ShowGal

I'm looking for a cheap bike to use to start commuting to the office, so I don't have to worry about my current bike getting stolen. I found a Columbia Sports 3 for sale that I like the looks and price of, but based on my research, it's looking like this is the type of hub that has issues? Can anyone confirm?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ivymae/...n/photostream/

FastJake

When I had a Shimano 3-speed hub I did some reading and they are known for failures, but I never had any issues with mine. I think the failures mostly happen with heavier and more powerful riders.

Unless your commute is very short and you can pick up this bike very cheap I would hold out for something better. If you only have to go a mile or two each way it would probably be acceptable.

0.2HP

Well, if your research has not found this yet, you might want to look at:

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/shimano333.html

Scroll to to the section entitled "The Shimano "333" 3-speed Internal Gear Hub and its successors"

There is even a story about a Columbia 3-speed.

Basicly if you put a lot of load through an old Shimano 3 speed hub you may break the weaker internal parts. If you keep the load below the capicity of the internal parts (if you don't have a heavy load on the bike, don't acelerate quickly, don't go up steep hills) they should last a long time.

Hope this helps.

ShowGal

Yes, cheap is important because I don't want to stress if it does disappear, but reliability is important too; although, I do have a gearhead husband, so I'm sure he could probably fix most things for me. I really don't want to spend more than $50 ($100 max), which is what they're asking for the Columbia. It's in decent shape (working parts, but some rust and wear), but not as nice as the one from photo above, though I think it could be without much effort. I was thinking it's probably worth a little less than $50 though.

Work is 2 miles away, it's a flat commute, and I'm not a big girl, so it sounds like the hub shouldn't be a concern. I really have no idea what I should be looking for though in a commuter bike, outside of knowing I want something that has fenders and not many gears. Is it really better to go with an older bike than a cheap Schwinn at that price point? What should I be on the hunt for?

PatTheSlat 

A cheap new Schwinn? Yes, the Columbia or anything else will serve you better.

Look for something with a Sturmey Archer 3 speed. Or maybe an old 5 speed Schwinn Collegiate, Suburban, or 10 speed World Traveller.

I actually did use a Sports 3 to get around campus for a year, but mine had a Sturmey 3 speed rather than Shimano. It actually rode pretty decently for such a crappy bike. Even though it was old, cheap, and ugly, there were many attempts to steal it.

If you give us your general location, we can help you find something on your local craigslist.

FastJake

I'm pretty cheap, and there's no way I'd pay $50 for that bike. If you look you should be able to find something better even at that price.

CBasta

If I had known that was for sale, I would have bought in a heartbeat. I have the men's version of that same bike. I purchased it new in 1978. I still ride it almost every warm day, for 43 years! I just lubricate the gears and everything else religiously. The only problem I have now, is the chrome flaking off the rear fender.

oldlugs

I had an earlier men's version of that bike for many years, I got it in the mid 70's. It had one of the earlier Shimano hubs, The bike held up just fine, it survived my teen years, and then as a commuter for many more.
They're not a high end bike but they're not bad and were shop grade bikes.
I've seen a few Shimano hubs with broken pawls inside but not very many.
Keep in mind that the only bikes that a mechanic generally sees are those which have broken, not those that are working just fine.

If it were me, and the bike rides fine, shifts fine, and suits your needs, then I don't see the problem.
One way to look at it is that your dealing with a bike that's 40+ years old, if its lasted this long without a problem, with normal care it should last for years to come.

CBasta

-I agree