Looking for a three speed internal
#1
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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
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
#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.
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.
#3
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.
#4
Full Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 346
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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
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...kilott_wt5.htm
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ord_deluxe.htm
#5
Banned
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
It seems a 3 Speed internal is mostly with English style bicycles.
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.
#6
Palmer

Joined: Mar 2007
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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.
#8
#9
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Joined: Nov 2010
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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.
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.
#10
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Santa Fe, NM
Bikes: Vassago Moosknuckle Ti 29+ XTR, 90's Merckx Corsa-01 9sp Record, PROJECT: 1954 Frejus SuperCorsa
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.
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 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.
#11
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Joined: Jul 2011
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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.
#12
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Joined: Jun 2005
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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.
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.
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