Sturmey Archer S3C, worth the bother?
11-23-14, 11:41 PM
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Sturmey Archer S3C, worth the bother?
I have S-A S3C coaster brake hub, date code "80" which I presume is 1980. It has been on a bike in the past, and had the symptom that when I braked hard, the brake would jam up real good and stay jammed until I loosened the non drive side fixing nut. Jammed, as in, carry the bike home.
Currently this is not on a bike, but I'm toying with the idea of using it again. Is this model of hub worth bothering with? I know there were some coaster brake hubs that are to be avoided, but don't know if the S3C is on that list. I would completely overhaul it, but wonder if anything is known about troubleshooting the brake issue.
Or is this just another one of my hare brained schemes that I should be talked out of?
Currently this is not on a bike, but I'm toying with the idea of using it again. Is this model of hub worth bothering with? I know there were some coaster brake hubs that are to be avoided, but don't know if the S3C is on that list. I would completely overhaul it, but wonder if anything is known about troubleshooting the brake issue.
Or is this just another one of my hare brained schemes that I should be talked out of?
11-24-14, 07:01 AM
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No problem I am aware of that can't be solved by an overhaul. May be insufficient lube, which can certainly cause brakes to seize.
11-24-14, 08:23 AM
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+1 on overhauling it.
11-24-14, 09:26 AM
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Don't expect the S3C to preform like an AW or a coaster brake hub (sans gearing) for that mater. To fit both the planetary gears and the coaster brake into one shell both are reduced in size/widths compared to only one or the other in the shell. The brake action was always less then a cheap Bendix and the gears had a narrower range of cable tension to get the right adjustment then the very reliable AW.
Having said that many thousands of S3Cs are in service still today all around the world. I'd overhaul the hub and get it back in use. But I would temper my expectations just the same. Andy.
Having said that many thousands of S3Cs are in service still today all around the world. I'd overhaul the hub and get it back in use. But I would temper my expectations just the same. Andy.
11-24-14, 07:01 PM
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Thanks for the tips. I know there's a broken spring in the brake (because I broke it while disassembling) but there is minimal wear, so I'm optimistic.
I've also got an old Bendix ready for n+2. I just noticed that it takes cogs of a slightly larger inside diameter than the Sturmey-Archer, which is a shame.
I've also got an old Bendix ready for n+2. I just noticed that it takes cogs of a slightly larger inside diameter than the Sturmey-Archer, which is a shame.
Last edited by Gresp15C; 11-24-14 at 09:28 PM.
