2 speed hubs, kickback?
05-25-23, 09:30 PM
#1
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2 speed hubs, kickback?
hi folks. reading thru lots of posts on various topics i' keep seeing mentions of something called a two speed kickback?. so. just wondering what this is.? a hub? and how does it work? how would this translate in gear inches or however one measures resistance, and lastly. can one be put on a folding bike. thanks for any help. lots of interesting topics on here, lots of knowledgable folks too.
05-25-23, 09:51 PM
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I recall a couple kickback versions one with a yellow stripe and another in blue.
Different gear ratios and a nice idea for a coaster brake cruiser.
Nowadays, Shimano's Nexus 8-speed hub runs circles around the old kickbacks.
Different gear ratios and a nice idea for a coaster brake cruiser.
Nowadays, Shimano's Nexus 8-speed hub runs circles around the old kickbacks.
05-25-23, 11:37 PM
#3
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https://www.sturmey-archer.com/en/products/2-speed
All the ones listed in the link are coaster brake.
I have one that is rim brake. No coaster guts. No reaction arm. Not sure what other difference there may be. They come set up for 120mm over locknut dimension. But, with a proper 13/32 nut on each side of the axle can be made to fit a 130mm width drop outs.
You'd probably want to run a 36-ish tooth chainring & cruise in the "overdrive." Then kickback to direct drive for hills.
They work ok. Mine leaks oil. It's not really a big deal.
All the ones listed in the link are coaster brake.
I have one that is rim brake. No coaster guts. No reaction arm. Not sure what other difference there may be. They come set up for 120mm over locknut dimension. But, with a proper 13/32 nut on each side of the axle can be made to fit a 130mm width drop outs.
You'd probably want to run a 36-ish tooth chainring & cruise in the "overdrive." Then kickback to direct drive for hills.
They work ok. Mine leaks oil. It's not really a big deal.
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05-26-23, 05:36 AM
#4
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The 2 speed kickback is a development of the 2 speed manual hub designed and build by Bendix.
The manual version used a knuckle and lever(similar to Shimano 3 speed set up) to change the gear ratio.
The automatic(kickback) version allowed the change of gear ratio by simply backpedaling slightly, not enough to engage the coaster brake , and
then continuing to pedal as normal.
The secret of the system is a spring- a thin, flat steel one with tiny tines bent at the ends, which allow the hub to engage in both gears.
Simple in theory, but a bit tricky to overhaul. The spring has to be oriented correctly, and the grease used to lubricate the hub seeds to work
where needed, but not impinge on the action of the spring.
The hub came in three ratios- red band, blue band and yellow band.
Middleweights and Stingrays came stock with the automatics for a time.
Balloon models primarily came with the lever activated version.
AB-26 is the "magic spring"
rusty
The manual version used a knuckle and lever(similar to Shimano 3 speed set up) to change the gear ratio.
The automatic(kickback) version allowed the change of gear ratio by simply backpedaling slightly, not enough to engage the coaster brake , and
then continuing to pedal as normal.
The secret of the system is a spring- a thin, flat steel one with tiny tines bent at the ends, which allow the hub to engage in both gears.
Simple in theory, but a bit tricky to overhaul. The spring has to be oriented correctly, and the grease used to lubricate the hub seeds to work
where needed, but not impinge on the action of the spring.
The hub came in three ratios- red band, blue band and yellow band.
Middleweights and Stingrays came stock with the automatics for a time.
Balloon models primarily came with the lever activated version.
AB-26 is the "magic spring"
rusty
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05-26-23, 05:53 AM
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05-26-23, 06:36 AM
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And the gals flip for a Bendix "Automatic!"
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05-26-23, 06:43 AM
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Merry Sales has returned the Bendix 2-speed kickback to production as the Eagle.
Yep. And has been.
Lastly, can one be put on a folding bike?
Yep. And has been.
05-26-23, 06:48 AM
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In addition to the 'kickback shift', there's also automatic shift two speed hubs.
Fichtel&Sachs was famous for theirs, and this went on to be manufactured under the SRAM banner until 2017. Sturmey-Archer (since 1902) makes their A2 hub in freewheel and coaster versions in both a lower rpm shift version (26" & 700C wheels) and a higher rpm shift version (16" & 20" wheels) with various spoke hole counts*.
*I've yet to see an internet retailer make clear which version they're offering!!!
Fichtel&Sachs was famous for theirs, and this went on to be manufactured under the SRAM banner until 2017. Sturmey-Archer (since 1902) makes their A2 hub in freewheel and coaster versions in both a lower rpm shift version (26" & 700C wheels) and a higher rpm shift version (16" & 20" wheels) with various spoke hole counts*.
*I've yet to see an internet retailer make clear which version they're offering!!!
Last edited by tcs; 05-27-23 at 06:37 AM.
05-26-23, 09:41 AM
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Say what you will in support of the multitude of IGH hubs, the 2 speed kick back is the simplest of them all.
Simple = reliable
Simple = reliable
05-27-23, 03:37 AM
#11
Junior Member
Growing up, a friend rode a bike with the triple red band bendix 2 speed, neither of us actually mastered the skill necessary to consistently shift it.
05-28-23, 08:06 AM
#12
Senior Member
I love the
"Apply brake safely, with your foot.....The American Way"
Well, it was 1955.
"Apply brake safely, with your foot.....The American Way"
Well, it was 1955.
