Sturmey Archer hub

[Klaw]

I apologize if this is more of a question directed to the Downtube co. and friends, but there isn't much info on their site, and the S.A. site has even less describing the technology. Can someone explain the advantages of the internal hub? From what I can tell it's low maintenance and a bit heavier. Is it just a matter of keeping the gearing cleaner? The product page describes not shifting while pedaling... which seems a bit odd to me. I read one thread describing it as superior to regular gearing, but didn't go much further. Any info appreciated as I'm looking at the Downtube FS and FS w internal hub systems, thanks.

[mulleady]

See the thread:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=229447&highlight=hub+gears

I have the Downtube VIII H with the Sturmey Archer 8 speed hub. Great set of gears once tuned and much better than derailleur gears in my opinion. Less cleaning and perfect when commuting because of ability to change when stationary. For me it is no contest.

[Klaw]

So there's a drum brake built into it as well? So you have a v-brake up front and internal brake in the hub? I found a link to the S.A. pdf on the site in the FAQ area, sorry to be a pest, just still a little perplexed about it. How does the drum brake respond as opposed to a v-brake? Do you tune the gears or take it to a bike shop? I'm assuming you need to add lube to the hub at some point, again is this a pro shop tune-up every few years? Also curious about a rather ominous warning on the manual "WARNING: The hub must not be ridden out of adjustment as this may damage the internal parts and cause the hub to malfunction." So you get them adjusted immediately... sorry, my monkey brain is still looking at this like the monolith in 2001.

[Marrock]

AASHTA: http://sheldonbrown.com/gloss_i-k.html#internal

[LittlePixel]

With a hub gear you momentarily have to stop pedalling to change which can be a pain on a steep incline where you can lose momentum in that moment BUT the big plus is you can change to any gear when at the lights, so you don't get that 'oops I'm in the wrong gear - let's take off like a tortoise' problem. They are a lot more bombproof too - many Sturmey 3-speed hubs from the 1930s, 40s and fifties are still happily on the road doing serious miles - not something you often hear about with similar aged derailleurs...

[folder fanatic]

I have owned derailleur equipped bikes in the past. Now I only use/own internal hub geared bikes. All my folding bikes have the Sturmey-Archer 3 speed AW hub (w/o the braking within the hub). I just love the durability dependable action of these hubs. Only recently I donated an old English made Phillips with the same make internal hub gearing to charity. These hubs really do run and run long after the derailleurs give out.

[Marrock]

I thought I had an S-A three speed to put on my folder, unfortunately the one I got for free is a 40 spoke hub and the folders has 28 spoke wheels.

This made me sad.

[Squeazel]

I had the same problem- 40 hole SA hub with 36 hole rims. I calculated all of the spokes lengths (spent a couple of hours with graph paper and a calculator- really dredged up some half-forgotten high-school trigonometry)- for 3x lacing they came out to 8 each of 180mm, 181mm, 182mm... 188mm for a 395 ERD rim. The hub is steel, so it would be plenty strong for any kind of lacing shenanigans. (Then I went and got a 36 hole hub body from a trashed hub and put my good innards into it. But it would have worked.)

You could do the same, skipping 6 holes around the hub on each side (3-skip1-2-skip1-2-skip1). You'll come up with seven different lengths, probably in the same ballpark of lengths. You could even do some sort of crows foot lacing, since you'll need 7 lengths no matter how you do it. Plus you'd have the koolest wheel around.

[wahoonc]

I thought I had an S-A three speed to put on my folder, unfortunately the one I got for free is a 40 spoke hub and the folders has 28 spoke wheels.

This made me sad.

28 hole are out there...

Do you still need one?

Aaron:)

[Marrock]

I could use one, but there's no real rush, I don't feel like rebuilding the wheel right now and I can't afford it at the moment.

[alecw35]

Ive got a few AW 28 hole hubs

Got an AG dyno hub in 28 hole too.
It was on my BSA. Going to lace it to a 406 rim and use it

I saw a Raleigh ladies roadster abandoned beside the shopping centre on monday morning.
I was thinking of biking it up to my work as I was late.
But the rear rim was buckled and the front tube was out.

Only thing on it worth stripping of was the rear hub. And that'll be 40 spoke.
No use for nothing.

Anyway. I bought a Raleigh Max girls bike last week.
Wanted the 16" alloy rims from it. Going to build them onto a 3 speed hub
There 20 spoke. I got the hub years ago in a scrap kids bike.
Its going onto my Custom Raleigh Boxer kids bike.
Unless I can get a frame that fits me.