Any personal experience with a three speed fixie hub? I don't mean to upset the purists here but riding a single speed is not too much fun for my work commute. I ride fixed with brakes, but what's this about not being able to lean backwards on the pedals? The Shimano one looks good to me because of the ratios...

Thanks in advance.

My experience with the S-A S3X hub was that it was prone to false neutrals. This is dangerous on a fixed hub as the cranks immediately spin up when it pops out of "neutral." I heard this was a shifter design issue and has been addressed.

While not S3X-specific, I've seen (and experienced) broken axles on internally geared hub after hard riding (standing climbing, curb hops).

I think the 3spd fixed hubs are neat but don't do 3spd or fixed stuff very well.

If you want a geared fixed gear bike then I might get a pinion drive system and then use a fixed cog at the rear. I am unsure if it works fixed but it could solve the problems since your gears are at the cranks in a special gear box leaving your rear able to do many things from running it as a belt drive to a multi geared set up while always having 18 at the front.

I am still leary about the S3X but I do hope they have resolved the issues, since they do still sell them. However for me the simplicity of just having the one gear and maybe a freewheel or a larger cog on the other side is enough. Though I am innately curious about the Pinion drive and want to explore those possibilities. However it is not something you can buy off the shelf because you need a frame built around it and it is not a super light system.

i put like 3000 miles on an s3x, i destroyed it because my brake broke at the beginning of an 80 mile dirt ride so i had to use backpedaling to slow down and brake. sheared the "dog something" (i forget what its actually called) tab right off the axle. i wouldnt recommend using it for sw8 fixay skidzzz

other than that it rocked

i contacted customer support and they warrantied the internals and a shifter which they said the older models might not have been indexed perfectly, 100% free which also rocked

I've used a Sturmey-Archer S3X hub for several years now on my "bad weather" bike. I haven't had any problems with it, and have put plenty of miles on it, including several rainy 100+ mile rides. As others have noted, it's probably not a good idea to rely on it for all your braking needs, although I've had no problems using it for typical fixed gear speed control. The gear ratios are not ideal, IMO; I'd rather they had used the 0.75/0.9/1.0 ratios they used on the old ASC 3-speed fixed gear hub. You mention a Shimano hub with gear ratios you like. Which model is that? I'm not aware of any Shimano 3-speed fixed gear hub.

The Shimano hub I was looking at is:

Shimano Nexus Inter-3 Disc Brake Hub SG-3D55 32h 135mm

Ratios something like .73, 1.00, 1.36

The Nexus hub is not a fixed hub it will basically freewheel like most any other IGH. Assuming your bike is spaced for a 135mm hub you could run a disc brake cog and then have a 3 speed bailout like a flip flop hub. However note the disc brake cog would just be that single gear you cannot run it with the gears.

Not quite on topic but I have ridden two Cycle Oregons fixed with a flip-flop fixed-fixed hub, a chain wrench strapped to the top tube and all the cogs from 12 to 23 teeth. Flatter days, just the two cogs on the hub and no chain wrench. Big hill day, one of two cogs strapped to the tool bag. (Crater Lake - left camp on the 17 and flipped to 23. At the rim, pulled the 23 and put on the 12 and rode the rime on those two. After about 20 miles of descent, pulled the 23 and put the 17 back on.)

I did cheat. I use a frame with extra long dropouts that a) open to the front for quick changes with clean hands and b) can handle the 12 to 23 spread without messing with chain links.

Edit: My logo is that bike on my 2nd fixed Cycle Oregon. Let's see if I can post the picture here.



And a photo taken of me in the very early days of this bike (before i had the seat height dialed in!)

Ben

I see about that Shimano. So the S-A is the only real option, huh?

I have been dreaming about one of these since I rode a buddy's kilo s3x. His internals were replaced under warranty, and he has been trouble free (false neutral, occasionally, per him) since.

I would love to do a build with a s3x hub. Anyone else have any long term reviews? I know there is some chain lash, but it didn't bother me at all. Gearing, though not ideal, can be remedied and is not the issue some reviewers have made it out to be.

Outside of Sheldon modified s-a hubs is there anything else similar? I Have several multi speeds in the stable, but like fixed/single riding as well. I feel the addition of at least one more useable gear would be great for extended fixed training rides.

any my input is appreciated. Oh, and sorry if I am hijacking.

i never had any problems with false neutrals, i just destroyed it. the chain lash or slop or lag or whatever you wanna call it is really nothing, its the same feel as a fixed gear and a slightly too slack chain doing trackstands. this type of thing happens on every IGH including a $1700 rohloff hub, its just the way they work

i have a s3x wheelset collecting dust if anyones interested, brand new internals with like 20 miles on it

Your wheel would make my Paramount totally badass, but I might break it because I break things.

these jawns for reference



holy ****, i forgot what gumwalls look like when theyre new lmfao

Good to know. I only rode it for a couple miles but didn't experience anything like that. Can't PM yet, but I am interested. Lacking post count.

The guy at my awesome LBS said that he has built up some three speed fixed hubs and that he's not a fan. I trust him. Yesterday I went to a bike co-op and bought a 70's Fuji frame and fork and put my fixie drivetrain and wheels on it, I'll ride it that way for a while....

No three speed hub, but this is the latest build.

Does SRAM make something like this, maybe 2 speed? They use it on the Speedvagon Urban Racer but I think it might not be fixed.

I think they have a 2 speed automatic hub which changes gear based on speed. And S-A has a 2 speed kickback hub. I looked into both of those.
[MENTION=81962]ritchie[/MENTION]tables what are the deets on that build? IGH?

The SRAM Automatix 2 spd hubs are popular here in Europe. One version is freewheel, one has a cruiser brake, one has a Shimano roller brake. The version for 26" or 700c change automatically at a lowish speed, but can be changed by altering the spring tension - fiddly but possible. OLD is 120 or 130mm, but a new version can use a disk brake and has a 135mm OLD.

This thread at the UK CTC forum tells you a lot more than you need to know....CTC Forum ? View topic - SRAM A2 Automatix; introduction to the internals.

The S-A version has a 'kick-back' gear change - often confusing and not always reliable.
I've tested all the versions in the past, but I found them too limited.

I've used an early S3X for several years. No problem as long as it was set up correctly (with no cable slip!). With an early service (S3X service instructions) and getting rid of the manufacturers swarf helped keep it sweet.

Unlike the trad S-A 3 spds, the top gear is direct drive as it's based on the 5 spd hub. Mine is set as if it's a slightly high geared fixed bike, with 2 lower gears added to it

I do use a front brake, so the hub has a relatively gentle life....

48/19, eighthinch Amelia wheelset, serfas drifters 700 x 32, way old Dura-Ace single calipers w/mountain bike pads to help reach the 700's, tektro levers (awesome at around $25), old 3ttt bars from my 90's road bike. Post, stem, headset, frame & fork and ripped up seat from the 1978 Fuji. Fuji was a bike coop purchase on Wednesday for $35. Plus $5 for the pedals.