Originally Posted by rudypyatt

Interestingly, the Sturmey-Archer S3X does set top gear as direct drive. I've read elsewhere on the board that it uses the bottom three ratios of the SR5(W) five-speed hub. According to Sheldon Brown's Gear Calculator, it steps .63/.75/1.0, or (rounding) 43/52/69 gear inches with a 46/18 ring and cog and 700x32 tire and 170mm crank arms.

Although the S3X is a a fixed gear hub, it does take a thread on freewheel. From what I've read, it's hit and miss on getting a freewheel cog that will thread on properly. ACS and Dicta are two brands that have at least some models that work. Because of it's range, a factory freewheel version of the S3X would be an interesting OEM option, but I can't see it happening because the good ol' AW and the Shimano Nexus pretty much define the term "three-speed". As it is, the only two bikes I know of that came standard with the S3X hub were the Felt Broughm and the Mercier Kilo S3X, neither of which is currently available.