Interloc Defiant Freewheels

this freewheel failed

I would not recommend this freewheel, I was pedaling along very easy in town after a moderately hard 24 mile ride when all of the sudden it was as if there was no chain on the bike, the freewheel would not engage.
I am 61 years old, been riding a freewheel bike for 48 years and I have NEVER had this happen to me. Sun Tour, Shimano, Sachs, Regina, Sun Race.
NEVER failed. I have one unused one I bought from Univ and am going to ask for a credit. Luckily, I was only 4 miles from home and able to get a lift.
Dave, Davis CA

Pros: worked good until it failed.

Cons: It failed. I have NEVER had a freewheel fail on me and I've been riding freewheel bikes for 48 years!

Would Buy Again: No
Would Recommend: No

Reviewed on: April 18, 2013
Reviewed by: David J., California

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These freewheels are a good upgrade for older bikes. I used one of these 5 speed freewheels on an old Italian 10 speed I restored and it works great. The teeth profiles really improve the shifting of the old Campy derailleurs. I have been riding the bike for over a year now and so far no problems.

Pros: Classic looks, good shifting.

Cons: None

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: July 30, 2012
Reviewed by: Jack L., Paoli Pennsylvania

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Smooth and Strong

I was a little worried buying this freewheel since I had read of a lot of them breaking. Not to worry. I have broken Regina freewheels IN HALF before climbing hills in California. I am 255 pounds and punish freewheels on my vintage 1982 Medici Pro Strada. This freewheel is smooth and strong and shifts like a dream. This is the savior of all of us vintage bike owners that don't want to swap for a cassette hub and bend up the rear forks of our favorite rides. Would like a little closer ratios, but that is just being picky. Ride, enjoy!!!

Pros: Smooth freewheeling, smooth shifting. does not skip, looks nice.

Cons: Would like closer ratios.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: June 10, 2012
Reviewed by: Mark K., California

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unreliable junk

I have installed four of these freewheels on three different bikes, both 5-speed and 6-speed. Three of the four have failed quickly. In the most recent case, I installed a 5-speed model on an old Univega with a brand new chain. The IRD freewheel failed within the first 12 miles.

Granted, the 4th has been ridden every day for a year and is still working.

Pros: Looks good.
Works well when it works.

Cons: Unreliable.

Would Buy Again: No
Would Recommend: No

Reviewed on: May 10, 2012
Reviewed by: Otis, Portland, OR

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Nice try but...

I put a 6spd 13-28 mounted it on the hub and it pretty much crapped out immediately. While Universal was great about getting it warrantied it's left me feeling uneasy. I have the freewheel on my dedicated randonneuring bike and have used the replacement without issue but I just don't trust it. I keep looking for a NOS Suntour Winner.

Pros: Gives you a really nice range of gears when paired with VO 50.4 bcd crank.

Cons: Too many stories of people having these fail far from home.

Would Buy Again: No
Would Recommend: No

Reviewed on: February 27, 2012


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Tight

I got the 7 speed for an 87 rockhopper. I had to convert from 6 speed to put it on an electric hub. The freewheel was very tight. It freewheels, but when I took my feet off of the pedals, the cranks spin. I bought it in August 2010 and it was pretty bad at first. After 6 months, it had loosened up a bit, and now (January 2012) it is mostly loose. The cranks only spin slowly. Maybe mine was packed with too much grease. I wasn't too worried about it since I had an electric kit on the bike. I pretty much always freewheel with the motor on on this daily commuter.

Pros: Good enough.

Cons: Doesn't freewheel well until a year of daily use. I expected better for the price.

Would Buy Again: No
Would Recommend: No

Reviewed on: January 14, 2012
Reviewed by: Timothy B., California

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new old stuff

I am a freewheel guy, but no longer trust these. I had a Mk3 let me down in big way, far from home. I am using shimanno or older suntour now

Pros: Works out of the box

Cons: May fail at random times

Would Buy Again: No
Would Recommend: No

Reviewed on: October 16, 2011
Reviewed by: robert p., California

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I have two vintage mid 80's bikes. One mountain and one road. This was the only choice if you want a quality freewheel. Put these on both bikes when I rebuilt them last year and they are holding up well.

Pros: Very high quality, smooth shifting, great engagement.

Cons: None.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: October 11, 2010
Reviewed by: Kenneth R., New York

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Good Quality

I use a 7 speed freewheel for an electric bike kit on one of my trikes. It shifts much smoother than the cheap freewheel that originally came with the kit.

Reviewed on: September 15, 2010
Reviewed by: Sean M., Virginia

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I bought the IRD after the Shimano equivalent at twice the price do to the reputation I read on line.

Pros: Great looking quality and very quiet pawls. Shifts on my 1983 Colnago with SR RD works great. Best shifting with friction shifters ever!. Increased the rear by one cog to 7spd

Cons: Expected the freewheel to be free from wobble. It wasn't I would think with todays NC tools they could control the quality of the tolerances much better for this price

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: September 15, 2010
Reviewed by: Patrick B., Oregon

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Better than expected

I was wary of these freewheels, having read some pretty bad reviews of the first two batches (M1 and M2). After about 1000 miles on the current M3-series 13-28 six speed, it seems that the problems with the previous two series have been solved. My LBS pro here in Japan was very impressed too.

Pros: Smooth shifting, very quiet, sturdy construction, nice finish, practical gear range.

Cons: I could gripe about the price, but it seems to be right for the supply and demand in the market.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: September 15, 2010
Reviewed by: David S., Kanagawa, Japan

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Old is new

I have been running thesre on two bikes, now 3, and love the silence. they do everyhing you would hope for for a few thousand miles so far.

Pros: Easy shifting, silence

Cons: heavy if that matters to you

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: September 01, 2010
Reviewed by: Robert p.

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