sarahivancic

I just picked up one of these for $25 at my local thrift store. I had to get the tires replaced due to dry rot and ended up spending more than I had intended. grrr. Anyway my question has to do with the gears. The speed shifter is not like the normal multiple gear/chain mechanism. (I'm not too familiar with bike lingo or part names so sorry if my terminology is all wrong.) The shifter mechanism seems to be internal and the wire was broken when I bought it. Its stuck on the hardest gear and I was wondering if anyone might know an easy way to get it shifted to an easier gear, or will that require fixing the whole shifter. And if so how would I go about doing that myself? I really want to try to learn how to do things myself because even the second hand bike shops here like to charge a fortune for their labor.

Thanks!

kramnnim

It might be something as simple as replacing the shifter cable (wire). Kind of hard to tell without looking at it. Pictures may help with providing instructions on how to replace the cable. Take one of the shifter, and one of the rear wheel/hub/chain area.

You should be able to buy a new cable for $1-$5.

sarahivancic

here are a few pics, thanks!

Pompiere

It appears that you have lost the entire cable and routing hardware. You will also need an "indicator chain". The indicator chain screws into the hole in the right side of the hub to give the cable something to connect to. You will also need a cable stop, a pulley, and a fulcrum clip. If you have a fully enclosed cable, you won't need a pulley.
This page and its links will show everything you need: https://sheldonbrown.com/sturmey-archer.html

sarahivancic

It took me a while to figure out what all this meant, but I think I've got it. The cable that was on the bike was broken so I took it off and I will need to get a new one. I did save the tube that the cable went through (and another little piece which I think is the cable stop), I suppose I should have included that in the photo, and there is also a pulley already attached to the frame which is pretty apparent that it is for the shifter cable. So I think all I need is the indicator chain and the cable? Does that sound right?

sportridertex

sounds right....

wrk101

Hard to make economic sense out of lower end bikes, even those found at garage sales or thrift shops, unless you do all the work yourself. As you are finding, parts and service can be costly, and you will quickly exceed the value of the bike. A thorough bike rehab can cost $200 or more at a bike shop. Flippers buy their parts in bulk, on sale, cheap, and do their own wrenching. For example, a set of new tires and tubes cost me $15.

sarahivancic

hmm well we will see. I think I found all the parts for the shifter that I need and all for under $20 and I'm pretty sure I can put it all together myself. If so then I think it made perfect economic sense, I still will have paid less than a "walmart bike" and I bet it will suit me better too.

kramnnim

Awesome...if you have any issues, post 'em...

sailorbenjamin

Some good advice on adjusting Sturmey Archer 3 speed hubs;
https://sheldonbrown.com/english-3.html
Check all of the links too. This website is our Bible.

wahoonc

Good find...got a picture of the whole bike? All the Schwinn Collegiates I have run across have been the later ones built by Giant with the Shimano hubs.

Aaron

wrk101

+1 Glad you found all the parts, that will help for sure.