This is a warning to all interested in the Sturmey Archer S2C 2 speed kick back hub.

I have had 2 of these 2 speed hubs die on me now. The first one did not last a month. The second, lasted just shy of 3 months before it tried to kill me.

While on a community bike ride I decided to ride my commuter which has the S2C installed on it. During the community ride my S2C hub turned into a fixie and nearly threw me over the handle bars. After that it would not shift or would auto shift depending on it's mood. Had I been close to home, I would have just put it into a truck or walked it home. However, I was 7 miles from home when it went on the fritz, so I rode home. I nearly made it home before the rear wheel locked up and simply would not turn.

If you are looking for a trouble free, cable free, internal gear hub this is not it, buyer beware! I would not be writing this, but it is the second S2C hub I have replaced in less than 4 months and it went from working as it should to being dangerous without warning. In fairness to Sturmey Archer, they admitted that they have been having trouble with this hub and have upgraded me to a 3 speed free of charge. I think it has something to do with the coaster brake being built into it as they said they have not been having complaints about the S2 non-coaster version.

In short, unless you are willing to risk being stranded or injured do not buy this hub. I sincerely hope they recall this hub as it is only a matter of time before someone gets hurt.

And that Torker KB2 looked so appealing in its simplicity

If the Torker has the S2 it should be fine, if it has a coaster brake (S2C) I would avoid it.

What are you switching to? Retro-direct drive is fun.

More proof, for my theory that coaster brakes are evil.

I am switching to a S/A 3 speed with a coaster brake, provided free of charge by S/A to replace the S2C. I don't have a problem with coaster brakes in general. This is the first one in 25 years of riding them I have ever had a problem with. That said, I may be adding a front caliper brake to my commuter. The problem is it is a 2010 Trek beach cruiser so finding a caliper that will fit and reach the wide tires over a fender might be interesting. I think I remember seeing something that might work made by tektro. Normally, speed is not an issue (unless I am going down a hill) with this bike because it weighs 48 lbs with all my commuting gear on it. Ah, high ten steel, gotta love it.