For the love of English 3 speeds...
Bikes are okay, I guess.
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Hercules for sale in the area. Probably later than the advertised '50s and overpriced but it looks complete and in okay shape.
https://richmond.craigslist.org/bik/...920553860.html
bicycle frame material: steel
bicycle type: road
brake type: disc (mechanical)
condition: fair
electric assist: none
frame size: unknown
handlebar type: cruiser
make / manufacturer: Hercules
serial number: none
suspension: none (rigid)
wheel size: 26 in
A diamond in the rough! Made in Nottingham England. In fair shape. Needs cleaning and adjusting. Sturmey Archer 3-speed gears. Brooks leather saddle. Dunlop tyres. Chain good. Dark green fenders. Price negotiable.
https://richmond.craigslist.org/bik/...920553860.html
1950's English bicycle - $125 (Ashland VA)
bicycle type: road
brake type: disc (mechanical)
condition: fair
electric assist: none
frame size: unknown
handlebar type: cruiser
make / manufacturer: Hercules
serial number: none
suspension: none (rigid)
wheel size: 26 in
A diamond in the rough! Made in Nottingham England. In fair shape. Needs cleaning and adjusting. Sturmey Archer 3-speed gears. Brooks leather saddle. Dunlop tyres. Chain good. Dark green fenders. Price negotiable.
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Yes, although sometimes I wish for a gear between 2 and 3. I just put a Cateye on my mixte AW conversion so I have a better idea now of its performance. (Not to mention my own.) I spin out in 2nd at 18 to 20 mph. It doesn't outweigh the AW's practicality, but the upshift to 3rd from there is a big jump.
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Thanks, looks like a match to the '77 catalog to me as well. I have an old alloy MTB stem on another 23" road bike that would be just about right and looks just vintage enough most people wouldn't notice. I was getting ready to decommision that one anyway. I also have a pretty good selection of DiaCompe brake calipers that would probably work nicely. I have a couple sets of R559's but they're pretty long reach. I'll have to scrounge up better levers, all I have are MTB levers and they'd look way out of proportion to the rest of the bike. Hoping to get the big chunks cleaned off tonight and get a date off the rear hub but I'm 99.99999% sure it's a '77.
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Those look to be the same length as the sets I have. I also have a set of nice older BMX caliper brakes that might work, I had used them when I swapped 26 inch wheels onto a 27" road bike frame. I also have some Shimano calipers with pretty long reach that might work. Thanks for the picture, that's a big help, I'll have to dig mine out and see which ones will work the best.
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Yes, although sometimes I wish for a gear between 2 and 3. I just put a Cateye on my mixte AW conversion so I have a better idea now of its performance. (Not to mention my own.) I spin out in 2nd at 18 to 20 mph. It doesn't outweigh the AW's practicality, but the upshift to 3rd from there is a big jump.
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I think your answer is the S5. Especially if it's a more sporty build. The medium range mode works great for a scorcher/club bike plus you get a granny and a super tall top gear in wide range mode. I really like these hubs.
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Hi All, I’ve got 2 Sturmey Archer front dynamo hubs that I’ve overhauled & they work. Do you think if I posted them for sale in the classified section anyone here would be interested? I think 1 is from the 40’s and one from the ‘50’s.
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@BigChief
Hope your knee is healing well! Bummer to have nice 3 speeds to ride and not being able to.
Hope your knee is healing well! Bummer to have nice 3 speeds to ride and not being able to.
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@BigChief
Hope your knee is healing well! Bummer to have nice 3 speeds to ride and not being able to.
Hope your knee is healing well! Bummer to have nice 3 speeds to ride and not being able to.
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About the knees, I sympathize. I've had no more than occasional twinges but it's alarming when they happen. It never occurred to me they are such a focus of a person's physical destiny.
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The 33% jump from Normal/2 to High/3 is a big jump, but I just got used to it. I tend to just sit back a bit and spin in Normal/2 when the terrain falls between the gears.
Crank is below - Williams.
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The theory is that what we call "spinning" was considered undignified, unless you were racing. So the AW was geared to support a nice, slow cadence keeping reasonable speeds. Walking the bike up a hill was perfectly acceptable.
I belong to a small-but-growing group who like the 21 and 22t cogs, turning 3rd (or High) gear into our cruising gear. 2nd is for headwinds, and the robust low gear is for hills. That seems to work best for the `Tour. We are only missing out on the higher speeds going down hill, but everyone knows that that is when a gentleman rests, and lets gravity do the work.
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Hopefully not too silly a question. My wife stands 4'8" in her stocking'd feet. She wants an older english style 3 speed to ride with me on mine. So far in my searches I have found two. A couple years ago I found a Gazelle Piet Pelle laser. 24 x 1 3/8 tires, single speed. It fits her well, but weighs a figurative ton! Needless to say, she hasn't ridden it much. I also found a 5 speed something or other (I forget the name), but upon getting it, it weighs more than the Gazelle! What I am wanting to know is, are there any others out there that don't weigh 45 pounds empty? All of her bikes have the 24 inch wheels, so I know options are limited, but it's what she would like. She has tried small framed modern bikes, but doesn't like them much. She says they're out of proportion. Ha! Anyhoo, suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!
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Have you both considered the Raleigh Twenty models? They do weigh but can be lightened. Size would be perfect for both
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I think the 22 rear and 48 front is a good combo. I coast down larger hills. We don't have much in the way of flat area here, so you need some time to rest for the next climb.
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This is a topic that comes up a lot at meetings of the Gentlemen Cyclists, and the Lake Pepin 3-Speed Tour in particular.
The theory is that what we call "spinning" was considered undignified, unless you were racing. So the AW was geared to support a nice, slow cadence keeping reasonable speeds. Walking the bike up a hill was perfectly acceptable.
I belong to a small-but-growing group who like the 21 and 22t cogs, turning 3rd (or High) gear into our cruising gear. 2nd is for headwinds, and the robust low gear is for hills. That seems to work best for the `Tour. We are only missing out on the higher speeds going down hill, but everyone knows that that is when a gentleman rests, and lets gravity do the work.
The theory is that what we call "spinning" was considered undignified, unless you were racing. So the AW was geared to support a nice, slow cadence keeping reasonable speeds. Walking the bike up a hill was perfectly acceptable.
I belong to a small-but-growing group who like the 21 and 22t cogs, turning 3rd (or High) gear into our cruising gear. 2nd is for headwinds, and the robust low gear is for hills. That seems to work best for the `Tour. We are only missing out on the higher speeds going down hill, but everyone knows that that is when a gentleman rests, and lets gravity do the work.
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Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
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Found this little gem recently. It should accent my '53 Rudge Sport rather well. I guess no vintage english vehicle should be without something Lucas!
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Hopefully not too silly a question. My wife stands 4'8" in her stocking'd feet. She wants an older english style 3 speed to ride with me on mine. So far in my searches I have found two. A couple years ago I found a Gazelle Piet Pelle laser. 24 x 1 3/8 tires, single speed. It fits her well, but weighs a figurative ton! Needless to say, she hasn't ridden it much. I also found a 5 speed something or other (I forget the name), but upon getting it, it weighs more than the Gazelle! What I am wanting to know is, are there any others out there that don't weigh 45 pounds empty? All of her bikes have the 24 inch wheels, so I know options are limited, but it's what she would like. She has tried small framed modern bikes, but doesn't like them much. She says they're out of proportion. Ha! Anyhoo, suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Her legs were too long once she got to about 5 feet tall, so she has a 19 1/2 Dunelt now. I was going to sell this bike, but the howling from my wife and daughter stopped me.
Not sure of the weight, but I can check. It's not exactly light, but it's not 45 pounds, either. One of these may work for your wife.
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Hopefully not too silly a question. My wife stands 4'8" in her stocking'd feet. She wants an older english style 3 speed to ride with me on mine. So far in my searches I have found two. A couple years ago I found a Gazelle Piet Pelle laser. 24 x 1 3/8 tires, single speed. It fits her well, but weighs a figurative ton! Needless to say, she hasn't ridden it much. I also found a 5 speed something or other (I forget the name), but upon getting it, it weighs more than the Gazelle! What I am wanting to know is, are there any others out there that don't weigh 45 pounds empty? All of her bikes have the 24 inch wheels, so I know options are limited, but it's what she would like. She has tried small framed modern bikes, but doesn't like them much. She says they're out of proportion. Ha! Anyhoo, suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Senior Member
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Hopefully not too silly a question. My wife stands 4'8" in her stocking'd feet. She wants an older english style 3 speed to ride with me on mine. So far in my searches I have found two. A couple years ago I found a Gazelle Piet Pelle laser. 24 x 1 3/8 tires, single speed. It fits her well, but weighs a figurative ton! Needless to say, she hasn't ridden it much. I also found a 5 speed something or other (I forget the name), but upon getting it, it weighs more than the Gazelle! What I am wanting to know is, are there any others out there that don't weigh 45 pounds empty? All of her bikes have the 24 inch wheels, so I know options are limited, but it's what she would like. She has tried small framed modern bikes, but doesn't like them much. She says they're out of proportion. Ha! Anyhoo, suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!
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3speedslow,
thank you for that idea! After showing her several examples, she reminded me she already has a folding bike.... Oh well...
Gna,
She told me that bike exactly the style she is looking for. Which means for me, I now know a name to start my searches anew. Thank you for giving me another avenue to explore! Here's to being hopeful for fruition!
Thank you gentlemen!
thank you for that idea! After showing her several examples, she reminded me she already has a folding bike.... Oh well...
Gna,
She told me that bike exactly the style she is looking for. Which means for me, I now know a name to start my searches anew. Thank you for giving me another avenue to explore! Here's to being hopeful for fruition!
Thank you gentlemen!
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Finally got to give the LTD-3 a better look and hosed the worst of the grime off it. Date on the AW is "77" so no more doubt about it's age. A little touch up and a coat or 2 of clear and the paint will look pretty good. I aired up the tires and with full pressure they don't look so great so new rubber is top on the list. I fiddled with the shifter and did get all 3 gears at one time or another just not in any particular order LOL but the hub felt good. Different stem and bars are a high priority as well along with a taller seat post. The original saddle is crumbling as I write, planned to replace it with a B-67 anyway. Rust on the rims is worse than I thought but I'll do what I can with them. Might be time to jump into the exciting world of home wheel building. Bottom line is that I like it and will be keeping it.
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Bikes are okay, I guess.
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Hopefully not too silly a question. My wife stands 4'8" in her stocking'd feet. She wants an older english style 3 speed to ride with me on mine. So far in my searches I have found two. A couple years ago I found a Gazelle Piet Pelle laser. 24 x 1 3/8 tires, single speed. It fits her well, but weighs a figurative ton! Needless to say, she hasn't ridden it much. I also found a 5 speed something or other (I forget the name), but upon getting it, it weighs more than the Gazelle! What I am wanting to know is, are there any others out there that don't weigh 45 pounds empty? All of her bikes have the 24 inch wheels, so I know options are limited, but it's what she would like. She has tried small framed modern bikes, but doesn't like them much. She says they're out of proportion. Ha! Anyhoo, suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Last edited by thumpism; 06-28-19 at 08:54 PM.
Count Orlok Member
3speedslow,
thank you for that idea! After showing her several examples, she reminded me she already has a folding bike.... Oh well...
Gna,
She told me that bike exactly the style she is looking for. Which means for me, I now know a name to start my searches anew. Thank you for giving me another avenue to explore! Here's to being hopeful for fruition!
Thank you gentlemen!
thank you for that idea! After showing her several examples, she reminded me she already has a folding bike.... Oh well...
Gna,
She told me that bike exactly the style she is looking for. Which means for me, I now know a name to start my searches anew. Thank you for giving me another avenue to explore! Here's to being hopeful for fruition!
Thank you gentlemen!
I found girl's Colt in Iowa on eBay with a more reasonable price: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Ral...-/123702274328
My friends at MMRB had a girl's Space Rider a few months ago; I could see if it's still there.
Where in KS are you?
Last edited by gna; 06-28-19 at 09:09 PM.