Classic & Vintage - new S/A front drum, any good

Anyone bought one of the "new" far east built Sturmey Archer front drum brakes??? How good do they work? If the dyno model, how well did it work? Pain in the but to remove because of cable attachment ?

Any info appreciated .

Robert

I've ridden one on a repo Schwinn Grey Ghost. It was terrible.

Anyone bought one of the "new" far east built Sturmey Archer front drum brakes??? How good do they work? If the dyno model, how well did it work? Pain in the but to remove because of cable attachment ?

Any info appreciated .

Robert

I have one of the flash combined drum brake and dynohub running on a RANS Rocket. So far it has been quite good. It felt a bit spongy at first, compared to the V-brakes, but stopped well and I have got used to the feel now. I used to run my V-brakes adjusted so that they were almost on. It is good in the wet. I have only had the hub for a couple of hundred kilometers so I don't know how long the brake shoes will last before they need replacing.

Having not ridden anther dynohub, I don't know how it compares for drag with other brands. The hub meets the German lighting standards so lights up the road nicely from about 5-6kph. The drag with the lights on is slightly noticable - It makes it slightly harder for to maintain a speed around 30kph over a 30km ride. I do have to adjust my headlight slightly as I am overriding the beam above about 27kph. It is nice having a reliable on demand lighting source.

I haven't yet had to take the wheel off (touch wood) but I don't think it will be to much of an issue. The brake cable just clips into place and the electrical cable has a connector like a Shimano dynohub. The only issue is the fact that it is not a quick release axle but nutted. I think that it would take longer to undo the nuts than it would to disconnect the cables.

I have one of the flash combined drum brake and dynohub running on a RANS Rocket. So far it has been quite good. It felt a bit spongy at first, compared to the V-brakes, but stopped well and I have got used to the feel now. I used to run my V-brakes adjusted so that they were almost on. It is good in the wet. I have only had the hub for a couple of hundred kilometers so I don't know how long the brake shoes will last before they need replacing.

Having not ridden anther dynohub, I don't know how it compares for drag with other brands. The hub meets the German lighting standards so lights up the road nicely from about 5-6kph. The drag with the lights on is slightly noticable - It makes it slightly harder for to maintain a speed around 30kph over a 30km ride. I do have to adjust my headlight slightly as I am overriding the beam above about 27kph. It is nice having a reliable on demand lighting source.

I haven't yet had to take the wheel off (touch wood) but I don't think it will be to much of an issue. The brake cable just clips into place and the electrical cable has a connector like a Shimano dynohub. The only issue is the fact that it is not a quick release axle but nutted. I think that it would take longer to undo the nuts than it would to disconnect the cables.


Thank you for the very informative reply.

Robert

I've just built up a wheel with one in it, no dyno, and installed it yesterday. I've done only 15 miles or so and here are my impressions....

On the downside:

* A little heavier than a caliper
* Doesn't have quite the stopping power of my other brakes. But it doesn't seem too dire thus far, I've had no problems.

On the upside:

* The extra high flanges and recessed spoke seats result in a really nice, stiff wheel that was easy to build for a total amateur like myself. I'm running a 27 x 1 1/4 so ride quality is still plenty good.
* brake modulation is really smooth and velvety.
* I don't like quick release so am glad it has nuts on it.
* rain does not affect braking (half of my 15 miles was in the rain!)
* adjustment of cable tension and removing the wheel is so darn easy - much easier than any other type of brake.
* my fenders and front racks don't get in the way of it.

Overall:

I love it!! You won't see a Tour de France winner with one on board but that's hardly the point. For commuting I reckon it's a great solution. I will be buying two more in the next few months: one for my lady friend's bike (coupled with an SA 8-speed drum-braked rear), and one for my track bike (that doesn't see the track) as the front fork is not drilled.