,  mine (Shimano) was still great at 30 years old, but, are you going to ride your Dicta as much as you did your bike when you were a kid? I guess not, plus, you will look after it, not sling it in ditches, round dirty, gritty bmx tracks etc.

MM

[Dannywhac]

Dictas are crap. Pawls give out on em/don't engage well.

ACS do a half decent chrome one for sub-£15 if you don't want the expense of a White Ind.

[factory pilot]

I will have a look for the Acs.... am I best looking on fleabay?
I will go for the shimano otherwise me thinks.... anybody else got any thoughts?
cheers for all your replies

[Retrodan72]

I always use Dicta's Ant, but I'm a cheapskate, never had any issues, but I only ever do the pub rides, so not too much punishment.

[Jon The Bassist]

I've had Dictas fail - I couldn't recommend them for riding. I got a nice chrome Sturmey Archer one a few months ago 

[factory pilot]

I always use Dicta's Ant, but I'm a cheapskate, never had any issues, but I only ever do the pub rides, so not too much punishment.

Always words of sense from you Dan ..this is going on a pub rider....but it's going to be my "grail" pub rider so I'm veering towards the more expensive options after some of the replies here

[Retrodan72]

I always use Dicta's Ant, but I'm a cheapskate, never had any issues, but I only ever do the pub rides, so not too much punishment.

Always words of sense from you Dan ..this is going on a pub rider....but it's going to be my "grail" pub rider so I'm veering towards the more expensive options after some of the replies here

Fair enough mate, I do tend to pack mine with grease before a ride though to be honest. 

[Gnarlyscoots]

Sturmey Archer full chrome  >>  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Sturmey-Archer-Chrome-Plated-Singlespeed-Freewheel-1-2-x-1-8-/190658940047?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&var=&hash=item2c64288c8f

And this looks the shizz  >>  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Token-Cromo-Single-Speed-Freewheel-Sprocket-/111244439897?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&var=&hash=item19e6af7159

Don't know what they are like though 

[Dannywhac]

I do tend to pack mine with grease before a ride though to be honest. 

You shouldn't really pack a freewheel with a load of grease - the grease can stop the pawls springing back = freewheel slips = no front teeth.

Better off mixing grease 50/50 with oil and slopping that in.

[factory pilot]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Sturmey-Archer-Chrome-Plated-Singlespeed-Freewheel-1-2-x-1-8-/190658940047?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&var=&hash=item2c64288c8f

I'm liking these......A LOT !!!!!!
Great price too
now can I get a second opinion on these bad boys? ....if we can then I'm totally convinced

[rodriguez]

I'd go for a Suntour or an ACS, nice and noisy, if you want a quiet freewheel get a Shimano.

Just as it happens JTsmooth has a few of these on the bay, drop him a PM.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NOS-Old-School-888-Suntour-Made-16T-Freewheel-Old-School-Vintage-BMX-/121251254624?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item1c3b235160

[factory pilot]

Cheers for the heads up bud ..but I've aleady got a nice black suntour freewheel..it's chrome I'm after but didn't realise shimano ones were quiet !

I have to admit I do like a nice whirry clicky freewheel though given the choice!

[Gnarlyscoots]

White Industries freewheel 

[factory pilot]

now that is the sound of pure sex on a stick
 

[Sc0tty]

I have always used the sturmey archer 16T freewheels. They are great quality, no loose bearing sounds like those DICTA cheapos, and the make a clicking sound too ! 

[factory pilot]

Cheers bud.....nice to get some positive feedback
It's all about the click! 

[garran]

i have a chrome 16t shimano, a 333 is it?

[factory pilot]

Is it fully chrome or half and half? Is it nos?
I really need nos and fully chrome?
Cheers Ant

[garran]

chrome teeth black middle, used but very good con,
 was mine from bitd, its in the boot of the car, i'd forgotten i had it, will look tomorrow, but a aint a seller on here

[factory pilot]

Very kind mate but Mark at retrospect has agreed to sell me a nos one like yours at a good price if I need it.
I'm still thinking about full chrome at the mo'
Much appreciated though dude 
Many thanks 
Cheers Ant 

[garran]

result, i have some bits left but as i not a collector etc i might list them for a trade sometime

[factory pilot]

Mate get yourself a site supporters tag and your free to trade or sell on here.. It's well worth it and MK is a brilliant event to co me down to too if you want to swap some bits
Stay rad dude

[dancetothedrummersbeat]

I have always used the sturmey archer 16T freewheels. They are great quality, no loose bearing sounds like those DICTA cheapos, and the make a clicking sound too ! 

It was the horrible loose bearing sound that has put me off buying Dicta's in future. I have them fitted to 2 of my builds, but don't recall the ones I have fitted sounding as bad. Maybe the newer ones that I just bought were from a dodgy batch?? If anyone has one ready to fit, do they rattle like a maraca?