Looking for a three speed internal
 

Hoping someone could help me out,

I'm looking to purchase a new 3 speed internal hub commuter. I am not looking for a vintage bicycle rather a suped up fixed gear. The closest thing I have found to what I am looking for is the Linus Roadster Sport - http://www.linusbike.com/models/roadster-sport/

I am going to test drive it next week, but at 32lbs it might be a bit too slow/clunky for what I'm looking for. Also I'd prefer drop bars compared to the uprights you see with the Roadster.

Does anyone have any recommendations for me? It seems a 3 Speed internal is mostly with English style bicycles.

Thanks

The Public D3 http://publicbikes.com/p/PUBLIC-D3 is similar to the Linus but might be a little lighter.
On the other hand, either the Felt Brougham or the Traitor Luggernaut http://www.traitorcycles.com/Bikes_Luggernaut3spd.cfm seem like the sort of thing that you might be interested in.

The Luggernaut looks pretty appealing -- but I'm a sucker for lugs. I think it's unfortunate that Felt decided to spec the Brougham with the S3X hub; for an uptick in the cost, you lose the ability to coast. Not a bargain that I, as a commuter, would go in for.

Couple options from bikes direct. First one is a 5 speed.
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...kilott_wt5.htm
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ord_deluxe.htm

not necessarily, many options are do able by changing components.

Some Options, : from Sturmey Archer their S3x, with a screw on freewheel.. ,
is a different set of gear ratios, .63, .75. and 1
than an AW3, .75, 1, and 1.33.. its freewheel mech part of the hub , though both have 3 internal gears ..

a normal as high, and 2 reduction gears, versus normal 1:1 in the middle
and a reduction gear , 1st, and an overdrive gear as 3rd..

what those 3 gears are is determined by wheel size, cog and chainring sizes.
http://sheldonbrown.com/gears/internal.html

What brands are at your local bike shops? is the Linus sold there?
If so, they can change things , that are not included in the original parts.

Know: You cannot test ride any Bikes Direct bikes,
and you have to put them together on your own.

If it was me, I'd probably start with a Masi Speciale Commuter and add an aftermarket RS-RF3. But that's just me.

Breezer uptown 3.

The Linus has a hi-ten steel frame, the lowest grade material possible. It could still be a decent rideable bike , juts a heavy one.

The S3X also accepts BMX freewheels so it'll coast.

If you use the s3x don't use a freewheel, it that's what you want just use an AW or other 3 speed hub.

BUT- A really nice commuter set up would be the s3x hub, particularly if you ride flat or rolling hills on Multi use paths and crowded bike lanes. The control of a fixed gear makes riding in traffic, bicycle or other, much more tolerable and the 3 available gears on the s3x give you a pretty good range.

I've ridden a S3X both fixed and free, and either works great. If fixed is not on the menu, I totally agree that going with a standard sturmey is the way to go. I had to fit 4 different freewheels before finding one that worked properly with the hub - the main issue is chain line. Many freewheels are only threaded for a certain portion of the body, and spacers are necessary to allow proper tightening. However, the chain line is 7-10mm farther outboard than with the fixed cog, which can be a real pain.
I found that the cheapie "Dicta" freewheel would thread all the way with no spacer, and allowed a proper chain line. A compromise at best. The hub worked fine though in either configuration, but truly is optimized for a fixed setup.

The gear range is sufficient for a surprising array of riding. I geared mine for a range of 46 gear inches to 72 or so (if memory serves), which was sufficient for some extended rides. Hell, I even took my S3X equipped bike on a 55 mile road ride over two category 2 mountain passes with 3,700 feet of climbing on grades up to about 12% (4% average) with one short out of saddle stint on an 18% grade. It was fun, if a bit of a challenge.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=219056

My shop actually sells the Linus line and they're real comfy. its got a twist shift and a lot of 3spd internals are gonna be that way, sturmey archers often have their classic shifters. if you want drops on a internal geared bike the shifter is gonna give you a problem. Linus does have a 5spd internal w/ stermey archer and downtube shifters. or you could flip the bars upside down to angle your stance down a bit, as they do for about half of their line. honestly they wouldn't be the worst commuter and the weight doesn't feel like 32 lbs.

Almost 2 years ago, I ordered a brand new Sturmey Archer SRF3 from my LBS and had them build a 26" wheel up around it. As best as I can tell, the gearing on the SRF3 seems comparable to my old Shimano 333 hub. Unlike some of the classic 3 speed hubs, this one has a larger housing that fits over all the connections at the hub (it's that black, horizontal plastic thing in the photo I have attached). It appears as though I could have a barrel adjuster in the end of that housing assembly, but because of the way I ran my cable through the braze-ons I cannot use a barrel adjuster there (maybe when I get a new cable I'll look at doing that). So, if you don't get a barrel adjuster (I didn't have one come with it) it can be a bit finicky to adjust.

But otherwise, I don't have any complaints about this hub. I have somewhere between 2-3000km on it and it has been great thus far. However, if you are looking for something that is fixed (that is to say, something that you cannot coast with), then this probably won't fit the bill as it appears to have a ratcheting type mechanism inside.