Sturmey Archer (SunTour)

[Yellow Fang]

It looks like Sturmey Archer (or SunTour, whoever they truly are now) are quietly bringing out some interesting hubs.

I think I read on the Brompton webpage that they'd got Sturmey Archer to design them a three speed hub with a wider gear range. Then looking at the Pashley website, it appears their new Clubman will be available with three hub options: the S3X-3 speed fixed gear, the SRC3-3 speed with coaster brake, or the latest S2C-2 speed kickshift with coaster brake. The last one seems to have been inspired by the old Sachs duomatic hub, enabling the cyclist to both brake and change gear by back-pedaling. They used a batch of old new duomatic hubs for their Guv'nor Plus Four and a special edition of a Moulton. I remember reading in C+ about a two speed fixed wheel hub that Sturmey Archer used to make, but I'd never heard about a three speed. Interesting.

Sturmey Archer could do with updating their webpage though.

 

[Theseus]

I was thinking about getting a S3X, but hear that they are going to be around £200 including cables & shifter. That seems a bit steep, but I suppose that a) they have development costs to recover and they are likely to have a full order book for them and they will be in short supply however much they charge for them.

 

[Yellow Fang]

I expect they're only planning on a short production run so need to recoup their development costs as you say. Then you have to get it built up into a wheel.

 

[Theseus]

I expect they're only planning on a short production run so need to recoup their development costs as you say. Then you have to get it built up into a wheel.

That bit is easy.

• Choose a suitable rim
• Put measurements of hub & rim into a spoke calculator
• Order/buy rim & spokes from LBS/Wiggle/whoever
• Print out wheel building instructions from Sheldon Brown
• Spend a zen-like afternoon putting it altogether

So far I have built a front wheel on a dynohub for my Nemesis & a set of wheels for each of my fixies.

 

[Yellow Fang]

I didn't find it particularly easy when I had a go. My attempt was decidedly wobbly. Still, I don't suppose that would matter so much with one of these hubs.

 

[rogerzilla]

The S3X costs £180 plus £7 postage from oldbiketrader.co.uk. Mine has just arrived in stock.

This includes the hub, shifter, sprocket, chainstay clip (although I think I'll run mine along the top tube and down the seatstay, which is the way it used to be done and has some advantages) and, I think, a cable and indicator chain.

The smallest sprocket available with a new hub is 15T in 1/8", but I'm trying to get a 14T so the bike is equally suitable for TTs and general riding; gears of about 57", 68" and 90" with a 48T ring. They are Shimano-pattern splines with a lockring, not the usual SA three splines with a circlip, which presumably wouldn't be rigid enough.

 

[jimboalee]

Sunrace Sturmey Archer S3X.

Fixed 3 speed?

The info I have is 3rd ( top ) is 'straight thru' 1:1 gear.

2nd is 0.75 and 1st is 0.625.

A 20lb bike set up so 3rd is 80" ( 48 x 16 ) will give 60" in 2nd and 50" in 1st.

50" = ( 1/20 * 1000 ) The 'Olde School witchcraft' climbing gear.

Good old Sturmey.

If your bike is 22lb, you fit a 43 x 16 so you get 71, 53 and 44".

1/22 * 1000 = 45

If you're lucky and the bike is 18lb, fit a 53 x 16 to get 88, 66 and 55".

1/18 * 1000 = 55.5

If your very lucky and the bike is 16lb, you'll have to find a massive 56 ring with a 15 sprocket ( real cool ) so 1st is 62".