Utility Cycling - show me some current model 3 speeds

I'm starting to think about a new bike, and think I want a lightweight, CroMo frame, 3 speed bike rolling on 700 or 29



I'm 6'4", and a beach cruiser style won't do for me -- heavier than I want and too small for me, really - I have one, I know




I know I could get an old English style bike, but what is out now that is more modern?







thanks for suggestions, links and pics - I want to stay far below $1000 US

Gary Fisher Simple City.

http://www.fisherbikes.com/bike/model/simple-city-3M/bigimage

http://www.khsbicycles.com/09_green_08.htm

http://www.konaworld.com/08_africabike3_w.htm

the fisher looks nice - actually saw one at a LBS a few weeks ago, but a smaller sized frame


the KHS is HiTen, which I'm not interested in - the Kona a one size cruiser, which is worthless to my long legged self

I currently ride an old Varsity converted to 3 speed coaster, 26x1.5, and have a Schwinn balloon tire cruiser, as well - I love the Varsity, and I guess I'm kinda looking for a modernized, lighter version of that, with the bigger wheels



thanks for the links

it's hard to find a 3 speed that's not totally upright, isn't it?

Sounds much like what timeUnit is looking for. Some more links in his thread.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=462062

Maybe you could get hold of a frame and build it up?

it's hard to find a 3 speed that's not totally upright, isn't it?

Most 3 speeds are designed for upright riding. If you want something else, build it;) I am building up a Clubman (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/retroraleighs/clubman-kohler.html) style bike on an old Dawes frameset. I am 6'-2" with long legs and arms, most off the shelf bikes don't fit well at all. I have a nice Raleigh Superbe (http://2whls3spds.blogspot.com/2008/06/queen-fleet-street-well-my-street.html) in the 23" frame and it is a bit on the short side. The Dawes is a 25.5":thumb:

Aaron:)

This place sells 700 wheels and sets with three speeds and coaster brakes or not. Build your own bike using a road frame.
http://nycbikes.com/catalog.php?item_cat=components&item_type=Wheels

yeah - it's looking like building is the way to go, but I wanted to make sure there weren't a few models I'd missed that would suit me


thanks for all the suggestions so far

If your building it, you might consider a hub with more than three gears. The Shimano Nexus 8 speed even comes in a coaster brake version if you like that.

Like you, I wanted an internal geared bike, and wasn't thrilled with the offerings...so I found an old schwinn world sport chrome moly bike and built new wheels for it. I have been riding it for the last week, and am pretty happy with it. Now to strip the frame down, add and subtract some braze-ons, and paint it nice. (the origional paint is in pretty bad shape)

Photos (http://kevbo.smugmug.com/gallery/5955473_HTNjp#371276732_6Xfgf)

Just make sure you check the flea markets and dumpsters in your area. You might find a bike that just need a clean up and som new bars for your ridingstyle. In this area so many goos bikes is dumped I could cry. Especially three speeds.

SWOBO Otis. Coolist bike I own for pleasure riding with girlfriend, errands, relaxing.

http://www.swobo.com/catalog/product_info_b.php?cPath=201_207

Can you just wedge a 3speed hub into a tarck frame?

Can you just wedge a 3speed hub into a tarck frame?

trust me, I've been looking at BikesDirect stuff and the Schwinn Madison with that idea in mind





BADMOTHER - as far as rescuing dumpster bikes, I do that a couple times a week, it seems ;)


this is what I'm currently on

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y4/jjpistols/bike/bike2/PICT0694.jpg

an old varsity with a 26x1.5 3 speed coaster brake wheelset - classic dumpster save/rebuild


I've sold off everything but two (including old dumpster 3 speeds), probably gonna sell my cruiser, and now I want to see what's out there that I've missed



KEVBO - your Schwinn looks badass - nice work


AARON - clubman is cool -- I've been drooling over the Guv'nor for a while now

http://www.pashley.co.uk/products/guvnor-3-speed.html



DYNOCOASTER - again thanks for the links - NYCbikes has some great stuff




the nice thing is I've got a bike to ride while I think about all this -- I can take years to decide and still ride!

Can you just wedge a 3speed hub into a tarck frame?

The Shimano Nexus-3 has 120mm OLD, so it should work fine. If you can find a Nexus-4 (out of production) it will fit also. Most of the Sturmey Archer 3sp hubs will also fit, though the older ones had a nasty habit of dropping from third to a neutral under sustained hard pedaling. I have heard a rumor that the current Asian owner of the SA marque has corrected this fault, so the new ones may be better. I have 1000 miles or so on a Nexus-3 and can't find any issue with it. (It is in a badly built wheel that keeps breaking spokes, but that is not the fault of the hub) Most other IGHs need 130-136 mm spacing.


Note that the OP is 6'4" tall. Unless he (if she: How YOU doin'?) has very short legs for his height, this tends to limit the options, as not that many bikes are offered in a 64cm frame size, and it is a very rare dumpster bike that is much larger than average...in fact there is a dumpster bias toward outgrown kid's bikes so on average they run toward the small side.

As for track frames: These tend toward short chainstays and low bottom brackets. Many tall riders prefer longer stays to help keep the front wheel on the ground (and allow size 13 heels to clear panniers) and a bit higher BB to allow use of longer crank arms. Also with the current fixie fad, the track frame market is somewhat inflated. Older touring bikes, on the other hand, tend to work out well.

I like this one at NYC bikes: http://nycbikes.com/item.php?item_id=577

The Shimano Nexus-3 has 120mm OLD, so it should work fine. If you can find a Nexus-4 (out of production) it will fit also. Most of the Sturmey Archer 3sp hubs will also fit, though the older ones had a nasty habit of dropping from third to a neutral under sustained hard pedaling. I have heard a rumor that the current Asian owner of the SA marque has corrected this fault, so the new ones may be better. I have 1000 miles or so on a Nexus-3 and can't find any issue with it. (It is in a badly built wheel that keeps breaking spokes, but that is not the fault of the hub) Most other IGHs need 130-136 mm spacing.


Note that the OP is 6'4" tall. Unless he (if she: How YOU doin'?) has very short legs for his height, this tends to limit the options, as not that many bikes are offered in a 64cm frame size, and it is a very rare dumpster bike that is much larger than average...in fact there is a dumpster bias toward outgrown kid's bikes so on average they run toward the small side.

As for track frames: These tend toward short chainstays and low bottom brackets. Many tall riders prefer longer stays to help keep the front wheel on the ground (and allow size 13 heels to clear panniers) and a bit higher BB to allow use of longer crank arms. Also with the current fixie fad, the track frame market is somewhat inflated. Older touring bikes, on the other hand, tend to work out well.

That was actually corrected on all SA AW hubs built after 1984 IIRC.

Aaron:)

I currently ride an old Varsity converted to 3 speed coaster, 26x1.5, (snip) I love the Varsity, and I guess I'm kinda looking for a modernized, lighter version of that, with the bigger wheels

I,too, love my 3 speed but the selection in new today is very narrow. IMO you'd be much
better off, at the end of the day, to invest a few bucks in the ol' dependable Varsity and
build a bike that fits YOU and meets YOUR needs. That old steel Varsity frame may be
a bit heavy but it's almost bulletproof. You could do much worse with your money IMO.

It also helps to remember that the 3 sp is all about utility and dependablity at low
urban speeds.

There are some here that have re-habbed old dependable bikes into a beautiful bikes that
are real drool material. :thumb:

Schwinn Coffee? Link: http://commutebybike.com/2008/04/17/schwinn-coffee-and-cream/

Schwinn Coffee? Link: http://commutebybike.com/2008/04/17/schwinn-coffee-and-cream/

AFAIK it only comes in one frame size...too small!:notamused:

Aaron:)

That was actually corrected on all SA AW hubs built after 1984 IIRC.

Aaron:)

(the slipping out of 3rd problem)

Consider my ignorance fought. Thank you sir!

There are a half dozen or so manufacturers doing "commuter single speeds". Think stuff like the Bianchi San Jose or the Raleigh One Way. These bikes are pretty easy to convert into a 3 speed, since they tend to be steel and have track ends or semi-horizontal dropouts. And the basic geometry tends to be on the relaxed side for a road bike. I need to poke my partner to do some more test riding... these sorts of bikes seem to be His Thing.

The Schwinn Madison is cheap which is nice, but it seems heavy to me compared to the others I've handled. And considering the Raleigh already has a Brooks on it... doesn't say good things about the Schwinn. It also seems to have *much* less tire clearance, so odds are it can't take snow tires.

Main advantage with going for a new frame is you can get one that's is really and truly big enough.