Sturmey Archer 3 Speed Chain Wear
05-31-20, 06:26 AM
#1
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Sturmey Archer 3 Speed Chain Wear
One of my bikes is a 1971 Raleigh 3 speed. I checked the chain for wear with a Park Tool CC-3 chain wear checker at 1% the checker falls in with no resistance at all.
Possibly foolish question: Is the British Sturmey Archer chain manufactured to the same specs regarding pin distances as our multi speed chains?
Should I replace it with a single speed chain?
I rarely ride it. Only on sunny days with little wind.
Possibly foolish question: Is the British Sturmey Archer chain manufactured to the same specs regarding pin distances as our multi speed chains?
Should I replace it with a single speed chain?
I rarely ride it. Only on sunny days with little wind.
05-31-20, 06:41 AM
#2
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Yes it‘s the same pitch and yes replace it with a single speed chain.
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05-31-20, 07:44 AM
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Chains on 1/8" single speed, coaster brake, igh bikes last far longer then on der. equipped bikes for a few reasons. The wider tooth face and chain roller/pin makes for greater surface area accepting the pressure. The chain line is typically far straighter. Each link goes through less "hinging" amount as there's no set of pulleys the chain runs through. And as the chain/teeth do wear there's far less ability for the chain to climb up the tooth face and skip over it, as the chain has no spring loaded tensioner allowing the chain to "play out".
Just the same wear is wear and replacing worn out parts is always a good thing if possible. Andy
Just the same wear is wear and replacing worn out parts is always a good thing if possible. Andy
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05-31-20, 08:10 AM
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Why rarely ride it?? If it's because of cotter cranks and or goofy rim-pull brakes, I can see that. When windy, just go crosswind.
I'm not afraid to ride my bought in 2017, 1973 CCM, city or highway. It has new 650B/ 38 wheels with a new SA-RD3 drum brake with 1 piece crank and old style comfort bar. It has 46/ 19T. 2 days ago I rode it 85 miles RT, west on the hilliest route here, avg 12.5 mph with a rest in the middle . Zero problem, except my pants rubbing my thigh. It has 3,450 miles in 3 years, 1930 miles on the 30+ year old front tire. LOL.
Before this I had a SA RD5w that was actually the fastest and best drive train I ever had. The 115 GI helped a lot to pad the avg. It did 125 miles twice, 16 days apart.
Last summer I took it on top my car, across Canada and back thru the States. I rode it in Brandon MB, Kenora, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa/ Gatineau, and Que City. In Toronto, my hotel was 12.5 miles away in Markham. Absolutely NO problem riding 42+ miles to DT and back, 3 days.
I'm not afraid to ride my bought in 2017, 1973 CCM, city or highway. It has new 650B/ 38 wheels with a new SA-RD3 drum brake with 1 piece crank and old style comfort bar. It has 46/ 19T. 2 days ago I rode it 85 miles RT, west on the hilliest route here, avg 12.5 mph with a rest in the middle . Zero problem, except my pants rubbing my thigh. It has 3,450 miles in 3 years, 1930 miles on the 30+ year old front tire. LOL.
Before this I had a SA RD5w that was actually the fastest and best drive train I ever had. The 115 GI helped a lot to pad the avg. It did 125 miles twice, 16 days apart.
Last summer I took it on top my car, across Canada and back thru the States. I rode it in Brandon MB, Kenora, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa/ Gatineau, and Que City. In Toronto, my hotel was 12.5 miles away in Markham. Absolutely NO problem riding 42+ miles to DT and back, 3 days.
Last edited by GamblerGORD53; 05-31-20 at 12:40 PM.
05-31-20, 08:20 AM
#6
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Thanks Andrew, I was going to post in the For the Love of English 3 Speeds thread yet I figured you would most likely be here.
Gambler Gord that is Great.
I ride my various multi speed bikes in wind, mild rain etc (more aerodynamic positioning)
I bet you are in much better physical shape than I.
Gambler Gord that is Great.
I ride my various multi speed bikes in wind, mild rain etc (more aerodynamic positioning)
I bet you are in much better physical shape than I.
Last edited by Dsprok; 05-31-20 at 08:27 AM. Reason: spellin
05-31-20, 08:30 AM
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While you're replacing the chain, check the sprockets for excessive wear. If the chain is that worn, it's possible (even probable) that the rear sprocket and maybe the chainring are badly worn.
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05-31-20, 09:59 AM
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In addition to the above, I've noticed that the older 1/8" Sturmey cogs last a long time. I've never seen one with the familiar "shark tooth" wear pattern. Besides being wider, I think the old ones are also made out of hardened steel.
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05-31-20, 12:37 PM
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My dad wore out his SS Rudge ring and cog plenty, took 60+ years. LOL He was a GM mechanic, but refused to spend money on his/ mine old bike. We got the bike in 1968 when it was 10 or 20 years old. When I took it apart in 2016, the chain was stretched 1/4", LOL. So I don't think it was ever changed.
On my long chain stay Rohloff and SA tour bike now, I get poor life for some reason. Only 2 to 3,000 miles. My chain cover doesn't seem to help much.
On my long chain stay Rohloff and SA tour bike now, I get poor life for some reason. Only 2 to 3,000 miles. My chain cover doesn't seem to help much.
Last edited by GamblerGORD53; 05-31-20 at 04:13 PM.
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05-31-20, 03:36 PM
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05-31-20, 06:11 PM
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Over the years i have noticed that the newer the parts are the quicker they seem to wear out. One thought I have had is that to make the parts (like cassette cogs, chains and rings) with increasingly more complex shaping the base material stock is becoming softer (to stamp/cut with less cost in production). Thus the end product is becoming more wear prone. Additionally as tolerances have been reduced (in the search of more cogs in the same space as example) the effect or wear becomes more noticeable sooner then in the past.
Any thoughts on this? Andy
Any thoughts on this? Andy
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