Who rides a two speed kickback?
12-21-19, 03:48 PM
#27
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,382
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
Mentioned: 196 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4483 Post(s)
Liked 2,634 Times
in
1,705 Posts
A SRAM Automatix has been on my mind for a bike project for awhile, but figured it'd be best with a lightweight bike to save strain on my knees for climbs.
Now it occurs to me I have a superlight Diamondback Podium carbon fiber frame waiting to be built up.
Hmm...
Carbon fiber racing bike frame.
SRAM Automatix hub.
Bullhorn bars.
This Frankenbike makes perfect sense.
Now it occurs to me I have a superlight Diamondback Podium carbon fiber frame waiting to be built up.
Hmm...
Carbon fiber racing bike frame.
SRAM Automatix hub.
Bullhorn bars.
This Frankenbike makes perfect sense.
Likes For canklecat:
12-21-19, 04:59 PM
#28
Bike Butcher of Portland
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 11,059
Bikes: It's complicated.
Mentioned: 1229 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4336 Post(s)
Liked 4,438 Times
in
1,882 Posts
I don't always ride a two speed kickback, but when I do, it's this one.
1970 chrome Raleigh Grand Sport
1970 chrome Raleigh Grand Sport
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
Likes For gugie:
12-21-19, 05:30 PM
#30
Bike Butcher of Portland
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 11,059
Bikes: It's complicated.
Mentioned: 1229 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4336 Post(s)
Liked 4,438 Times
in
1,882 Posts
Originally Posted by BFisher
@gugie, Love it! Sturmey-Archer?
more pix
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
12-21-19, 07:11 PM
#31
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,329
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 764 Post(s)
Liked 1,872 Times
in
882 Posts
Originally Posted by gugie
Yep. The chrome Grand Sport is kinda rare, and I didn't want to clamp anything to the frame. 2-speed kickback was the way to go.
more pix
more pix
12-23-19, 01:05 PM
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Cambridge UK
Posts: 775
Bikes: 1903 24 spd Sunbeam, 1927 Humber, 3 1930 Raleighs, 2 1940s Sunbeams, 2 1940s Raleighs, Rudge, 1950s Robin Hood, 1958 Claud Butler, 2 1973 Colnago Supers, Eddie Merckx, 2 1980 Holdsworth, EG Bates funny TT bike, another 6 or so 1990s bikes
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 308 Post(s)
Liked 279 Times
in
151 Posts
Good to Go
This is my two speed. 1903 epicyclic two speed Sunbeam. 25% difference between 1st to 2nd. A 90 year old woman rode it for 80 years.
Likes For Johno59:
11-13-20, 11:10 AM
#33
Senior Member
Resurrecting this thread in case there's interest. I have been riding a newer, Sturmey kickback hub for 6 months or so. I like it, but don't love it. It's too easy to accidentally end up in the unintended gear just by coasting or not backpedaling enough. It's especially obnoxious to accidentally upshift mid-hill. I still like it, though, when it works as intended. I decided I wanted to build up a 29/700c, 36-spoke wheel with the same hub, but I can only find the 32 spoke version I already have.
But.
My searches pulled up a thing I didn't know existed, and I'm still not sure it does: A Sturmey Archer 2-Speed Automatic hub. Not a kickback, but a centrifugal force-activated shift like the old Sram/Sachs. It appears to be a new item, mentioned in passing on some bike shop's Facebook page and showing up in the inventory of just a couple of European shops, and one or two ebay sellers. Model number A2KAM-BOXSILVER36H for a 135old, disc brake model. There's also a rim brake model, I think. Searching A2K might pull up both options. Does not appear on Sturmey's website. Does not appear in the most recent catalogue they have posted, which is 2018, I think.
I rolled the dice on an ebay purchase, and we'll see what happens. Feels like a risk, but it's exactly what I want, and they seem to be in short supply. Hopefully it's something new that just hasn't made it to market in large quantities yet. I love the simplicity of the 2 speed, cable-free hub, but being unable to reliably get into and remain in low gear at low speeds is my one issue with the kickback hub. If the automatic works as advertised, it should address that problem.
Happy hunting.
But.
My searches pulled up a thing I didn't know existed, and I'm still not sure it does: A Sturmey Archer 2-Speed Automatic hub. Not a kickback, but a centrifugal force-activated shift like the old Sram/Sachs. It appears to be a new item, mentioned in passing on some bike shop's Facebook page and showing up in the inventory of just a couple of European shops, and one or two ebay sellers. Model number A2KAM-BOXSILVER36H for a 135old, disc brake model. There's also a rim brake model, I think. Searching A2K might pull up both options. Does not appear on Sturmey's website. Does not appear in the most recent catalogue they have posted, which is 2018, I think.
I rolled the dice on an ebay purchase, and we'll see what happens. Feels like a risk, but it's exactly what I want, and they seem to be in short supply. Hopefully it's something new that just hasn't made it to market in large quantities yet. I love the simplicity of the 2 speed, cable-free hub, but being unable to reliably get into and remain in low gear at low speeds is my one issue with the kickback hub. If the automatic works as advertised, it should address that problem.
Happy hunting.
Likes For Rob_E:
11-13-20, 11:45 AM
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,385
Mentioned: 441 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3372 Post(s)
Liked 5,075 Times
in
2,104 Posts
I have a SRAM 2-speed auto shift “automatix” hub w/ rim brakes on one bike. It’s a lot of fun.
11-13-20, 12:11 PM
#35
Senior Member
I had a Sturmey kick-back wheel I tried a couple of times and really liked. My son needed a campus commuter so I put it in that bike, hoping I'd get it back at some point. Of course it quickly got stolen instead. He's 2/2 on getting bikes stolen in Wash DC, 1 when a student, the other after graduation and moving into a nice new house near a sketchy part of town.
I really like the idea of putting one in a brakeless track frame, and coaster brakes just make me feel like a kid again.
I really like the idea of putting one in a brakeless track frame, and coaster brakes just make me feel like a kid again.
__________________
Fuggedaboutit!
Fuggedaboutit!
Likes For pcb:
11-13-20, 12:53 PM
#36
Old fart
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 24,208
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Mentioned: 148 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3246 Post(s)
Liked 2,649 Times
in
1,540 Posts
Everybody knows the cute gals go for the boy with a Bendix 2-speed:
11-13-20, 01:01 PM
#37
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: St Cloud Fl.
Posts: 1,924
Bikes: Only my riders left...
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 337 Post(s)
Liked 712 Times
in
364 Posts
I had a matching pair of black Schwinns, one Racer and a girl’s Breeze, they were built one week apart, the girl’s bike had special order black paint, they were great on camp ground roads, no gears for the wife to worry about...perfect gear every time!
Likes For billnuke1:
11-13-20, 02:11 PM
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Menomonee Falls, WI
Posts: 1,715
Bikes: 1984 Schwinn Supersport, 1988 Trek 400T, 1977 Trek TX900, 1982 Bianchi Champione del Mondo, 1978 Raleigh Supercourse, 1986 Trek 400 Elance, 1991 Waterford PDG OS Paramount, 1971 Schwinn Sports Tourer, 1985 Trek 670
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 567 Post(s)
Liked 874 Times
in
459 Posts
I do! Put one together earlier this summer, using a ratty 71 Schwinn Sports Tourer frame. Credit to Yellow Jersey, in Arlington WI, they did the framework, paint, and built up the wheels. It’s my last minute go riding, bomb around the neighborhood, no special cycle gear required, bike. Took about 2 minutes to get used to the kick back shifting, and coaster brake. Makes you feel like a kid again, I love it!
Tim
Starting point, had all brazeons removed prior to paint
Sturmey Archer 2 speed kick back hub
Velocity No BS rims
Had 1 brazeon added for coaster brake arm
Sugino 175mm crank
Tim
Starting point, had all brazeons removed prior to paint
Sturmey Archer 2 speed kick back hub
Velocity No BS rims
Had 1 brazeon added for coaster brake arm
Sugino 175mm crank
Last edited by tkamd73; 11-13-20 at 02:41 PM.
Likes For tkamd73:
11-13-20, 02:24 PM
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Dayton, Ohio
Posts: 1,387
Bikes: Trek 720, Trek 620, Trek 520, Steel Schwinns, AD Puch, Kona, Nishiki Pro, All City Disc Spacehorse, Waterford
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 144 Post(s)
Liked 84 Times
in
48 Posts
I Do!!!!
And absolutely love it!
Lotus Eclair converted to a 2-speed kickback gravel bike.
Lotus Eclair converted to a 2-speed kickback gravel bike.
11-13-20, 03:06 PM
#40
Senior Member
Originally Posted by nlerner
I have a SRAM 2-speed auto shift “automatix” hub w/ rim brakes on one bike. It’s a lot of fun.
11-13-20, 03:40 PM
#41
Full Member
I have one on my Peugeot Path Racer, but the kickback, not the auto shift. Newer Sturmey-Archer. Works great!
aceves
aceves
Last edited by aceves; 11-13-20 at 03:44 PM.
11-16-20, 09:07 PM
#42
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Ashland, VA
Posts: 4,419
Bikes: The keepers: 1958 Raleigh Lenton Grand Prix, 1968 Ranger, 1969 Magneet Sprint, 1971 Gitane Tour de France, 1973 Raleigh Tourist, 3 - 1986 Rossins, and a '77 PX-10 frame in process.
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 220 Post(s)
Liked 233 Times
in
127 Posts
Built a 20" wheel with a kickback hub back in the winter of 14/15 for the wife's Eastern European off-brand folder (built in Yugoslavia, I think) that she rode in St. Augustine, FL when we were on our honeymoon. Figured she needed the help, as I was riding my Raleigh Twenty at the time. She enjoyed it, but never really rode it again after we returned, so I sold it about two years ago.
__________________
Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
11-16-20, 09:20 PM
#43
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 3,419
Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Volae Team, Focus Mares AL, Nimbus MUni, Trek Roscoe 6, Detroit Bikes Sparrow FG
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 705 Post(s)
Liked 1,604 Times
in
823 Posts
I had a decrepit looking Typhoon for a while, before moving west.
This thread makes me want to build up a commuter around a two speed kickback hub. My commute is downhill in the morning, up in the evening, so that would be perfect.
When I was a kid in the 60's, we would pretend we had two speed kickbacks. We'd accelerate, do a quick skid, then slow pedal. Doubt we fooled anyone. Good times
This thread makes me want to build up a commuter around a two speed kickback hub. My commute is downhill in the morning, up in the evening, so that would be perfect.
When I was a kid in the 60's, we would pretend we had two speed kickbacks. We'd accelerate, do a quick skid, then slow pedal. Doubt we fooled anyone. Good times
11-17-20, 05:45 AM
#44
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 2,286
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 866 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 942 Times
in
576 Posts
Originally Posted by downtube42
I had a decrepit looking Typhoon for a while, before moving west.
This thread makes me want to build up a commuter around a two speed kickback hub. My commute is downhill in the morning, up in the evening, so that would be perfect.
This thread makes me want to build up a commuter around a two speed kickback hub. My commute is downhill in the morning, up in the evening, so that would be perfect.
11-17-20, 08:57 AM
#45
smelling the roses
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Tixkokob, Yucatán, México
Posts: 15,428
Bikes: 79 Trek 930, 80 Trek 414, 84 Schwinn Letour Luxe (coupled), 92 Schwinn Paramount PDG 5
Mentioned: 104 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7080 Post(s)
Liked 898 Times
in
610 Posts
I rode a Bendix two speed kickback on my first and only mtb race, in 1981. A loaner from my mtb building friend.
I also drove a three speed kickback '56 Ford pickup around that same time.
I also drove a three speed kickback '56 Ford pickup around that same time.
Last edited by seedsbelize; 11-17-20 at 09:00 AM.
11-17-20, 07:30 PM
#46
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 3,419
Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Volae Team, Focus Mares AL, Nimbus MUni, Trek Roscoe 6, Detroit Bikes Sparrow FG
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 705 Post(s)
Liked 1,604 Times
in
823 Posts
Originally Posted by oneclick
Like this?
11-18-20, 09:21 AM
#47
Senior Member
It could be a while before it gets built into a wheel, and I can't really test the functionality until then, but the Sturmey Archer 2 speed automatic seems to be a thing that exists.
11-18-20, 09:35 AM
#48
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Fredericksburg, Va
Posts: 9,129
Bikes: '73 Bottecchia Giro d'Italia, '83 Colnago Superissimo, '84 Trek 610, '84 Trek 760, '88 Pinarello Veneto, '88 De Rosa Pro, '89 Pinarello Montello, '94 Burley Duet, 97 Specialized RockHopper, 2010 Langster, Tern Link D8
Mentioned: 67 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1437 Post(s)
Liked 1,777 Times
in
899 Posts
When I lived at home back in the late 60's in Frankfurt, Germany, I rode this.
P6191882 on Flickr
I think it may still be in the family, need to find out.
P6191882 on FlickrI think it may still be in the family, need to find out.
__________________
Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
Bikes don't stand alone. They are two tired.
