Sturmey Archer quality.

[Hover Fly]

Anyone had any recent experience please? I have just had the first 531 frame I bought back in 1976 returned, and rather than have braze-ons for modern derailleurs just have it as simple as I can. I'm thinking of the S-RF3, 3 speed in an al.alloy shell.

 

[jay clock]

I am sure they are great quality, but for me, unless I was living in the Fens and only cycling short local rides, the lack of gear range would be a massive no-no (in fact if I was in the Fens, for such a bike I would go single speed.)

The intro of the MTB with its superb availability of gears for all gradients was the single factor that transformed cycling into a must-do activity for me.

 

[MacB]

I've got the new SRF3 and it's been great for the low mileage it's done so far. My LBS mechanic was quite impressed with the quality as well.

 

[buddha]

I've done just over 10k on my XRF-5. No major problems and build quality is very good. In fact it's just had its first service/oil change in 2 years (although I bu99ered this up by putting the wrong oil in!).
My only issues are the shifter (twist-grip) which is plastic and that if the shifter cable goes you'd be stuck in the highest gear - though this hasn't happened yet

 

[gadgetmind]

I use Sprinter5 hubs on my Bromptons and new spares from Taiwan look very well made. Better than the old one IMO.
Ian

 

[rogerzilla]

The design is better (no slip between normal and top) and so is the machining. They have two flaws: the extra set of pawls required by the noslip design is tripped out by a thin pressed metal shroud around the driver, which can get quite rattly, and they run in grease which means they have to be stripped and serviced - a foul messy job. The old ones could run for ever with a drop of oil every other week, no other servicing required.

Aome of the steels were harder on the UK-made ones - don't open up an S-RF3 using a hammer and punch, as the ball ring notches will get mangled.

 

[bonk man]

er .... I have just bought a new AW hubbed 700c wheel for my winter bike and golly gosh .. no oiler hole, shocking

er.... why? should I drill a hole in it and put an oil filler thingy in?

Grease is just so...............greasy

 

[rogerzilla]

The ball ring bearing cage on new SA hubs is a plastic affair that doubles as a dust seal. It doesn't retain oil like the old ball ring with a press-fit metal dust cap - this was pretty good at containing leaks, especially when the small gaps were gunged up after a few months' use.

I tried converting an S-RF3 to oil but it leaked all over the place. The shell (now fitted with an oiler) wasn't wasted though - it now houses an AM medium-ratio mechanism on the Brompton.

Certainly don't mix oil with the existing grease.

 

[bonk man]

How did you manage to seal it? Can you swap the seals for some that do keep the oil in?

I don't think grease is very friendly as far as internal drag is concerned, a slightly worn and oiled Sturmey must be more efficient than a grease filled one.
My AM rattles like hell on freewheel but at least I know it is spinning freely

 

[tyred]

er .... I have just bought a new AW hubbed 700c wheel for my winter bike and golly gosh .. no oiler hole, shocking

er.... why? should I drill a hole in it and put an oil filler thingy in?

Grease is just so...............greasy

I've seen it suggested that you can lube them by dripping oil down the hole in the axle where the indicator rod screws in (set bike on it's side first!).

 

[bonk man]

I've seen it suggested that you can lube them by dripping oil down the hole in the axle where the indicator rod screws in (set bike on it's side first!).

I think , as Rogerzilla has hinted at , it might be a bad move oiling these hubs, if they have grease in them it might not mix well with the oil and it will leak oil all over the carpet when you are not looking... Bit of a pain having to strip it down to re-lube though. I wonder if the wear is slower with grease? It must be the sort of grease that doesn't go solid .. hey Mr Sturmey?

 

[tyred]

I would take a guess is the reason it is grease filled now is because many people are too lazy to drip some oil into it every few weeks. Everybody wants maintenance free goods now, when it wears out, throw it away and buy another one. You only have to look at the car industry to see this.

 

[tyred]

The other thing is of course, grease doesn't leak out. It's the reason you often find the steering boxes on old tractors packed with grease instead of gear oil as intended by the manufacturer, it's an easy way of dealing with leaky seals.

 

[bonk man]

I am in the fortunate position of having an MOT inspector who ignores my leaky steering box...