Step by step guide; Replacing a rear wheel with a coaster/roller brake

This guide will show you how to replace a rear wheel with a coaster/roller brake.

What you'll need

Important to know before you begin

Placing your bicycle in a bicycle repair stand or on hooks will make this job a lot easier!
Working on the bicycle while standing means less strain on your back.

Step 1 : Removing a rear wheel with a coaster brake

Use both 10mm spanners to loosen the bolt and nut of the brake arm clip. (1)
Now remove the brake arm clip.
Loosen both axle nuts, using a 15mm spanner, without removing them. (2)
Remove the clickbox and indicator chains (if present). (3)

Step 2 : Removing a rear wheel with a coaster brake

If your bicycle has chain tensioners, they are now the only thing keeping the wheel in place. (1)
Loosen the chain tensioner (using a 10mm spanner), enough to remove the bicycle chain from the sprocket easily. (2)
Now there is enough slack for the wheel to be removed from the dropouts.
The dropouts are the part of the frame holding the wheel axle.
Carefully lower the wheel while making sure that the chain does not catch on anything.

Step 3 : Mounting a rear wheel with a coaster brake

Place the chain tensioners on the axle with the round side facing out so it slides between the dropouts. Then lift the rear wheel enough to slide the chain over the axle. (1)
Make sure the chain tensioners and chain are on the inside of the frame and slide the wheel back in the dropouts. (2)
Mount the brake arm on the frame using the brake arm clip, and lightly tighten the bolt. This way you will still be able to move the wheel in the frame.
Put the chain back on the sprocket and place the chain tensioners against the frame. (1)
Tighten the chain tensioners on both sides using a 10mm spanner until the chain is slightly tensioned. (2)
The axle nuts and clip can now be fully tightened. Make sure the wheel is placed correctly (straight),
for instance by measuring the space between the rear fork and rim on both sides.

Step 4 : Removing a rear wheel with a roller brake

Use two spanners/box wrenches to loosen the brake arm clip. (1)
Fully turn the brake cable adjuster screw to create slack on the brake cable, and pull the cable holder from the roller brake arm. (2)
Slightly turn the cable clamp bolt counter-clockwise and push it out of the roller brake. (3)

If the brake cable is tuned too tightly, you may need to slightly loosen the adjuster screw on the brake lever.

Step 5 : Removing a rear wheel with a roller brake

Remove the back part of the chain guard, which can either be screwed on or clipped on. (1)
You may also need to remove the front part of the chain guard. For a guide on how to remove the chain guard, go to the blog titled Removing a chain guard.
Now loosen the axle nuts on the rear wheel. (2)
If the wheel has chain tensioners, loosen them now. (3)

Step 6 : Removing a rear wheel with a roller brake

Remove the gear cable from the cassette joint in order to create slack. (1)
Take the inner cable and push it towards the back of the bicycle to create sufficient slack on the cable clamp, so you can push it from its holder. (2)
You can now remove the rear wheel from the dropouts.

Step 7 : Mounting a rear wheel with a roller brake

Lift the wheel to put it back in the dropouts and tighten the axle nuts by hand so the wheel is kept in place. Make sure the lock ring is in place. (1)
Slightly tighten the brake arm caliper again. Not too tight - you still need to tension the chain. (2)
The brake cable clamp screw can now be pushed back into the roller brake. (2)
Pull the cable holder forward and push it back into the roller brake arm. (3)

Step 8 : Mounting a rear wheel with a roller brake

The gear cable clamp screw can now be mounted, the same way you replaced the brake cable clamp screw. (1)
Lead the gear cable back toward the front over the cassette joint. (2)
You can now pull the outer cable back into the cable holder through the front of the cassette joint. (3)

Step 9 : Mounting a rear wheel with a roller brake