Sturmey Archer heritage

[avecReynolds531]

After a few childhood experiences of the AW false neutrals, it was decades before I'd return to Sturmey Archer.

Two SRF3 hubs later, I've slowly learnt an appreciation of this iconic design. Though it would be fair to say, still don't have a clue how it works....

Fantastic historical info here: http://www.sturmey-archerheritage.com/

 

[winjim]

Though it would be fair to say, still don't have a clue how it works....

It works like this:

 

[raleighnut]

After a few childhood experiences of the AW false neutrals, it was decades before I'd return to Sturmey Archer.

Two SRF3 hubs later, I've slowly learnt an appreciation of this iconic design. Though it would be fair to say, still don't have a clue how it works....

Fantastic historical info here: http://www.sturmey-archerheritage.com/

It's a 'planetarey' gear system(similar to a car 'automatic' gear system) but correct cable tension is critical to avoid those 'no drive' situations

 

[Drago]

One of my earliest cycling memories was my old feller showing me how to strip and rebuild an SA hub and explaining its workings to me.

 

[simongt]

Only issue with hub gears is that few cycle shops / LBSs know how to strip & service a hub gearbox properly.
Having seen a cutaway drawing of an SA hub in R.J.Way's 1951 book 'Cycling', I'm not surprised - !

 

[Chris S]

There are plenty of videos on YouTube showing you how to strip them down and rebuild them. They're really easy to understand if you group the parts into functioning components.

Anyway, I'd rather have an AW than an SRF3. It has less drag, the pawls are stronger and there is no actuator plate to break.

 

[TheDoctor]

The band 'Dead or Alive' published an explanation , but essentially the inner workings spin right round.
Like a record, baby.
(bans self)

 

[mjr]

More seriously:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6eWVeqdkSQ


AW and friends are fine as long as you have the correct shift rod and keep it aligned correctly.

SRF and its newer friends don't have the easy neutral between gears 2 and 3, but can bend or snap its clutch plate (actuator plate) if you wheel it backwards in 3, so best not to park with the cable slack.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

still don't have a clue how it works....

There is a mini derailleur inside the hub 😉

 

[albion]

Old company, not quite 1725 like Causey Arch.
One thing I never knew is that the Causey Arch is on the Gibside Estate of George Bowes fame.
The must see bucket list arch is on the heritage Tanfield Railway connecting with the Bowes Railway path at St Andres Station.

 

[mjr]

Old company, not quite 1725 like Causey Arch.

Sturmey Archer may have started in 1902, but it was bought by Raleigh between 1927 and 1934(?) and sold to Sun Race in 2000. Which date do you take?

 

[albion]

1902 of course, the Raleigh owner was said to be supporting the company from the very beginning.
It just shows that little has changed on bikes, ignoring disc brakes. Though apparently, hub brakes on bikes began before 1900.

 

[BMBoy]

Hi Sturmey experts! I’m working on a resource to help riders easily find the correct tool options for specific parts on their bikes. Most of the work is done, but I have a few gaps to fill. I wondered if any helpful souls who have any of the tools / parts listed below could take the time to provide some simple measurements of these?

I'm not able to add any diagrams yet until I've posted more, but I’m looking for minor and major diameter dimensions for the relevant tool OR the tool surface of the parts described below.

For example, for the tools with the small rounded prongs, the minor diameter would be measured between two opposite prong tips. The major diameter would be measured across opposite (internal) sides at a point where there are no prongs.

Ideally these should be as accurate as possible, measured in millimetres with a vernier caliper, thanks! (Please also let me know if you measured the part or the corresponding tool).

Any help will be much appreciated….ultimately I’m hoping this will benefit others too in the longer term!


Sturmey Archer 3-speed and 5-speed internal geared hubs (models: S30, S50, S3, S-RF3, S-RF5 and AW). Tool with two small rounded ridges….(used to remove ‘ball ring’ and gear insert). Corresponding tools: Sturmey ArcherHTR145, Sturmey Archer HTR130, Sturmey Archer ‘Classic Ball Ring Spanner’

Sturmey Archer S40 hub. Corresponding tools: Sturmey Archer HTR151, Sturmey Archer S40 Ball ring spanner with four small rounded ridges

Sturmey Archer C50 hub. Corresponding tools: Sturmey Archer HTR148, Sturmey Archer C50 Ball ring spanner with four small rounded ridges

Sturmey Archer internal gear hubs, Sturmey Archer S80 Kickback hub. Corresponding tools (used on ball cap hub cover): Sturmey Archer HTR146, Sturmey Archer S80W ball ring spanner with six small rounded ridges.


Sturmey Archer freehub replaceable threaded ratchet ring (including those found on hubs: X-RDC, CS-RK3, CS-RF3). Corresponding tool: Sturmey Archer HTR147 with fifteen ratchet-shaped ridges with flat tops.

Thank you.