Sturmey Archer AC or AM??
11-15-19, 11:45 PM
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Sturmey Archer AC or AM??
I have a choice of a Sturmey Archer AC or AM 3 speed hub. Both are working and complete however I can only get one... What one would you buy and why?
I am planning a new (old) build. Just an old "Grocery Gitter" nothing too serious. I want to start the build at the hub and go from there...
My Sturmey Archer X-RF8(w) was successful and I would like to go more vintage this time. It's a long winter here so I have plenty of time to complete...
Thanks
Brian
I am planning a new (old) build. Just an old "Grocery Gitter" nothing too serious. I want to start the build at the hub and go from there...
My Sturmey Archer X-RF8(w) was successful and I would like to go more vintage this time. It's a long winter here so I have plenty of time to complete...
Thanks
Brian
11-16-19, 05:50 AM
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I have a choice of a Sturmey Archer AC or AM 3 speed hub. Both are working and complete however I can only get one... What one would you buy and why?
I am planning a new (old) build. Just an old "Grocery Gitter" nothing too serious. I want to start the build at the hub and go from there...
My Sturmey Archer X-RF8(w) was successful and I would like to go more vintage this time. It's a long winter here so I have plenty of time to complete...
Thanks
Brian
I am planning a new (old) build. Just an old "Grocery Gitter" nothing too serious. I want to start the build at the hub and go from there...
My Sturmey Archer X-RF8(w) was successful and I would like to go more vintage this time. It's a long winter here so I have plenty of time to complete...
Thanks
Brian
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11-16-19, 05:56 AM
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What are the ratios of an AC?
Found them!
AC: +6.7%, 0, -7.7%
AM: +15.6%, 0, -13.5%
AW: +33.3%, 0, -25%
For shopping and errands, I'd suggest the AW. Assuming 46/16 sprockets and a 26" wheel, the AW gives you a low of 53.9". The AM gives a low gear of 64.7" and the AC gives 69.0". You can vary the sprockets, but the ratios are fixed - a narrow spread remains a narrow spread. To me, only the AW will give a usable low utility gear with a reasonable high of 95.8'. For AM it's 83.1" and for AC it's 76.7".
Just an example because the gears are all based on 26" wheel 46/16 sprockets.
The AW gives you a granny similar to an S5.
Found them!
AC: +6.7%, 0, -7.7%
AM: +15.6%, 0, -13.5%
AW: +33.3%, 0, -25%
For shopping and errands, I'd suggest the AW. Assuming 46/16 sprockets and a 26" wheel, the AW gives you a low of 53.9". The AM gives a low gear of 64.7" and the AC gives 69.0". You can vary the sprockets, but the ratios are fixed - a narrow spread remains a narrow spread. To me, only the AW will give a usable low utility gear with a reasonable high of 95.8'. For AM it's 83.1" and for AC it's 76.7".
Just an example because the gears are all based on 26" wheel 46/16 sprockets.
The AW gives you a granny similar to an S5.
Last edited by Road Fan; 11-16-19 at 06:33 AM.
11-16-19, 06:39 AM
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The AM is a fun hub for a go-fast build. I have no experience with the AC, but as noted it is relatively rare, so there’s the exotic factor.
11-16-19, 07:01 AM
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Gear range of an AM (46/16) is from 65 to 83. For my old-school 1967 2x5 Peug is (52/42, 14-21) from 52 to 100. For an AC (46/16) it will be 69 to 77.You can gear up the AC installation from 46/16 to 55/14 to get 100" on top, but then the 69" low will become about 86" for 83/100. So the AC (without supplemental derailleurs?) is not a gearing for normal folks, at least not this normal folk!
I forget where I read this, but city bike gearing is recommended to cover 35" to 75."
Last edited by Road Fan; 11-16-19 at 07:37 AM.
11-16-19, 07:03 AM
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11-16-19, 07:43 AM
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11-16-19, 07:57 AM
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What type of grocery getting riding do you do? What terrain? How do you like to ride? Would you do the same run on a singlespeed?
I'd be inclined to get the AC for funsies and rustle up a modern Shimano Nexus or Sturmey for the grocery getter. I've become partial to the extra gears of the 5-9 speed IGH's, as my knees tend to (prematurely) ache from too much time at the damn office desk.
-Kurt
I'd be inclined to get the AC for funsies and rustle up a modern Shimano Nexus or Sturmey for the grocery getter. I've become partial to the extra gears of the 5-9 speed IGH's, as my knees tend to (prematurely) ache from too much time at the damn office desk.
-Kurt
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Last edited by cudak888; 11-16-19 at 08:24 AM.
11-16-19, 08:24 AM
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Good show! Hope it works out well for you.
-Kurt
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11-16-19, 08:27 AM
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11-16-19, 08:57 AM
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This summer I upgraded my townie to a 1969 S5, I love the slightly closer 2 3 and 4 gears, ever so rarely I use first, and 5th gets used somewhat normally, but I quite like the AM ratios compared to the AW ratios.
11-16-19, 09:58 AM
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I'm envious! I generally only use two gears on an AW hub because they're so far apart, and I often wish they were closer.
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11-16-19, 12:49 PM
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S5 internals screw right into an AW shell, so you don't have to build a new wheel to get a closer range 3 speed in your AW equipped bike. You can easily just run it as a 3 speed and not use 1st or 5th which you have to set up an additional shifter for. My hunch is you already know this, just posting it for others that may be lusting after some closer ratio gears of the Sturmey Archer variety :-)
11-16-19, 12:51 PM
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@jackbombay, I do know that, and even those gears are too far apart. Thanks.
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11-16-19, 03:12 PM
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Serious, this is decent advice, at least an important consideration. I have a few older hubs - 1951 AW, a slightly newer FM, and a FG in similar condition. So far it looks like all will fit the OLD of my 1951 Rudge frame, but would need some fiddling, flexing, or finagling to match a Super Course, UO-8, or something newer and 126 mm, since I'm picky about stays. The biggest issues with Sports and such is, will you have standard British bearing fitments (BSA/BSC), or the old Raleigh standards? This applies to BB shells, head tubes, and crown race seats.
11-29-19, 03:09 AM
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2 part toggle chain
What are these toggle chains proper name? Part number?? They must be a 2 part chain? I am trying to search them however not having much luck. I believe I need the part that connects to the gear cable.
Just not sure what they are called...I received my AM hub today and noticed it had a different chain...
Thanks
Brian
