I built this Trek cruiser as a single speed BMX style cruiser with blue rims . A Single speed rear coaster brake , with v brake front brake .

I have a couple sets of two speed kickback wheel sets that have been sitting around waiting for me to try to get use to the way they shift.

I decided to try out a set on the Trek today . With one set being silver , I thought they would look nice on the silver Trek .

Riding the bike , took a few minutes to get use to shifting , but I figured out if I mainly used my front brake when I needed to brake , the shifting didn’t give me any issues .
With a 30 tooth front chainring and a 19 tooth cog on the rear , I would spin out around 7.5-8 mph in low speed , then when I would shift , i would spin out around 12.5-13 mph in high .
I rode a couple of hills remaining in high gear and had no problem keeping my speed over 10mph .
The rear hub is a KT 2speed kickback .
I’d like to try a Sturmey Archer 2speed coaster brake hub . I’d have to find somebody to build the wheelset for me .
I’ll play around with this one awhile and see if the fascination sticks around.
I was pretty happy with single speed , and have a few sets of coaster brake wheel sets .
I know I need to do something with the front brake cable that sticks out . It should go on the left side , but my left hand is weak with arthritis leaving me with my right hand the strongest .

Nice Trek 800. These are such versatile bikes. I like the idea of the 2 speed kickbacks, but never tried one. The 2-speed kickback is neat in that there are no shift cables and of course, it extends your pedaling range.

There is no rule that the front brake lever needs to go on the left side. That is up to you. And me. I used to set up my bikes with the right lever to the front brake. The rest of the world does it this way. In the United States the convention is the right is for the rear. I don't know the origin of this convention, however, I suspect it is because when adjusting the gears on a bike in a stand it is easy to stop or slow the rear wheel.

Ride it a bunch more and report on how you like it with more miles. There are probably more people interested in your thoughts on this hub. The old Bendix have been popular in the past, but since they haven't been sold in 50, no 60 years, we don't see them as much. They were considered pretty good. Sturmey Archer does indeed make a 2-speed kickback hub.

I've read that there is a big step between the low and high gear. Sort of like the jumps on Sturmey Archer wide ratio 3 speed. I haven't seen any issues with reliability of them. The coaster brakes are the plate style, so the heat path is longer for being able to get rid of the heat of stopping which could be a problem if you had a long downhill. You have the front brake which is ideal and makes this a non-issue. If you end up liking the KT kickback and go for a Sturmey Archer kickback let us know how it compares.

Thanks for posting pics! Great bike!

I got an 800 Antelope a few years ago for cheap from a co-op and I've been trying to figure out what to do with it. I'm thinking in town and trail cruiser with riser bars kind of like what you did. Mine is a little older than yours I think (1989) and has the oval "Biopace" chainrings up front with cantilever brakes front and back...all still working perfectly and well taken care of by whoever was the previous owner These things are really solid!

The Trek 800 series are tough frames . I’m totally enjoying mine .
I’m on the lookout for another.
I’m still enjoying the the 2speed KT hub also . Much more than I thought I would.
Would like to see pics of your antelope when you get time.

Will take some this morning and post. Yours is prettier!

Sorry they're so big...and the upside down shifter! Can't figure out how to resize or flip them.

I had a steel 820 years ago; what a great MTB! IMO, it was one of the best bargains ever in bicycling.

Loving the pics and the setup. I had the SA 2 speed kickback hub years ago, but it didn't work out for me. I had it on my Dahon SS, and it was a coaster brake. The fact it WAS a coaster brake, instead of a freewheel (I think that's correct?), was an issue for me. If I had rim brakes it would have worked perfectly for me. I can't do kickback + coaster brake...

Amazing the stuff I learn here...never heard of a kickback hub till yesterday! Would love to think I'll trip over one at the co-op while I'm looking for riser bars and a couple other bits and parts...very tempted to give it a shot on my 800 if I can find one on the cheap. Been riding forever but started riding and wrenching a lot more once I wasn't doing Boy Scouts, coaching little league and basketball and all of that Dad stuff...

Be Careful . Wrenching can become addictive as much as riding .
Once you get to where you can make almost any bike “ your bike” You’ll be hooked! None of my bikes are ever finished. They just reach another stage.

Better keep an eye on your personal message inbox...Now I know someone who has worked on an 800 and might be able to help me get out of whatever mess I get myself in!