Bingo. 'Cept I'm always killing time, not just this morning.

Actually, I've always wanted a pocket sundial, not a pencil compass. Although I'd need a compass to use a sundial...

I think a pocket sundial/sundial watch would be just about the coolest thing ever.

Obviously with that fork crown you were thinking Raleigh all the way.... where are the rod brakes!!

PUCH 3-speed with new S-A hub and bottom-bracket/cranks. Chain has been tended to since this photo. Rides beautifully.

I had a Raleigh Ltd.-3 and it was heavy and slow. I put alloy wheels on it with high pressure tires and that helped a bit but it still felt "dead".

I like my Sprite a lot better with its 27" wheels.

I've ridden the Simple City and the Milano and they are very nice riders.

I agree with the people that have said keep waiting for the right CL find to come along.

That said, in addition to all the nice bikes others have posted, there is some talk of BikesDirect releasing a 3 or 8 speed IGH bike based on their Kilo WT. Not super retro or anything, but it should come in around $450 when/if it ever does come in. Supposedly they're also releasing the same bike but with a three speed fixed hub whenever Sturmey-Archer gets their act together for that.
May or may not be what you're looking for, but those BD Kilos are pretty highly regarded in the SSFG forum, so the geared version might be worth looking at.

Taking care of the chain is good...

What about that cable? :/

even though they weigh a TON, a Schwinn Varsity/Continental has the right geometry to make a great 3 speed.


could probably stand to take 6" off both the rear brake line and the shifter line...and add another zip tie along the top tube at the rear cluster.

My Schwinn Super Sports has 700C wheels, a B-66 saddle and a Shimano Alfine 8 speed hub. 3 speeds are all but obsolete today.

Obsolete? This is the Classic and Vintage Forum.

A quality, modern 3 or 4 speed type bicycle will be no match in terms of value compared to a vintage Raleigh 3 speed. You can still get old Raleighs for cheaper than the new stuff, especially considering they're pretty good bikes.

3 speeds Obsolete? HOOT!
3 speeds are way too modern and unnecessary. I remove them for a coaster brake wheel, but it is really flat here.
If you look at it in context, it's the hipster-fixies who are really old-timey.

I meant three speed hubs. 8 speed hubs are fairly common place today.

Make that 8 speeds. I changed over a Pashley Guvnor into a high end roadster outfitted with an enclosed chaincase, Brooks B-73 saddle, fenders, Fairytale reflector and front and rear racks.

Oh yeah - I tightened all that up and all is smooth and well entrenched.

My point is, as these 3-speed hubs last forever, there's really no reason to not getting and older 3-speed - often at very low prices - and doing a bit of work on them. They spring right back to life.

BikesDirect does a lot of market research with the SS/FG forum. If people are interested in a modern 3-speed with the retro look, they should e-mail BD. The retro look seems to be popular with a lot of the big bike companies as evidenced by all the modern 3-speeds posted here so BikesDirect may well be interested in developing their own.

1975 Schwinn Speedster 3-speed bought new. Used 10 years for commuting 3 miles to work in a suit and leather dress shoes. Weighs 46 lbs, but once you get it going, it just rolls like a dream. Rebuilt wheels with drum brake hubs. Still use it today to run errands around town.

The 3 speed and coaster brake were virtually simultaneous developments. Freewheel with coaster brake in the 1899 to 1901 period and the Sturmey Archer 3 speed announced in 1902. The first popular freewheel was the Fitchel & Sachs of 1898 I have read.

I am not fond of the bent top tube on the Trek Belleville or the unicrown fork but the geometry may be close to the old Raleigh 3 speeds. 69 degree head angle, 71 degree seat angle and 81mm of trail. It includes a dyno front hub too though in the photo it is not hooked up to anything. Even the brakes look like they may be long mounting bolt versions with external nuts based on the Trek web site photo. Chrome moly frame with a Hi Ten steel fork. Front and rear racks included too.

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...gn/belleville/

Done:

Victory! That photo is a by the doodle pic... Kudos.

I'm going to hunt the craigslist, but so far it's been fruitless. Keep the eyes peeled!

Does anybody have the actual geometry/dimensions of a Raleigh Sport and a Raleigh Tourist? That might help. To my eye most of the new bikes still don't quite get it. The most obvious is the rake on the front end.

I am headed home and if I get the chance I will measure up my Superbe and see what comes up.

Aaron

The Dahon Curve D3 probably qualifies as a modern 3-speed?

Your fork is bent.


Ha!

Good luck in your quest, Mr. Banjo.

I haven't been into bikes that long, but I've fallen in love with 3 speeds. I keep looking at all these new iterations of the 3 speed, but there's only a couple of them that get it right in my opinion, and the ones that do cost over a grand. That's way too rich for my blood.

I got a good deal on an old 3 speed from CL, but it's a little small for me and I don't even know for sure who made it. So I'm still on a hunt for my perfect 3 speed just like you. I might have a chance to find one this weekend though. So if I find one you will see a post with lots of !!!!!! and lots of pictures. Good luck and I hope I see a similar post from you in the near future.

Its a vintage doodle, patina comes into effect somewhere, and the bent fork represents all the dings and scratches I didn't draw...