Bandera

Not ancient kit but I'm considering adding a 3 speed fixed gear IGH to the fleet, a C&V-ish project.

Winter is the traditional time to get fixed gear miles in but this Fall has been brutally windy keeping my 70GI FG on the hook while I plod uphill & into the wind on more mundane machines. An SX3 48/18 would yield 70/53/44GI, about what I've been riding for the last week.

Does anyone have experience using this hub as well as conventional FG miles?

-Bandera

ThermionicScott 

I haven't gotten the chance to use one of these, but I gear my FG down to ~59" when winter rolls around. Of course, that's because I'm dealing with snow and studded tires, while you probably aren't.

I wish they made one with the ASC's tighter ratios -- it would be really tempting for winter. Or anytime, really.

Bandera

I've been riding FG 70-75GI for many decades and have nice loops in the Hill Country to enjoy on the FG but a strong constant North wind and our local grades are keeping me on the road bikes. Perhaps it's just a desire to tinker, a love for FG and IGH, the N+ but couldn't possibly have anything to do with advanced age.

-Bandera

Velognome 

Bandera, I've been riding one for a few years now. Set properly the hub works flawlessly, shifts are quick, particularly upshifts, down shifts take some practice. I ride mostly fixed unless I'm planning a long ride or fetching groceries. I'm not of hipster age, so the added gears are perfect for head winds, and climbing and just for being lazy at times.

The set up feels more akin to a 3 speed than a fixed gear even though it is fixed. I think it's mostly the complexity of the hub and the slight back lash in the lower gears that leave that impression.

Mine is set up with approx. 80" in high with the 2 lower gears for climbing and a bailout if a hill gets too big. Works well, I can spin the big gear, climb hills in the lower and attain maybe 25mph before I feel like I'm spinning out on descents.

The bike is one of my favorites.

mparker326

I have been using one for a few years as well now. I have mine geared with an 86, 64, 54. It is pretty hilly around here. I really enjoy the mid 80's going down hill and long flat straight aways. I agree with the gnome in that it rides more like a 3 speed. I have my commuter set up with it.

ThermionicScott 

Perish the thought! I do use 71" in the non-winter months. Great all-around gear.

JohnDThompson 

My "weather" bike is set up with an S3X and 48 x 15 gearing:



I've done a rainy century on it without problems.

Bandera

Thanks guys! Great feedback.
My AW/Cyclo 3 cog town bike gets lots of use so the transition to IGH_FG should be a doddle.

I'm going to leave my FG as is and start the requirements planning for the FG_3 project.


-Bandera

Dylansbob 

Just for an opposing view, I hated my s3x. The amount of mechanical resistance of using the planetary gears made it feel like you were still working just as hard in the lower gears than you would have if you stayed in the direct drive. Then there is also the weight, which might not be a big problem on a more vintage frame. I had originally tried it in a pursuit frame with super short chainstays and it really felt like I was dragging an anchor.

Bandera

Thanks for the dissenting opinion, always good to hear pro/cons.

The requirements I'm developing are for a 3spd FG road bike to ride when conditions (like today w/ strong North winds howling down the hills) keep me off the FG road bike I've been riding for 20 years. The simplest and least costly path may be to build an SX3 set-up and install it on my FG Trek as a test mule. Same bike, new drivetrain would provide a direct comparison of the SX3's viability. No great loss if it doesn't meet requirements.

-Bandera

Velognome 

Really? You could feel the mechanical drag and the hub weight when riding? Not saying it doesn't exist, but you could feel it?

rhm

I have that hub on my Lambert, which I geared the same as John D T's Viscount. That bike lives on Long Island, a region not noted for its hills, but I seek them out.

I'm not really sure what to make of Dylansbob's misgivings. I certainly believe he didn't like it, but if he's not in the habit of riding three speed hubs (which I don't know) then I wonder if he could give it an objective test.

The S3X hub obviously has some of the characteristics of a three speed hub and some of the characteristics of a fixed gear, but I find it more like a three speed (which I ride often) than a fixie (which I also ride quite a bit). I don't notice more drag with the S3X than with other geared hubs.