Build a 3-Speed?
 

Here's a question that should be useful to a number of readers. I'm considering building a 3-speed bike. It's been 20 years since I last built a bike, but I figure building a bike is a lot like riding a bike in that respect. I built my Lotus Legend, back when Moby Dick was a minnow, & it's still able to hold its own. I figure I could select a nice light frame and build just the bike for me. I read, in this forum & elsewhere, about guys who were given a cherry 1958 Raleigh Superbe by the widow across the street, but I have not been so lucky. I know that at some point I will trip across the right deal and it will be cheaper than building a bike, but still...

So what are my likely pitfalls? If I pick up an old "10-speed" frame will the drop-outs be properly spaced? The frame will lack the braze-ons for the shift cable, but I understand that many/most later 3-speeds had ran the shift cable in a continuous cover. Any problems there?

Sounds like a fun project. The dropout spacing and chainline will be the bigger issues in the whole project. Most likely whatever frame you pick up will need to have it's dropout spacing narrowed if it started out in life as a 10 or 12 speed. An older frame will have narrower spacing already and will require less adjustment. Chainline will be adjusted with a combination of bottom bracket axle length, chainwheel mounting, and sprocket mounting (dish-in or dish-out). It's all do-able and fun to figure out with time, research, patience, and generous helpings of BF advice.

Modern internal gear hubs have shifting systems that carry the casing all the way to the hub and are usually pre-assembled to the shifter. An older S-A can go either with full casing and a chain stay clamp or short casing with a top tube/down tube clamp, 'fulcrum' (casing stop to mount in clamp), and pulley. It's all tried and true and no braze-ons are required.

Older 3 speeds are actually pretty common and you might just come up with one that only needs a little TLC. As usual, make sure whatever you get fits you before you get all involved and invested. Good luck and keep us posted

It will probably be easier to buy an old 3 speed, or at least get part of an old 3 speed and build from there. Modifying later 10 speeds is possible, but not the easiest or cheapest way.

A tenspeed will have a 120mm frame just like a three speed. A twelve speed will need to be respaced.

Make sure you get one with horizontal dropouts. You need them to tension the chain and to properly fit the antirotator washers you will need.

I believe most 3 speed hubs have a 42mm chainline which is the same as the inner front sprocket position of most road doubles.

I would strongly consider buying a new hub. They are not that high.

If you are not building your own wheels, then you will have to build a drop bolt for the brakes to work on a road frame. The brakes won't work well in the rain if you use an old steel 26" wheelset, and the bottom bracket may be lowered enough to make pedal strike a real problem. If you start with a 26" road bike you may have to stick with a smaller, lower quality frame.

some twelve speeds used narrower sprockets and chains and were 120mm.

SA hub on road frame?
 

Will an SA 3 speed hub fit on a 7 speed road frame? I'm assuming there will be a difference in the axle length? Were will the discrepancy lie, with the hub be too big or too small?

Most 3-speed bikes, at least Raleigh roadster clones, are 88mm in the front and 112mm rear.
For a SA AW to fit in a 10 or 12 speed frame, you'll have to source a longer axle and rebuild the hub.
See, complications everywhere.

Or step on the frame and reduce the spacing:innocent:

Aaron:)

I'd do it. PLus, for simplicity's sake, you can get a set of 700c alloy 3 speed rims from Velo Orange!

3 speed? Get an 8 speed IGH. You can get more gearing choices with a modern hub. No need to limit yourself anymore to just three speeds!

These hubs use 1/8" width chains, so you won't be able to reuse the 3/32" chain the derailleur bike came with.

You can get the hub, shifter, cable, and pully from an old department store bike. Those will be the most valuable parts on an otherwise crappy bike.

You can also get old Sturmey Archer hubs on ebay for about $25. Some bike shops, such as Harris Cyclery, sell the other parts you need, that I mention above.

The Sturmey Archer AW hub is an incredibly reliable design, about 100 years old, and refined over the decades.

If you are building wheels, use aluminum rims. You will be glad you did. Rims and tires are where weight count the most.

I agree with buying a cheap 3-speed and making it what you want. That is what I did/am doing. I got the above mentioned Superbe on Ebay for a steal a while back. Now I am looking at replacing the rims, buying a rack and saddle bag, replacing brakes for something a bit more reliable, and buying a new set of tires. I've found just about everything on the list and it looks like it will run me about $250 - $300, price of bike and tools needed included.

Just be patient and a cheap one will come along. If you aren't going to be riding it in the rain/wetness, I would even consider leaving the chrome wheels on. A lot of people hate them, but if you know what they can/cannot do, they are perfectly usable. The wheels are a majority of my cost right now, but the old rims were bent.

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...0+3Sp+Hub.aspx

Can't say as I agree with cannibalizing an old bike to save a few bucks.

Yeah, $63 is an excellent value, since it comes with shifter, cable, and everything.

It all depends upon what you have on hand. I've been hoarding an old AW hub in my parts bin, in case I want to use it. I haven't used it yet, but I might build a wheel from it for my SS/FG bike.

Likewise, if you have no parts on hand at all, you'd be nuts to build a bike from scratch. But I have so many parts, bikes, and frames, I'd be nuts to buy a bike!

Not available...cannibalize away!

I am sure it may be available from other sources, but at what price?

Aaron:)

I'm definitely getting cold feet here. It sounds like it just might be more trouble than it's worth. I think I'll buy one instead.

I started with a bare 10 speed frame.

http://inlinethumb19.webshots.com/44...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb53.webshots.com/31...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb31.webshots.com/18...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb46.webshots.com/17...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb58.webshots.com/31...600x600Q85.jpg
http://inlinethumb55.webshots.com/42...600x600Q85.jpg

Every time I see that thing it makes me wet myself a bit....

Never miss a chance to show that bike, do you dirtdrop?
I'd ride it!

If you get in a hurry, it will cost a lot to build a bike from bought parts. I don't know where you live, but if there are many bikes in your locale, just start looking for orphans, things will find you.

I would love to start from a '69 Raleigh Sprite, originally built for 26" wheels.

The handlebars, pump, fenders, rims, spokes, tires and rear hub are new. The rest of the parts are used. I took the chain off of my PX10. It's a Regina Oro.

:thumb: dirtdrop - that is a beautiful machine!

My latest project is based on a 3-speed Sachs coaster brake hub. I had the hub laced to a dicontinued Mavic anodized 26" rim, then took the wheel down to the local bike salvage to test fit it in some used frames. A Raleigh alloy steel MTB had the right spacing, so I grabbed it for $12. I've since added some mid-width hybrid Schwalbe tires and a Scott aero set of bars. Quite a mixer of parts. Almost to the ride testing phase. It's been 2-3 years since I got the hub, but, what's the rush?
Just the other day found an aluminum rack (used) for $4. With a little sanding and painting, it will be perfect for carrying my pump and bag of goodies.
I'd say build that 3-speeder!!!

OK, after seeing Dirtdrop's bike, I'm thinking about it again.

I've been contemplating the exact same thing for a while now. Whether to build or buy a 3 speed. I originally wanted to find and buy a cheap used one. Easier said than done, haha. I still haven't been able to find any that fit me. I do have one 3 speed but it is too small for me.

I ended up getting a really nice Raleigh Technium 480 for cheap and I'm starting to convert it into a 3 speed. I have an AW hub that came from a cheap dept. store bike that was otherwise crap.

AW hub and shifter - $10
North Road handlebars - $13
Brake levers - $11
Sun Cr18 rims - $50
Spokes/nipples - $28
SA dynohub - $65
Old light converted to led - $20
Raleigh Technium 480 - $65
TOTAL = $262

Obviously my build can't be exactly replicated because others either won't be able to find the same deals as I did on a hub or the bike itself. But somebody could also get a considerably better deal on a number of parts that I spent money on. Also, you may not need/want a dyno hub and could use an existing front wheel. I could see somebody already having north road bars, AW hub, a front wheel, brake levers, and possibly even a frame to start from. If that were the case one could build a three speed very cheaply.

That's the finest 3 speed I've ever seen... http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b9.../notworthy.gifhttp://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b9.../notworthy.gifhttp://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b9.../notworthy.gif

dirtdrop... you're truly an artist. :thumb:

I'm curious about trying to build up a more modern 3 speed, starting with a ten-speed frame. I was at a place today that literally had a garage full of old ten speeds. They are having a sale next Saturday, with the Huffy/Murray/Magna bikes selling for $15, and the higher end stuff selling for $40. They had a few bikes that had potential. I saw a Raleigh Sportif in there, and a few others that may work.

Or maybe I should find a 3 speed without the threading issues of old Raleighs, and update it with alloy rims, cranks, stem, bars, etc...