Do you realise that if you were to add a S/A three speed hub to one of the single speed bikes from bikesdirect.com, you'd have a brand new club racer not too unlike the Ralieghs from the 50s!
I'm thinking of buying one and doing so. Any thoughts?

I think you could build a much better bike by using a quality vintage frame and components.

hands down one of my favorite bikes on this board.

I agree, that is a beautiful bike. But, I really liked the "Motobecane that thinks it's a Rene Herse", that's my favorite bike on the site. Maybe someone can find the photo again.

Most of the older SA hubs are 110-ish mm OLN, where the modern bike is likely 130mm. There's not enough axle to respace, so you'd have to work on cold-setting the frame narrower. Also, need to find the proper anti-torque washers as the drops are sized for 10mm axles, SA is closer to 8mm across the flats.

Need the 9.5mm washers, the newer style with the single tab are available, but the older machined style work better.

FWIW that bike of Dirtdrops is definitely a class act. I have a Club Racer build that is on going, going to use an FG hub on a Dawes Galaxy frame from the mid 70's that just happens to be my size.

Aaron