Folding Bikes - Dahon Curve D3, 3rd gear adjustment?

I have a Dahon Curve D3, and after replacing a rear tire, 3rd gear isn't holding. Do I lengthen or shorten the cable adjustment?

Many thanks!

I feel your pain. It took me quite a few tries to get the hang of adjusting the cable tension. I read and re-read Sheldon Brown's instructions:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/sturmey-archer.html

And I also used the Sturmey Archer service manual:

http://www.sturmey-archer.com/hubs_3spd_SRF3.php

Note: As far as I know there is no longer a neutral between 2nd and 3rd on this hub. I tried for a long time to get it there until someone told me this. :lol:

The SRAM Dual-Drive (also a 3-spd) is a definitely a lot easier to adjust.

I have a Dahon Curve D3, and after replacing a rear tire, 3rd gear isn't holding. Do I lengthen or shorten the cable adjustment?

Many thanks!

Slacken just a touch. If third won't stay in still, slacken another touch, until it does. Then check that first is solidly engaging.

I have the same hub I think (SA SRF3) and what I do is this:

Adjust the cable so that it is just a wee bit slack when the twist grip is in third. You should just find you can wobble the cable.

Check engagement of 1st and 3rd gear. If third won't engage reliably, slacken a single turn of the adjuster. If first won't engage, tighten a touch until it does.

Check again first and third.

No low gear tighten. No third gear slacken.

EvilV:

Many thanks. That's just what I needed.

sotto

SA3 adjustment is outlined in the Brompton owners manual. Download and see page 14:

http://www.brompton.co.uk/content.asp?p=211&l=1

SA3 adjustment is outlined in the Brompton owners manual. Download and see page 14:

http://www.brompton.co.uk/content.asp?p=211&l=1

+1 - adjusting the D3 is dirt simple. Switch to second gear, twist the threaded adjuster until the end of the indicator rod is aligned with the end of the axle, tighten the nut down to keep it from slipping.

The hardest part is ripping off that huge black cover...

-Ken

Well, for someone with an advanced degree and a job in science, I found even the Sturmey Archer SRF3 instructions in the link above difficult to follow. There is an illustration in the SA instructions, but prior to that I didn't know which piece exactly was the threaded adjuster and which piece was the indicator rod. What I did do based on EvilV's perfectly clear explanation above is put the bike in third gear, and slightly unscrew the knurled sleeve that is directly at the end of the black plastic or vinyl cover over the gear cable. This, as EvilV points out above, slightly slackens the cable, and then I tighted the little locknut to keep this setting in place. That fixed the problem of my third gear not staying engaged. It's perfect now. I also noticed that it was much easier to shift into first gear, so clearly the cable was too tight prior to my adjustment.

I agree the diagrams aren't ideal. From the Brompton Yahoo forum there is mention of a nice video showing the same almost identical process for a SA5:

SA 5 speed hub adjustment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_P9Z4viP_0

And also for a Sram 3: Sram gear cable chain adjustment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DX6KfC9uOUU

Well, for someone with an advanced degree and a job in science,

Same here. It's irrelevant.


I found even the Sturmey Archer SRF3 instructions in the link above difficult to follow. There is an illustration in the SA instructions, but prior to that I didn't know which piece exactly was the threaded adjuster and which piece was the indicator rod.

Excellent point - Thinking back after posting, I had the same question when I started messing with them. I agree that SA could have been more descriptive and the diagrams are a little weak. Sorry for the confusion and my lacking explanation.


What I did do based on EvilV's perfectly clear explanation above is put the bike in third gear, and slightly unscrew the knurled sleeve that is directly at the end of the black plastic or vinyl cover over the gear cable. This, as EvilV points out above, slightly slackens the cable, and then I tighted the little locknut to keep this setting in place. That fixed the problem of my third gear not staying engaged. It's perfect now. I also noticed that it was much easier to shift into first gear, so clearly the cable was too tight prior to my adjustment.

I'm very glad it worked for you. I simply attempted to describe another method of adjusting the linkage without having to judge slackness or tightness. I was also attempting to let folks know that it's not a difficult hub to adjust...Even for someone with an advanced degree and a job in science.

-Ken

I'm very glad it worked for you. I simply attempted to describe another method of adjusting the linkage without having to judge slackness or tightness. I was also attempting to let folks know that it's not a difficult hub to adjust...Even for someone with an advanced degree and a job in science.

-Ken

Ha ha. I did appreciate your reply, Ken. Finally getting it to work brought me back to my boyhood days 50 years ago in small town Iowa when I had to figure all this stuff out myself in order to adjust my Huffy Sportsman with a similar 3 speed hub. Funny how things come full circle.

Oh, and thanks for that video link Bangkok. Wish I could view it here at work. I'll catch it later on the couch after I take my Pulse Kick 'n Go scooter around the block for it's nightly abuse.