Abstract: The invention concerns a switchable locking element freewheel with two concentric cage rings and locking elements lodged in pockets thereof, the cage rings being movable relative to each other for switching the freewheel. In order to make such a freewheel basically operable in two opposing directions and to provide simple switchover facilities herefor and also for cases in which switchability is required only in one direction, the relative movement of the two cage rings serving to switch the freewheel is an axial displacement which, with a view to any further embodiments of the freewheel, can be converted into a rotary movement.