Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

Looking for a three speed internal

Search
Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

Looking for a three speed internal

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-14-11 | 12:59 PM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
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 - https://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
AndrewPH is offline  
Reply
Old 08-14-11 | 03:30 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 132
Likes: 2
The Public D3 https://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 https://www.traitorcycles.com/Bikes_Luggernaut3spd.cfm seem like the sort of thing that you might be interested in.
qualla is offline  
Reply
Old 08-14-11 | 06:49 PM
  #3  
ortcutt's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: Cambridge MA
Originally Posted by qualla
On the other hand, either the Felt Brougham or the Traitor Luggernaut https://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.
ortcutt is offline  
Reply
Old 08-14-11 | 07:56 PM
  #4  
Full Member
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 346
Likes: 1
From: Philadelphia

Bikes: 85 Peugeot Canyon Express, 73? Torpado, 85 Trek 400

Couple options from bikes direct. First one is a 5 speed.
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...kilott_wt5.htm
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ord_deluxe.htm
jettore is offline  
Reply
Old 08-14-11 | 09:55 PM
  #5  
Banned
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast

Bikes: 8

It seems a 3 Speed internal is mostly with English style bicycles.
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.
https://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.

Last edited by fietsbob; 08-14-11 at 10:05 PM.
fietsbob is offline  
Reply
Old 08-15-11 | 06:11 AM
  #6  
tcs's Avatar
tcs
Palmer
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,151
Likes: 2,261
From: Parts Unknown

Bikes: Mike Melton custom, Alex Moulton AM, Dahon Curl

If it was me, I'd probably start with a Masi Speciale Commuter and add an aftermarket RS-RF3. But that's just me.
tcs is offline  
Reply
Old 08-16-11 | 03:02 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 12,948
Likes: 9
From: England
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.
MichaelW is offline  
Reply
Old 08-16-11 | 05:45 AM
  #8  
BassNotBass's Avatar
master of bottom licks
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,210
Likes: 2
From: Lou-evil, Canned-Yucky USA
Originally Posted by ortcutt
...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.
The S3X also accepts BMX freewheels so it'll coast.
BassNotBass is offline  
Reply
Old 09-16-11 | 07:42 PM
  #9  
Velognome's Avatar
Get off my lawn!
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,035
Likes: 118
From: The Garden State

Bikes: 1917 Loomis, 1923 Rudge, 1930 Hercules Renown, 1947 Mclean, 1948 JA Holland, 1955 Hetchins, 1957 Carlton Flyer, 1962 Raleigh Sport, 1978&81 Raleigh Gomp GS', 2010 Raliegh Clubman

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.
Velognome is offline  
Reply
Old 09-16-11 | 08:40 PM
  #10  
canyoneagle's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,599
Likes: 158
From: Santa Fe, NM

Bikes: Vassago Moosknuckle Ti 29+ XTR, 90's Merckx Corsa-01 9sp Record, PROJECT: 1954 Frejus SuperCorsa

Originally Posted by Velognome
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.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
Noni Big Mtn Summit.jpg (113.9 KB, 82 views)
canyoneagle is offline  
Reply
Old 09-16-11 | 09:18 PM
  #11  
jsavage451's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Ventura, CA

Bikes: Giovani/ Colnago something weird, early 80's Centurion Super LeMans Single gear conversion, Novara Strada, 73 Schwinn Bantam and a garage full of projects and rebuilds

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.
jsavage451 is offline  
Reply
Old 09-17-11 | 05:19 PM
  #12  
Sir Lunch-a-lot's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 410
Likes: 1
From: Calgary, AB

Bikes: Montague Folding/E-Bike, Kuwahara

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.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg
IMG00353.jpg (97.4 KB, 14 views)
Sir Lunch-a-lot is offline  
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Ballenxj
Commuting
10
07-14-17 09:10 AM
Mister214
Commuting
16
03-16-17 03:38 PM
Scooby214
Commuting
32
07-15-12 07:11 AM
Carcinogent
Classic & Vintage
3
03-02-10 03:42 PM
Airburst
Bicycle Mechanics
15
01-29-10 07:42 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.