immersionroom

Howdy,

I'm restoring a vintage step through for my lady which runs 28 1 3/8 rims. I have an existing chrome set (Araya) which are a bit worse for wear and I'd like to track down a new set to build up.

The frame is circa 1940. I believe the original rims would have been painted. It's very similar to this one:
https://i.ebayimg.com/17/!BcoGT5gBWk~$%28KGrHqUOKj0Eq5HNvwP+BK1RcCZh5w~~_3.JPG

I recently discovered that UK brand Pashley have painted 28 inch rims on their Guv'nor model:
https://www.pashley.co.uk/products/guvnor.html

However I suspect they might be specifically made for them (shot them an email for info).

Does anyone know if they are still available, where I might be able to pick some up (with international shipping, I'm in Melbourne Australia).

Also in trying to figure out what rear coaster hub to run I've narrowed down to the Sachs Duomatic and Bendix 2 Speed (yellow or red band) however haven't found much comparing them. To me the Bendix looks more refined however it's significantly more expensive. Also wondering about performance and maintenance of each assuming I pick up a NOS one.

Any help/advice appreciated.

Thanks

Mos6502

The Duomatic is probably a good choice. The Bendix is better known, but it's also rarer - so combined that makes it worth more. Niether is easy to find drilled for 36 spokes though, since both were primarily used in kids bikes - I would just take the first one I could find that would handle 36 spokes.

Mr IGH

Duomatics are ~2.2lbs, Bendix is ~3.3lbs. There's lots of 36H 2-speed Bendix on ebay, the 3 red stripe is the older version (early 60's), the three yellow stripes is the newest version (last made in the late 60's). They came on many middle weight Schwinns so they aren't hard to find. The three blue stipe version is for 20" wheels, it's overdrive, I've only seen it in 28H. They first made lever operated versions in the 50's, kickback red stripes came out in the 60's. More correct for that time period would be the lever operated version.

There's duomatics for sale on hubstripping: https://hubstripping.wordpress.com/

Here's a good Bendix info source: https://www.trfindley.com/pgbndxhbs.html

edit: never say never, there's a blue stripe 36H NOS Bendix on the 'bay right now, and three (3 hubs) red striped 36H. They're found in two locations: the Collectiable/transportation/bicycles section and the Vintage section of Sports/Bicycles

Here's a few of my Bendix 2 speeds:

tcs

Araya still catalogs their W/O-2 rim in ISO635.

tcs

Mr IGH

If you've got access to a nice Duomatic, perhaps we can arrange a trade. They're very rare here in the US while there's lots of red/yellow hubs to be had.

Grand Bois

I spent a lot of time searching for a 36 hole Duomatic. I never did find one, but I know they exist. The 28 hole version is easy to find. I have no interest in the clunky-looking Bendix.

My first new bike was a Schwinn middleweight with the lever-operated Bendix two speed.

Grand Bois

Did you know that Sturmey Archer is coming out with their own 2 speed kickback coaster brake hub? They showed a prototype at Interbike 2009. I believe it had an aluminum shell. I'm waiting for that one!

immersionroom

The only place I've found new 36 hole Duomatics is on hubstripping
https://hubstripping.wordpress.com/

120 Euros with shipping to Australia works out rather pricey though.

immersionroom

Yeah I did come across that in my research. Promising though I'm trying for a vintage style if it doesn't break the bank.

immersionroom

Is that a 28" rim? Can this catalogue be found online. Tried searching for an Araya website without any luck.

immersionroom

If it helps anyone else searching for a 28" rim. The guys from Pashley put me onto a 28x1 1/2 rim made by Rigida which looks like the one they used on their Guv'nor. Assuming there's not too much difference between 28x1 3/8 vs 28x1 1/2. Can be bought from The Old Bicycle Company
which does ship international but sadly the shipping cost to Australia doubles the price of 2 rims.

sailorbenjamin

I was just looking at the Rigida website. Funny, they offer this rim in EVERY size BUT 27" (630mm).

Mr IGH

I agree, too rich for my blood. I have lots of experience with the Bendix 2 speeds kick-backs, red, yellow and blue. They are very robust and work under all sorts of conditions. With the present exchange rate, the Bendix units are very cheap. If it's a two speed hub you desire, I'd buy a nice red/yellow band version for US$50.

tcs

Here ya go.

tcs

gnome

The 28x1 1/2 is slightly smaller than the 28x1 3/8 size rim. ERTO635 compared to ERTO642. If you are going to be running a front brake will it have enough adjustment to reach the wider shorter rim?

bikemeister

You'd think with the proliferation of the folding bikes and all these new rides with tiny wheels and tall stems there'd be a resurgence of the Bendix kickback. Maybe somebody will bring it back for these specialty bikes (probably be Asian though)

tcs

Posted many places on the web including post #7 in this thread: prototype Sturmey S2C.

tcs

ottothecow

+1 on the where are you finding these piles of sachs duomatic hubs for less than the bendix hubs.

I am in the market for either but the bendix at least show up on ebay (and finish outside of my budget)

Grand Bois

I don't see where anybody made that claim.

ottothecow

from the first two posts:
"To me the Bendix looks more refined however it's significantly more expensive."
"The Duomatic is probably a good choice. The Bendix is better known, but it's also rare"

Obviously not literal piles of hubs but this is way better than the situation I have noticed in the US. I am not sure where the second poster is from but the first poster is in Australia which happens to be where the most recent Sachs to show up on ebay came from.

The closing price on that auction was way higher than the closing price on a serviceable bendix in the states. I have trouble finding ANY sachs duomatics on US ebay...especially any that cost less than a bendix.

immersionroom

Thanks for the heads up. The frame isn't drilled for a front rim brake, instead I was going to run a drum brake - most likely a Sturmey Archer X-FD - so I can avoid this problem if I can't get my hands on 28x1 3/8 rims and have to choose the 28x1 1/2 size instead.

immersionroom

Many thanks tcs

immersionroom

Thanks for the advise. There's one which appears to be in great condition and professionally serviced on ebay. How much do you think this is worth? Am I better off holding out for a yellow band or is the difference between the red/yellow much of a muchness? Thanks

gnome

If you find a source for the 28x1 3/8 (ERTO642) rims, could you let me know. I have a c1930s racing bike with the odd size 28" rims and could use some nice new ones. I've got ones that are serviceable but need replating/painting.

Grand Bois

Somebody has been selling Duomatics on eBay for $99.95. They're 28 spoke hubs, though and I want 36. I don't expect to find them any cheaper, and I expect the price to go up. They're beginning to catch on with fixed gear riders who've discovered that a two speed kickback hub gives you another gear and a brake while still preserving the clean minimalist look of a fixed gear bike.