kovurex

Hello bikesters!
I have this beautiful 1980 Schwinn Collegiate 3 with a Sturmey-Archer S3C hub that's decided to switch gears whenever it pleases, leaving me spinning the tension-less pedals uselessly and/or falling over. I've asked a few bike-savvy people what to do about this, including a professional mechanic, who suggested I fiddle with the cable until I find a happy medium. I've fiddled and wiggled a bunch, including as per Sheldon Brown's instructions (https://sheldonbrown.com/english-3.html) and it still falls out of gear all the time. Is there any way to/would it be worth it to convert this bike into a fixed gear? I think the problem came about when I removed the back tire to change the inner tube and somehow messed up the tension of the cable. If there is another suggestion for fixing this, I'm open, if not, can it be converted?

I don't have any pictures of my own, but this thread has pictures of the same kind of bike and gear.
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...inn+collegiate

Thanks!

PS Sorry if this is the wrong forum, I debated over this or the fixed gear forum for a while and ended up here.

rotharpunc

that problem should be fixable, I've heard it discussed. Someone more knowledgeable will chime in, I'm sure

mkeller234

Yeah, that should be fixable. There is that weird neutral in between the gears. Could the problem be chipped pawls? I have only ever worked on SW hubs and since you have a Schwinn Collegiate I assume yours is an AW.

artguywes

I've set up Sturmy hubs as well as repaired two speed bendix ones. You need to clic the lever to your lowest gear. Make sure the threaded adjusting barrel is at its halfway point so you can tighten or loosen.

Test to make sure it is in low gear by alowing the chain to go into the hub to its furthest and checking the sprocket to ensure it is engaged. While pulling all tension out of the line from the shifter reattach the cable to the hub making sure it is on all wheels and pulleys. If it is still in gear you should be able to shift up easily. You can set it while it is in lowest gear. Move the tensioner barrel in or out until the gear engagement is solid and doesn't slip.

Doohickie

The "slip" is probably between gears 2 and 3. There is a gap between those two gears. If it does it with the selector in 3rd, loosen the cable; if it does it in 2nd, tighten it.