Im looking for a 3 speed hub geared bike for work but not sure if they are suitable for getting up hills and commuting,i was looking for something cheap like a viking downtown,raleigh chiltern or charge steamer does anyone anyone have experience of these or others or should i be looking at more gears?,thanks
Bike for work
- Thread starter Makemore
- Start date
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snorri
Legendary Member
- Location
- East coast, up a bit.
More gears=more time and expense on maintenance and repairs.
Decisions decisions
Decisions decisions
corshamjim
New Member
- Location
- Corsham
I use a 3-speed (modern Sturmey Archer XL-RD3 hub) for commuting (4 miles each way). I find it fine for that. There are a few hills on my commute, but none of them terribly steep. Depending on the wind direction and how I feel I quite often don't use 1st gear.
It's cheap and easy to change the rear sprocket to raise or lower the gear ratios overall. I fitted the largest sprocket available (22t) to give me the lowest gears possible. According to Sheldon's Gear Calculator that's 39", 52" and 69.3" (with 26" wheels and a 44t chainring). The 69.3" top gear I find isn't quite as high as I'd like, but I'm reluctant to sacrifice the low gear as I often carry loads, and have just bought a trailer too.
Of those 3 bikes I would recommend the Charge Steamer, as the drum brakes work equally well in all weathers and need almost no maintenance.
It's cheap and easy to change the rear sprocket to raise or lower the gear ratios overall. I fitted the largest sprocket available (22t) to give me the lowest gears possible. According to Sheldon's Gear Calculator that's 39", 52" and 69.3" (with 26" wheels and a 44t chainring). The 69.3" top gear I find isn't quite as high as I'd like, but I'm reluctant to sacrifice the low gear as I often carry loads, and have just bought a trailer too.
Of those 3 bikes I would recommend the Charge Steamer, as the drum brakes work equally well in all weathers and need almost no maintenance.
SavageHoutkop
Veteran
- Location
- South Manchester-ish
I have a 6 speed hub geared bike for commuting - my Brompton. It's really a 3 speed hub plus a funny dérailleur thing.
Most often I cycle as a 3 speed and it's perfectly fine but my commute is flat. I use the bottom for getting away from traffic lights, and usually pedal in top gear on the flat. In a headwind I do like the extra flexibility of the 6 speed over the three, but on my commute over 90% of the time I'm essentially riding a 3 speed hub gear.
Most often I cycle as a 3 speed and it's perfectly fine but my commute is flat. I use the bottom for getting away from traffic lights, and usually pedal in top gear on the flat. In a headwind I do like the extra flexibility of the 6 speed over the three, but on my commute over 90% of the time I'm essentially riding a 3 speed hub gear.
A BETTER hub, Sir? Just because it has more gears doesn't make it BETTER!
A wheel with a SA 3-speed hub in it is a lot easier to get off than a nexus/alfine hub for a start.
dicko
Guru
- Location
- Derbyshire
I used to dream of having a bike with a three speed hub. Then I got one (brand new 1963 Moulton Standard) and it was everything I had always wanted. Over the years and bikes now come with 18 to 28 gear Shimano's but I noticed today that I am only using three of them. Maybe its just me.
D
Deleted member 1258
Guest
[QUOTE 1368752"]
That reminds me. There's a three geared fixed hub apparently. (That's what I want for xmas!)
[/quote]
I'd like to try one of those one day
For my commuting and general running about I use single speed fixed, on the Sunday rides the bike I use has 20 gears yet I often find that all I've used is three of them.
That reminds me. There's a three geared fixed hub apparently. (That's what I want for xmas!)
[/quote]
I'd like to try one of those one day
For my commuting and general running about I use single speed fixed, on the Sunday rides the bike I use has 20 gears yet I often find that all I've used is three of them.
XmisterIS
Purveyor of fine nonsense
My commuter bike has a single chainring and an 8-speed cassette. It seems a good compromise!
brokenbetty
Über Member
- Location
- London
I commute 5 miles with a 3 speed Sturmey Archer AW. I've got one reasonable hill and the lowest gear is fine. I don't feel the need for more gears.
Ordered the charge steamer 2010 half price for 250 at evans cycles i just hope it dont feel to slow and hard work compared to my road bike but im looking forward to riding in an upright position and hate having a ruck sack on my back in hot weather
dicko
Guru
- Location
- Derbyshire
That looks like a useful bike to have. For half price its a bargain it has a carrier, hub brakes, mudgards too. In all my years of biking I have never had a problem with Sturmey Archer hubs or going up hills with them.
