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Bring back the English 3-speed

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Bring back the English 3-speed

Old 10-26-09, 05:44 PM
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Originally Posted by flammenwurfer
Damn you joek! I saw those and was going to bid on one, but they wouldn't ship. I'm guessing you did local pickup right? Is that seat comfy? It doesn't look too bad.
Yes somewhat local (50 miles away) seat is sprung but narrow,may end up with a GYES saddle. I was very surprised there were no other bids, the other one from this seller went for around $12. things are pretty grim here in Michigan. fwiw joe
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Old 10-26-09, 10:02 PM
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You're damn right I'd drive 50 miles for a brand new 3 speed with lugged frame at $10. Great deal, enjoy it!
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Old 12-14-09, 10:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Elkhound
I just got an e-mail from a certain well-known bike company to the effect that they are planning to introduce an "English three speed" type bike for 2010. It will actually be a seven or eight speed, but it will have an internal hub gear, a set-back seat, built in racks and fenders, backswept handlebars, and an integrated generator lighting system. I won't say which company as I don't want to spill the beans.
So has this bike been announced yet? I'm curious.
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Old 12-15-09, 01:59 PM
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The Kona Africa Bike is essentially a modern "English" three-speed. A bit heavy, but it has the cro-mo frame, the three-speed hub, and the tough utility build. I think my knees would prefer at least eight speeds, but I'm considering one.
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Old 12-15-09, 04:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Rhodabike
The Kona Africa Bike is essentially a modern "English" three-speed. A bit heavy, but it has the cro-mo frame, the three-speed hub, and the tough utility build. I think my knees would prefer at least eight speeds, but I'm considering one.
Gary Fisher has the Simple City 3 (men's and women's pictured below) At about $600 these are a little more than the Kona but also in the same vein.

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Old 12-15-09, 10:07 PM
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Don't forget the upgraded 3-speed Flying Pigeon available from www.joe-bike.com in Portland. They've upgraded many of the components including the front brake, pedals, crank, cog, and IGH. Unfortunately, the shop's clearing out their Flying Pigeons this winter, but they've got some great bargains on all 3 models (single speed, 3-speed and 8-speed).

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Old 12-29-09, 04:49 PM
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I got a 1966 Hercules men's three-speed from craigslist yesterday. It's in very good condition. The rust is coming off readily with a brass brush wheel attached to my drill. The paint is a wonderful bright red.

I took it on an errand today. And as I suspected, it doesn't ride that great. I guess I like a lighter bike with more aggressive geometry. I'm going to try changing the position. I'll move the seat back and the stem down. I might get a stem with a longer reach. But as I suspected, this is not the perfect town bike for me.

It is lovely, though.
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Old 01-21-10, 02:06 PM
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I am sorry that I have not followed this thread and have only read the first page or so..

Where I live, many people ride a single-speed Atlas or Hero made in India patterned on the old (pre-WW II) British single-speed bicycle. The rims are steel and are 28".

It seems to me that if a 3-speed hub would be used in place of the s-s one, then you would have the type of bike the OP yearned for. The Indian saddles are imitation leather but are very comfortable with their rear coiled springs. Pretty cheap too - and heavy and durable. Where I live the bikes go for less than $100 US. However, in the USA there would be importer's profits, etc.

Just a thought :-)
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Old 01-22-10, 11:29 AM
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1111091630a.jpg1111091631a.jpg1111091631.jpg1111091630b.jpg
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Old 01-22-10, 11:36 AM
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Beautiful specimen, juls.
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Old 01-22-10, 04:21 PM
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Nice. Chrome and paint look great. What year? 70s?
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Old 01-25-10, 05:26 AM
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Thanks for the comp. It's a 73. Intoduceing year for the self adjusting brake levers.
Since has new tires and tubes. Would be sweet with cream tires on there-but can't justify the cost on a non-rider.
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Old 01-25-10, 10:09 AM
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What is it, a show bike?!
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Old 02-01-10, 03:06 AM
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Not a show-Just too big for me.
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Old 02-04-10, 06:02 AM
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Wow. I've always loved the Brit bikes and the Dutch and Dutch styled bikes. My problem is I'm too bloody short for most of them. The itch to ride something with an upright seating position became a necessity so I began looking online for the various iterations or the classic three speed. I ended up getting a GT Aerostream through REI for $320.00 and change. Haven't had the chance to ride it yet because this is central MN. The Aerostream has a three speed internal hub, fenders (although the front fender isn't long enough in the rear) with a Gates belt instead of a chain. Plastic chain guard but it works. 700c wheels and came with sprung luggage rack and panniers. Pull back bar. Aluminum frame and chro fork. Out the door for three hundred for a new bike.

I know it won't stack up in any way to the Pashleys and Raleighs etc but for a short person there really isn't too much from which to choose. I'm not hard on my bikes so this GT Aerostream ought to hold up. Still going to keep an eye out for a build candidate or better yet, the real thing. Around here though, they're equivalent to hen's teeth.

Just thought I'd throw out this bike as a potential option for those who read this wonderful thread and want a modern variant of some of the features which the classic utility machines were appreciated.

Harv

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Old 02-04-10, 02:15 PM
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Originally Posted by tmac100
I am sorry that I have not followed this thread and have only read the first page or so..

Where I live, many people ride a single-speed Atlas or Hero made in India patterned on the old (pre-WW II) British single-speed bicycle. The rims are steel and are 28".

It seems to me that if a 3-speed hub would be used in place of the s-s one, then you would have the type of bike the OP yearned for. The Indian saddles are imitation leather but are very comfortable with their rear coiled springs. Pretty cheap too - and heavy and durable. Where I live the bikes go for less than $100 US. However, in the USA there would be importer's profits, etc.

Just a thought :-)
Velo Orange imports a Indian roadster IIRC. Also there are a number of importers and/or dealers for the Chinese Flying Pigeon Raleigh roadster clones. Unfortunately prices here are considerably above the $100 you mention.

I have no idea whether the Indian or Chinese made bikes are better mechanically and in quality of finish.
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Old 02-04-10, 02:21 PM
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Shimano has announced a 11 speed Alfine hub for late 2010 scheduled delivery, at least in Europe. Several interesting features per the initial announcement including oil bath lubrication like the Rohloff IGH and a 409% overall range. With presumably a 135mm OLD it will not fit older IGH frames though without frame modifications.
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Old 02-06-10, 03:08 PM
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Originally Posted by tatfiend
Velo Orange imports a Indian roadster IIRC. Also there are a number of importers and/or dealers for the Chinese Flying Pigeon Raleigh roadster clones. Unfortunately prices here are considerably above the $100 you mention.

I have no idea whether the Indian or Chinese made bikes are better mechanically and in quality of finish.

AFAIK know Velo-Orange does not have the Indian Roadster, I suspect you meant Yellow Jersey in Madison, WI

All the Flying Pigeons and Indian built roadsters I have seen have been of dubious quality for the prices involved. Best deal I have seen on the FP has been from Morgan Imports in NC.

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Old 02-24-10, 09:06 PM
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How about this take on the Old English Three Speed.
I redid my wife's Dahon Classic with a bit of an English flair.

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...-English-theme



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Old 02-24-10, 09:29 PM
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The work on that Dahon is just amazing...

Doing my part...


1954 Raleigh Sports 700c road conversion
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Old 02-25-10, 05:04 AM
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Originally Posted by kingfish254
How about this take on the Old English Three Speed.
I redid my wife's Dahon Classic with a bit of an English flair.



Nice job! Reminds me of the Raleigh Compact RSW.

Aaron

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Old 02-25-10, 07:10 AM
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Originally Posted by wahoonc
Nice job! Reminds me of the Raleigh Compact RSW.

Aaron

I like your RSW. Here is her Dahon next to my Raleigh Twenty.

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Old 02-25-10, 07:21 AM
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Sixty Fiver, I like that. What brake levers are they?

You're not much into chainguards, are you? I suddenly saw the wisdom in them, now that I have a Twenty and a Sports (knockoff). I can jump on the bike without tying up my trousers, even when they're fancy wool trousers. I suppose it would be best if you could get a while plastic one to match the fenders, but that would be a rare find.
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Old 02-25-10, 08:26 AM
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Originally Posted by noglider
Sixty Fiver, I like that. What brake levers are they?

You're not much into chainguards, are you? I suddenly saw the wisdom in them, now that I have a Twenty and a Sports (knockoff). I can jump on the bike without tying up my trousers, even when they're fancy wool trousers. I suppose it would be best if you could get a while plastic one to match the fenders, but that would be a rare find.
I like chain guards a great deal and if I could find a full chain case for this bike I'd install it in a heartbeat.

The brake levers are Dia Compes and I have them mated to some NOS Dia Compe G500 brakes... the action is very light and the braking is rather excellent even with the stock pads.



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Old 02-25-10, 09:42 AM
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Originally Posted by Sixty Fiver
I like chain guards a great deal and if I could find a full chain case for this bike I'd install it in a heartbeat.

The brake levers are Dia Compes and I have them mated to some NOS Dia Compe G500 brakes... the action is very light and the braking is rather excellent even with the stock pads.



That is one helluva bell you have.

I wish I could find a chainguard for my Twenty.
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