I really like my beach bike because of the more upright riding position - easier on the back - and because of the upright and wide handle bars. I am going to install a 3 speed hub gear on it. Is there any way to install a front derailler so that I can double the number of ratios?

FWIW, SRAM makes an internal gearing rear hub that can also hold a freewheel. I doubt it would work though. Buy a hybrid with an adjustable stem. Cruisers aren't really meant for more than 3 speeds.

Interesting idea, but where you're going to have problems is getting something like a rear der or a chain tensioner on there -- it doesn't have a rear der hanger to mount it to. I'm surprised you can even do a 3 speed, what are you using for a cable stop? I guess you could bolt something on the chainstay or some such.

I'd stick with just a regular 3 speed, you actually get a pretty good range out of them. You can swap out the cog to change the overall ratio.

New Sturmey Archer hubs are supplied with an axle mounted bracket with cable stop. If you want more range, why not go with a 5 speed S/A and forget about a front derailleur. I'm using one of these on my commuter and it's working great. The 171.2mm axle length version has an OLD of 113mm so it would likely fit the dropouts of the cruiser.
Dan Burkhart
www.boomerbicycle.ca

Thanks! I have heard good things about the gear ratios of hub gears. I don't know if my thinking is correct but here is my logic: I foresee two situations. The first is I am riding with no electric assist, pedaling the bike from 0 to a speed of 15-20 mph. The second is I am riding with the motor at full or partial speed, going as fast as 20 mph by motor and will want to pedal to make it go faster, maybe 25 or 30 mph - wishful thinking, huh . I am guessing that my gearing needs will be substantially different in both situations and am thinking that I will need the front derailler to help give me the spread of gears that I need. If the high gear is not high enough then after the motor reaches speeds of, say, 16 or 17 mph pedaling will not accomplish anything. If 1st gear is not low enough then it will be very difficult to get a bike, motor, battery and rider with combined weight of 260 pounds or more going without putting a lot of stress on the body. If the spread is not even enough I will loose momentum or tire easily.

With all your sail area on a cruiser, getting to 25-30 will be tough . If you want those speeds, I think you need a different bike, bigger motor or a moped, lol.

What is an adjustable stem?