Strange 3 speed gear hub problem
 

Hello everyone.

My wifey's Dawes Kingpin foldable bike has a weird problem. It has a 3 speed gear hub (no obvious make name on it). The gears become very hard to change when pedaling, but can be changed when cruising. I've tried adjusting the rod that connects the cable to the hub but can't seem to figure out the best setting. Here's a picture of the hub.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3201/...57522a47e8.jpg

I've had a look at the Sheldon Brown site and can't find anything to help... most other posts I've read about elsewhere talk about an indicator chain, which the bike doesn't have.

Anyone got any ideas?

I can't help you with the shifting problems, but I can at least tell you that it looks like you have a Shimano 333 hub. That might help a little.

Unlike derailleur bikes, internal gear hubs shift best with no tension on the chain. Either stop pedaling while shifting or at least ease off on the pressure.

Have you been feeding it oil through the oil port? The first thing I'd try is squirt a couple ccs of oil into the hub and ride it around a bit to spread out the oil. Also check the cable and shift lever: if they cannot move freely shifting will suffer. Lubricate or replace as needed.

Your description does not strike me as indicating an adjustment problem, but having changed the tension it may now be out of adjustment. The bell crank has a round window with a slot in it. Place the hub in 2nd gear and adjust the tension so the "N" in a circle appears in the round window and the line aligns with the slot:

http://www.os2.dhs.org/~john/bell-crank.jpg

Definitely looks likes a 333 hub.
I'd recommend the hints that have already been mentioned.

i use Phil Tenacious Oil in My Sturmey Archer Hub, the sticky-ness is slight.

Wow thanks for the quick and helpful responses! Will give these a go tomorrow...

I haven't thought about internal 3 speed hubs for years, but have this vague remembrance from many years ago that you should shift gears while coasting, not pedaling.

Thanks folks. The "N" is now in the circle and it all seems to be working well now.