Success turning 3-speed into a 6-speed
06-04-13, 11:00 PM
#1
Drive the Bicycle.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Northern California
Posts: 608
Bikes: Three-speed modified for comfort.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Success turning 3-speed into a 6-speed
--Years ago I posted this:https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ight=77Univega and asked:
"Has anyone had success with adding a front derailleur onto a 3-speed bicycle with a rear in-hub shifter (like a Sturmey Archer) thus creating a transmission with six usable gears? "
(Yes, it would have to have a chain tensioner.)
Well, I have successfully converted a Windsor Oxford 3-speed to six speeds by adding a granny chainring, front derailleur and chain tensioner. The local terrain here is mostly low hills with an occasional steep one.
Also, I hired a local bike mechanic to locate the seat back for my flat-footed comfort.
I did it just to do it.
Enclosed are pictures, I will answer questions.
"Has anyone had success with adding a front derailleur onto a 3-speed bicycle with a rear in-hub shifter (like a Sturmey Archer) thus creating a transmission with six usable gears? "
(Yes, it would have to have a chain tensioner.)
Well, I have successfully converted a Windsor Oxford 3-speed to six speeds by adding a granny chainring, front derailleur and chain tensioner. The local terrain here is mostly low hills with an occasional steep one.
Also, I hired a local bike mechanic to locate the seat back for my flat-footed comfort.
I did it just to do it.
Enclosed are pictures, I will answer questions.
__________________
"The bicycle is the perfect transducer to match man's metabolic energy to the impedance of locomotion. Equipped with this tool, man outstrips the efficiency of not only all machines but all other animals as well." Ivan Illich ('Energy and Equity')1974
"The bicycle is the perfect transducer to match man's metabolic energy to the impedance of locomotion. Equipped with this tool, man outstrips the efficiency of not only all machines but all other animals as well." Ivan Illich ('Energy and Equity')1974
06-07-13, 10:33 AM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Gaseous Cloud around Uranus
Posts: 3,741
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 38 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 11 Times
in
7 Posts
To hell with the gears,what in Gods name is attached to your seat post?....I'm gathering you have no problems putting your socks on.....
Last edited by Booger1; 06-07-13 at 10:44 AM.
06-07-13, 01:09 PM
#4
Drive the Bicycle.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Northern California
Posts: 608
Bikes: Three-speed modified for comfort.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
-- It is not in God's name, it is in the "Flat-foot" name This seat modification is for the benefit of my 65-year-old butt. Flat-foot bikes allow the rider seated on the bike to pedal with the feet slightly forward, providing good leg extension, while being able to plant the other foot flat on the ground. A local garage-based bike mechanic did the work with his mig welder. I really like the result and think it is right for the Alt Bike Culture forum.
__________________
"The bicycle is the perfect transducer to match man's metabolic energy to the impedance of locomotion. Equipped with this tool, man outstrips the efficiency of not only all machines but all other animals as well." Ivan Illich ('Energy and Equity')1974
"The bicycle is the perfect transducer to match man's metabolic energy to the impedance of locomotion. Equipped with this tool, man outstrips the efficiency of not only all machines but all other animals as well." Ivan Illich ('Energy and Equity')1974
06-09-13, 10:54 AM
#5
Full Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Chattanooga, Tn
Posts: 300
Bikes: 1977 Raleigh Record, 1987 Schwinn Prelude, 1971 Raleigh Record, 1988 Schwinn Traveler, 1967 (?) Carlton Super Course, 1959 Huffy Sportsman 3 speed, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, yet another 70-something Raleigh Record
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 50 Post(s)
Liked 18 Times
in
11 Posts
A couple of questions. Is the flat piece welded to the chainstay? Also, how much tension does the spring have -- is it a screen door spring?
06-09-13, 03:52 PM
#6
Drive the Bicycle.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Northern California
Posts: 608
Bikes: Three-speed modified for comfort.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
-- Yes, the flat piece is welded. You can see holes where I had screwed on a temporary clamp to align the tensioner with the chain line. Getting the alignment was the most time consuming part. I was able to make fine adjustments by simply bending the flat plate. After lots of road testing I removed the clamp and had it welded on.
The spring is a common hardware store tension spring. I had a couple springs in my you-never-know box and decided on the best tension by trial and error. The attachment points for the spring were lucky finds: one end is in a slot on the tensioner and the other is on a cable guide.
Thanks for your questions.
__________________
"The bicycle is the perfect transducer to match man's metabolic energy to the impedance of locomotion. Equipped with this tool, man outstrips the efficiency of not only all machines but all other animals as well." Ivan Illich ('Energy and Equity')1974
"The bicycle is the perfect transducer to match man's metabolic energy to the impedance of locomotion. Equipped with this tool, man outstrips the efficiency of not only all machines but all other animals as well." Ivan Illich ('Energy and Equity')1974
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
KittiPaws
Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg)
22
05-08-13 01:25 PM
