Is the the Sturmey-Archer S-RF5(W) Five Speed Internal gear hub winter-proof?
10-09-11, 01:46 PM
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Is the the Sturmey-Archer S-RF5(W) Five Speed Internal gear hub winter-proof?
Is this hub sealed well enough for salty-wet roads in the winter in Chicago.
https://www.sturmey-archer.com/products/hubs/cid/4/id/34
https://www.sturmey-archer.com/products/hubs/cid/4/id/34
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
10-10-11, 04:55 AM
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Yes,it should.These Sturmey Archer hubs are pretty fit and forget,a lot better than ruining expensive derailleurs.Shimano hubs are good too but a bit more spendy.
10-10-11, 05:10 AM
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Thanks!
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
10-10-11, 08:55 AM
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Dunno about "winter-proof"...
I recently had this same question as I was looking for a winter commuter. Since I'm new to the area, I asked around at local bike shops, and generally was told that internal hubs are "iffy" for winter. The biggest issue is the amount of salt used on roads, and the internal seals on the hub. Since here (southern Ontario), they use A LOT of salt, an IGH was not recommended. Some people have reasonable success, but the LBSs I talked to really stressed that additional maintenance was required (periodic disassembly and cleaning), and that the IGH certainly wasn't fire and forget.
Ultimately since my commute is pretty flat, I went with a single speed 29er. YMMV but I would plan on having to spend some extra time an $$$ on an IGH to make sure the internals stay corrosion free.
My 2¢
I recently had this same question as I was looking for a winter commuter. Since I'm new to the area, I asked around at local bike shops, and generally was told that internal hubs are "iffy" for winter. The biggest issue is the amount of salt used on roads, and the internal seals on the hub. Since here (southern Ontario), they use A LOT of salt, an IGH was not recommended. Some people have reasonable success, but the LBSs I talked to really stressed that additional maintenance was required (periodic disassembly and cleaning), and that the IGH certainly wasn't fire and forget.
Ultimately since my commute is pretty flat, I went with a single speed 29er. YMMV but I would plan on having to spend some extra time an $$$ on an IGH to make sure the internals stay corrosion free.
My 2¢
10-10-11, 02:31 PM
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Dunno about "winter-proof"...
I recently had this same question as I was looking for a winter commuter. Since I'm new to the area, I asked around at local bike shops, and generally was told that internal hubs are "iffy" for winter. The biggest issue is the amount of salt used on roads, and the internal seals on the hub. Since here (southern Ontario), they use A LOT of salt, an IGH was not recommended. Some people have reasonable success, but the LBSs I talked to really stressed that additional maintenance was required (periodic disassembly and cleaning), and that the IGH certainly wasn't fire and forget.
Ultimately since my commute is pretty flat, I went with a single speed 29er. YMMV but I would plan on having to spend some extra time an $$$ on an IGH to make sure the internals stay corrosion free.
My 2¢
I recently had this same question as I was looking for a winter commuter. Since I'm new to the area, I asked around at local bike shops, and generally was told that internal hubs are "iffy" for winter. The biggest issue is the amount of salt used on roads, and the internal seals on the hub. Since here (southern Ontario), they use A LOT of salt, an IGH was not recommended. Some people have reasonable success, but the LBSs I talked to really stressed that additional maintenance was required (periodic disassembly and cleaning), and that the IGH certainly wasn't fire and forget.
Ultimately since my commute is pretty flat, I went with a single speed 29er. YMMV but I would plan on having to spend some extra time an $$$ on an IGH to make sure the internals stay corrosion free.
My 2¢
10-25-11, 07:23 PM
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The SA 5 has a neutral gap that makes 2nd gear almost impossible to engage when downshifting. I have to go up to 1st first.
07-04-12, 04:54 PM
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I have a taiwanese S-RF5 that does not have the neutral gap you talk of anymore.
I did have a hard time adjusting it to shift properly at first, but seems to be working fine now. I think that the indicator rod that came with my hub was not the correct one. I tried to tune it by the position of the yellow band to no avail. I wasn't able to shift into all the gears plus I had sort of a neutral effect. Shifting into 5th gear was almost impossible. There was enough play in the indexed thumb shifter to change from being engaged to "neutral" in some gears.
I ended up adjusting the SA "by ear" on a repair stand. 3rd gear is direct drive, so no ticking sound when pedaling. I adjusted the tension on the cable so it would stay "in gear" within the "play range" of the thumb shifter.
Shifting to 2nd, would engage a different gear and the ticking sound would start. Shifting to 1st changes the ticking sound.
07-15-12, 07:13 PM
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They call the shift piece an 'Indicator chain', because you use the shoulder of the rod part
even with the end of the axle, as seen thru the spy-hole,
to indicate the lever is in adjustment with the hub..
in 2nd on the 3 speed and 3rd in the 5, the N Middle direct 1:1 gear.
I found, their drum brake is a good winter stopper..
even with the end of the axle, as seen thru the spy-hole,
to indicate the lever is in adjustment with the hub..
in 2nd on the 3 speed and 3rd in the 5, the N Middle direct 1:1 gear.
I found, their drum brake is a good winter stopper..
10-29-12, 12:05 PM
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I've had this hub for one year on a bike in Boston. It did not survive. Only the lowest 2 gears work and the others go to neutral. I had my LDS take a look at it and they said they'd have to take the thing apart to repair it which costs more than the hub. I contacted Sturmey over a week ago about a warranty claim and still no response and no support. Try something else.
Is this hub sealed well enough for salty-wet roads in the winter in Chicago.
https://www.sturmey-archer.com/products/hubs/cid/4/id/34
https://www.sturmey-archer.com/products/hubs/cid/4/id/34
