Why do you think 3 speeds never caught on in the U.S.A?
In the mid to late eighties I worked in a bicycle shop as a salesman/mechanic (smack in heart of the U.S.A.). We saw all sorts of bicycles come into the shop, mostly bmx bikes, but we had a fair share of road bikes, touring bikes, and on rare occasions, the random tandem and unicycle. What we didn't see a lot of was the 3 speed. Even the "mom and pops" type bicycles were either 5 speeds, or singles. Most of the bicycle repairs tended to be for bicycles from the seventies, except for the bmx stuff, because boys tear up things on a regular basis, and have a way of finding flat producing spots to ride. So, why do think there was such a limited traffic of 3 speeds thru our shop? Were they viewed as old fashion through the seventies? Maybe people just didn't bother having them repaired (I don't recall us carrying any new 3 speeds)? Any insights? (thanks for your responses, in advance)