explody pup

Is it possible to use a bar-end shifter with a 3-speed hub? What kind of problems would I be looking at if I tried?

Thanks.

Sheldon Brown

Yes. I ran my Sturmey-Archer ASC this way for quite a while. After a bit of experience, you get used to the correct position for the middle gear. High and low are no problem.

Potentially you could damage the hub if you ride it a lot with the lever misadjusted, but this is not likely to be a problem in practice with a 3 speed.

Sheldon "Epicyclic" Brown

MnHPVA Guy

I haven't done this yet, so take the following with a grain of salt.

Being pretty klutzy I prefer to take any element of skill or finnesse out of the equation. I would position the shifter where I would like it to be when the hub is in direct, 2nd, gear. Then I'd mark the body and shifter, where I could see the marks line up while riding. I would file notches deep enough that I could feel them, and put some black paint in them. Then adjust the indicator with the marks lined up.

I assume you would quickly get a good feel for the needed position, but a quick glance or running a thumbnail along the notches would give confirmation. I have half a drawer full of SunTour BarCons, and most of my bikes have SA hubs so I really should get around to trying this.

I've seen it suggested that since the newer SunRace/SA 3 speeds don't have a neutral between 2nd and 3rd that they are a better candidate for use with BarCons.

Mark Stonich

explody pup

What type of misadjustment? I've never used barcons or 3-speed hubs so I'm going into this somewhat blind.

Thanks for the idea, MnHPVA Guy. I'll probably give something like that a try if/when this project takes off.

San Rensho 

And watch out for neutral between 2nd and 3rd.