Re: [CR]Single-speed or three speed?

(Example: Framebuilders:Brian Baylis)

Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2007 22:47:34 -0500
To: "Dr. Paul Williams" <castell5@sympatico.ca>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
From: "Mark Stonich" <mark@bikesmithdesign.com>
Subject: Re: [CR]Single-speed or three speed?
In-Reply-To: <014101c7ffdd$79535c30$0300a8c0@ourlaptop>
References: <014101c7ffdd$79535c30$0300a8c0@ourlaptop>


At 08:35 PM 9/25/2007, Dr. Paul Williams wrote:
>I think I have come down to building the Carpenter with either a
>three-speed hub or go with a single-speed. I like the idea of the former
>as it would be fun as a club-bike set-up. I was interested in reading
>Sheldon's views that the three-speed is looked down upon by many - I
>note that we don't really talk much about three-speed set ups on this
>list although they were aspects of the British club scene. How many
>others on the list have recently built a lightweight up with a
>three-speed hub?

Paul, Anything with a coaster or drum brake, or dynohub would probably be inappropriate. But among three speeds, an AM, AC, or fixed gear ASC will get plenty of respect. Wide ratio AWs don't have much status, but they are bulletproof if you keep the indicator adjusted and parts are readily available. I know 5 local guys running them on lightweights.

Or consider a 4 speed. I just built up a 1957 RRA Moderne with an FM, which has 3 fairly close gears and a big drop to a low "Bottom" gear. Very nice indeed.

Close ratio FCs are pretty scarce. The easier to find FW is supposedly "Wide ratio". But I find the spacing just enough tighter than an AW to provide a very pleasant ride. In fact my ride today was on my FW equipped 1950 Norman.

All of the hubs I mentioned were available in 1949 when your Carpenter was built.

Mark Stonich;
     BikeSmith Design & Fabrication
       5349 Elliot Ave S. - Minneapolis. MN 55417
            Ph. (612) 824-2372 http://bikesmithdesign.com
                        http://mnhpva.org