I am going to be converting my Puch into a 3-speed but i need to get a hub first before i build the wheel around it. I checked on craigslist and there is this guy selling two 3-speed Raleigh Sports for $30 for both. They are really rusty and old i am not sure if i should go for them. I also went to an LBS and asked for 3 speed hubs and they had 3 just lying around. They were all SA-AW but of different years. They had a 1953, 1956, and 1972. I am not sure of their internal condition or gearing ratios. Anybody know what the gearing ratios could be? They guy said he would sell them to me for $5 or $10 each.

Here are pics of the raleighs:

My advice is to work the words Sheldon Brown into your post. That way maybe he'll respond and give you a definitive answer. I'm thinking that he knows as much about internal hubs as anybody.

Or just go to his site and do the research yourself. You will learn far more than you ever thought possible.

https://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~ha...samaintind.htm

Hubs from the '50s are made of better metal than from the '70s. Parts all interchange.

50's hubs are beautiful but I haven't had any issues with later model hubs as they too are of good quality.

The AW stands for wide range and the middle position is a direct drive determined ny the chainring and cog while first is 75% of that gearing and the third is 133%.

I guess i will go buy the 1953 or 1956 SA-AW hub and use that for my conversion. Should i buy the two raleighs anyway since it is $30 for both and maybe strip them for parts or does it look too damaged and rusted to be even worth driving out to pick them up and buy them?

Two other things to consider if you’re buying one of the hubs from the shop:

1) How many spoke holes do they have? While it seems as thought the majority of 3 speeds sold in the U.S. came with 36 spoke wheels, 40 spoke S-A hubs do turn up here. The other possibility from the mid-60’s on is 28 spokes which were used on Sting-Rays. If they are AW’s they all have the same gearing but this could be a factor in finding a rim. You didn’t say what you’re planning to use for a rim, but you’ll find the choices for 40 hole rims to be more limited.

2) Do either of the ‘50’s hubs have an Alloy shell? If so, the word Alloy will be stamped on it. The 4oz weight reduction isn’t a big performance factor on a 2 + pound hub, but there does seem to be a segment of vintage bike fans that keep an eye out for these and therefore they have more value than hubs with the standard steel shell. Many of the Alloy shell hubs that I’ve seen (including 2 that I own) were dated 1953.

Good luck with your project.

Regards,
Alan

The new ones are very nice. They have an alloy shell with thicker flanges and no neutral between 2nd and 3rd gear. Aebike sells them for $53.