Sturmey Archer Conversion
 

Ok Ok before you flame me, I realize this is intended for single-speed fixies. That said...

has anyone tried Sheldon Brown's plans to fix a S.A. 3 speed? I'm about to start the process and would hate to reinvent (re-"fix"?) the wheel, so to speak. Any advice or experience would be greatly appreciated.

Now now now...those of you balling up your fists in righteous anger please keep in mind:
1. I'm a card carrying single-speed rider. This is just a fun summer project.
2. S.A. was making these bad boys stock (model ASC) long before most of us could even ride. :)

Thanks in advance,
cummingsc

The combination of defensiveness and condescension is almost as charming as the inability to use the search function.

m.

what does this have to do with coaster brakes?
he's asking about how to turn a 3-speed internal geared hub into a 2-speed fix gear.

I assume you're referring to sheldon's 2-speed SA AW conversion page?
http://sheldonbrown.com/awfixed.html
or the bendix fix on 63xc.com
http://www.63xc.com/lewisc/diy2fg.htm

I've never tried either, but I'm interested in knowing how it turns out.

maybe ask this guy:
http://fixedgeargallery.com/2004/g/webster.htm
or this guy
http://fixedgeargallery.com/2004/g/lasala.htm
or here:
http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~ha...rbrothersa.htm

this doesnt use an SA but I've read about a 2-speed fixed hub that the Bikesmith (in Seattle) developed. Sounds pretty trick.

Scroll to the bottom of http://www.thebikesmith.com/special.htm

Those are the ones based on a converted Bendix hub, right?

m.

Hmmm. The condescention was not intended, but as I look at it, is indeed there. I had done some seaches and found several discussions regarding the fixing of Bendix hubs, S.A. coaster brakes, and several oblique references to fixing S.A. hubs. Upon further searching, I now realize that the thread is indeed knowledgable about the old fixed S.A. hubs and my reproaching comment was unnecessary. My apologies to all.

Since it has been pointed out that my searching technique is inadequate, can anyone suggest what I should search for? I find that searching for "sturmey" or "archer" yields massive numbers of hits regarding coasters. "Fixed" and "gear" are obviously silly to search for. "convert/conversion" tends to be related to turning geared bikes into fixies.

cummingsc

i found this http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ght=fix+archer by searching for fix AND archer

it sez "specially modified coaster brake hub." seems like a 2-speed Bendix kickback would be the hub of choice. Jimv's in Seattle...maybe he knows. I just read somewhere that the Bikesmith would be closing soon.

Sadly, Bikesmith has been closed for 2 years now, but the great Val Kleitz is still around and I heard a rumor that he was planning to make the 2 - speed fixed hubs again. It would be nice if the Bikesmith website was updated to reflect this. Val was the guy that really ramped up my interest in coaster brakes and gave me free reign in his backroom .... oh my. I ended up buying most of his CB inventory when he closed shop. Great guy.

Jim

edit: multi-geared hubs aren't really my thing but I believe his version was made from a Sachs hub..... but I'm not 100% sure if I'm remembering that correctly.

edit again: OK, my memory sucks...I just checked out the 63xc site and they refer to Bikesmith and a Bendix 2-speed conversion.

Thanks all for your responses. I now have more info than I did before and a couple of leads for even more than look promising. I appreciate it!

cummingsc

please keep us informed as to the progress/success of your project!

I emailed Val about these here is his response

Chris: Finally, a note to let you know that I hve begun producing 2 speed fixed hubs again. They will be $200.00, and will come with instructions and all necessary hardware to attach to the shifter of your choice. Let me know what you think. Val Kletiz

His Email is instigator@thebikesmith.com

Hope this helps.

$200 is a bit steep, but I see a pretty decent market for this.

My bet is that if he follows through and starts shipping a conversion, we'll see major manufacturers follow on in a year or two. I know I see more fixed bikes than 3-speeds, especially if you weigh new fixed conversions versus old untouched 3-speeds. In terms of new product sales, fixed is far outstripping traditional internally geared hubs.

There are at least one or two folks on the fixedgeargallery.com forum who run the modified SA 3-speeds. You might want to ask around there and see if you can get some more info. Caveat emptor though: those guys can be even surlier than this crew.

m.

speak for yourself, you're the only one giving him a hard time

Yep, I'm a total ******bag.

m.

i haven't read any of the replies, but just wanted to say that i opened a sturmey-archer once, trying to see if i could fix it (not make it a fixed hub, but trying to make it stop slipping) and all the bits and pieces inside scared the hell out of me and i have no desire to ever **** with one again...

Here's what I'm wondering.
Will a multispeed fixed-gear hub hold up to the abuses of skidding and the like?
I would imagine that those little piece-parts might have an issue repeatedly taking that abuse, and that a multi-speed fixed would probably be better suited to more "conventional" riding, i.e. with a brake.
But maybe not, what do I know.

Again, thanks to all for the replies. The "you da man" award, however, must go to baxtefer for suggesting those fixed gear gallery bikes (how the hell did you find them, anyway?). Both owners responded to my emails with amazing amounts of technical info, pics, and genuine goodwill. As soon as I can put it all together I'll leave a "definitive" post with all the links, downloads, pictures, and whatnot that they supplied.

Now, I am feeling very confident I can do this project (whereas before, the Sheldon Brown site just scared the poop out of me).

And to whet your whistle for the future posting, one of the two bike guys said he has created a two speed conversion for SRAM hubs...and he'd be willing to do it for $100 provided you supply the hub.

Have a great week, all. It's the beginning of finals for me (I'm a teacher) so don't expect that post before the middle of next week.

cummingsc

someone on Fixed Gear Gallery I think made a three speed fixed hub with a four speed shift lever, when they shifted to the fourth gear it acted like neutral and they could coast, which sounded awesome. That would be a sweet way to do a fixed gear tour as well.

cummingsc
google. is there something it can't do?
Robbykills
I've also read about turning a 5-speed hub into a 3-speed fixed with a 4th coasting gear. however if i remember correctly he ended up with a bunch of backlash in one of the gears, and going from neutral to engaged was a bit dicey. I might be making this up though, and I can't seem to find the article.

a ha! sturmey fixing instructions!
http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~hadland/fixed.pdf

If anyone does this with an FM or FW hub, don't throw your "discarded" shells away. Instead, send them to me. I'll pay for shipping.

Especially when you unleash the power of the site-specific search. If you type "sturmey archer site:www.fixedgeargallery.com" google will just look at that site. It's nice if you want to search the gallery for a specific component... like all bikes with cinelli alter stems or something.

m.

Who was it that had the conversion for sram hubs? I've got one of those in a box somewhere.

Thanks,

fatbat