Small cog

Has anyone else done a tour on their 3 speed? Here is my Raleigh badged Thorn fitted with an SA 3 speed and drum brakes on a four day ride along the C and O canal last year. With a 40 tooth chainring and 22 tooth rear sprocket I was able to pootle along at 10 mph in second gear the whole way.

1989Pre 

It is interesting that you mention Sheldon Brown. When I found this Elswick behind the L.B.S., it had a Newton registration plate (from the 1960's) on it. Newton, of course, is where Harris Cyclery was, and which we associate Sheldon Brown with. Interesting, too, because I lived in Newton from 1986 to 1995.
1958 Team with Coppi:

bikamper

Usually, just an overnighter anymore.

1974 Sports, 46/23, I think. Last years Lake Pepin 3 Speed Tour. I just plod along.

John D

Regarding the self adjusting levers, there is a spring inside that plastic housing that can easily be removed and then you have a free turning adjusting barrel. Takes less that a minute.

adventurepdx

Yep! I've mostly done three speed overnights, but in 2015 a couple of friends and I did a three speed tour in SW Wisconsin right after that year's Lake Pepin Three Speed Tour. Here's some photos below, all by me except the last one of me by my friend Pondero. You can see more pics on flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/urbana...7653962460591/

3speedslow

Winer is over! Time to bring the Scorchers back out!

1973 Raleigh sport turned scorcher with a few changes. Changed to a set back seatpost for a better fit. Having a great time on it!

woodrupjoe

Zen and the Art of Three Speeds…

I’m back on a Raleigh Sports again, last experienced 6 or 8 years ago, commuting in Manhattan.
For the last few years all my cycling has been on 80s road bikes, drop bars with downtube shifters.
I’d forgotten how completely different the experience was of sitting up straight and relaxed while slowly pedaling around.
On my road bikes (which I love riding!) I feel like I’m seriously getting someplace, but on the Raleigh I feel more like I’m just sort of watching the world go by while pedaling home. (or pedaling to work, less fun)
I read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance back when I was in college (1970s). I need to reread it, as I recall it had a lot to say about this sort of thing.
I remember some of the car vs motorcycle travel experience in that book… some of it may translate.

Soma1

Removing the self-adjusting plastic bits from the lever seems like a practical solution, especially considering their tendency to crack over time. It's valuable advice for maintaining older bike components and ensuring smooth operation.

1989Pre 

You have touched-on an important and interesting dynamic, which, at its essence, I think, is an equation of relaxation/stimulation. My journey has inexorably been tuned to the former in these later years, as I allow the "dust to settle" (doctor's orders in 2010). Still.., the show must go on. I ride my C&V road bikes on my longer and faster rides, but even then, I try to keep that enhanced activity level in context to what is real and lasting. I have never gotten around to reading Pirsig's book. From what you are saying, I should like it. There is something to be said for balance, after-all.

Cyclespanner

I read Persig's book while at college in my late teens in the 70's and was mystified by the theme.
Some of it must have sunk in, though at the time I was still shedding the last vestiges of being a callow youth.
Still have the book, but each time I pick it up, I put it down.
I've never found two people who shared the same interpretive experience reading the book,

1989Pre 

That looks great. Do you ride it mostly on paved surfaces?

3speedslow

Yes, mostly on roads. It’s fine with the high volume Specialized tires which are made for 26 x 1 3/8 rims on hard gravel but I don’t have much of it here, sadly.

Its very stable and easily ridden hands free.

52telecaster

I rode my gitane three speed on an overnight camping trip. 38-19. On 650bx42.

SirMike1983 

The C&O and the Capital Crescent Trails were my go-to trails when I lived in Maryland. Much of that riding was done on my 1974 Raleigh Sports. I also did quite a bit of riding on the Mount Vernon Trail with my 1978 DL-1 rod brake. They have some nice trails down there.

JohnDThompson 

Not a "loaded tour," but I've done the Lake Pepin 3-Speed tour several times on my 1973 Raleigh Superbe. I usually set up camp in Wabesha, drive to Red Wing, ride from Red Wing to Wabesha, spend the night there, ride to Red Wing the next day, then drive back to Wabesha to break camp.

1989Pre 

Just one, in full-sun. (I think I just "busted a rhyme"). A trip downtown was a chance for me to shamelessly flaunt my "new" Apex Ultralite frame pump. Now, all I need is a Schrader-to-Presta adapter so that I can use it! It is interesting that, when i received the pump, it did not compress air at all. A quick cleaning of the rubberized cup and a wipe of the inside of the tube, and it was restored and air-tight. I am waiting for 50 degrees so that i can do some real riding on the Rudge.

At Hannaford's Supermarket. This is my own, private post (nobody else ever uses it).

bikamper

I've driven past that Hannaford's, and your private post, many times. My kid lives up the road in Union.

1989Pre 

Summers are great here. I don't usually ride that far north, but I did do the Lobster Ride (117 miles) in '16,
which was right next to Union, at the Camden Snow Bowl.

bikamper

Yes they are. So are the other three seasons. She has been in Union almost 20 years now and has no desire to come back to the Midwest. She's also a bargain hunter and will find a bike for really cheap that I will bring home to fix up and donate. I was there one year during the Lobster ride but she didn't find a bike that time. We usually visit twice a year.

1989Pre 

It's funny that you mention cheap bikes to fix. A guy is coming down from from Nobleboro on saturday with a 1957 Raleigh Lenton Grand Prix that is in great shape and is "free" but I am giving him $40.00 to deliver it. Yeah, I have been here for 12 years in may and I am the happiest I have ever been.

PhilFo 

I'm dreaming of moving to Maine...

bikamper

She got the 'Maine Bug' early. We did a road trip through Canada to Acadia in '89. Out of the blue, she just said that she would live in Maine someday. And soon out of college, she did. Her oldest is a sophomore in high school and a true Mainer.
Nice score on the Raleigh. A year younger than me.

SirMike1983 

Shakedown ride for the 1957 Schwinn Traveler three speed last night:

1989Pre 

I just came across this bike in Craigslist, and thought you might enjoy it:

PhilFo 

So shiny