Question for the Sturmey Archer Gurus: can I convert a 4-sp to a 3-sp?
12-19-10, 09:21 PM
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Question for the Sturmey Archer Gurus: can I convert a 4-sp to a 3-sp?
Okay, I don't know how to do it, but I know you can convert a four speed hub such as an FW (wide-range four speed hub) or the FG (wide range four speed hub with dynamo) to a five speed like an S5.
I know the advantage of the four - speed hub is that it works with one shifter, but the disadvantage is that that shifter is getting hard to find and wears out prematurely. I also know the disadvantage of the five speed hub is that it requires two shifters and may require parts, such as a bell crank, that are hard to find.
So, my question, is can you take a four speed hub and convert it to an ultra-wide range three speed hub? So you'd end up with a hub that has the 1, 3 and 5 gears of the five speed hub, but needs only one shifter-- the garden variety three-speed trigger?
Don't tell me I wouldn't like that, because the gears would be too widely spaced. This may be true; but that's not what I'm asking. I only want to know if it's possible. If it is possible, I'd probably run that hub with two cogs, spaced 4 teeth apart, so I'd have an ultra-wide range six-speed system.
So, esteemed Sturmey Archer gurus... what do you think?
I know the advantage of the four - speed hub is that it works with one shifter, but the disadvantage is that that shifter is getting hard to find and wears out prematurely. I also know the disadvantage of the five speed hub is that it requires two shifters and may require parts, such as a bell crank, that are hard to find.
So, my question, is can you take a four speed hub and convert it to an ultra-wide range three speed hub? So you'd end up with a hub that has the 1, 3 and 5 gears of the five speed hub, but needs only one shifter-- the garden variety three-speed trigger?
Don't tell me I wouldn't like that, because the gears would be too widely spaced. This may be true; but that's not what I'm asking. I only want to know if it's possible. If it is possible, I'd probably run that hub with two cogs, spaced 4 teeth apart, so I'd have an ultra-wide range six-speed system.
So, esteemed Sturmey Archer gurus... what do you think?
12-19-10, 09:47 PM
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If you've got a 4 speed shifter, measure the clicks, then measure again on a 3 speed shifter, or I'll measure mine and we can compare.
12-19-10, 09:55 PM
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Easy way: Block-out the shifting rod through the axle
Harder way: Get a three-speed shifter so you are only using 3 speeds (your choice, upper or lower 3)
Hardest way: pull the hub apart and monkey around...maybe take out one set of planetary gears perhaps.
Not sure it is worth the trouble.
Harder way: Get a three-speed shifter so you are only using 3 speeds (your choice, upper or lower 3)
Hardest way: pull the hub apart and monkey around...maybe take out one set of planetary gears perhaps.
Not sure it is worth the trouble.
12-20-10, 06:31 AM
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Don't tell me I wouldn't like that, because the gears would be too widely spaced. This may be true; but that's not what I'm asking. I only want to know if it's possible. If it is possible, I'd probably run that hub with two cogs, spaced 4 teeth apart, so I'd have an ultra-wide range six-speed system.
Last edited by tcs; 12-20-10 at 05:23 PM.
12-20-10, 06:44 AM
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12-20-10, 02:35 PM
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If I first do a complete teardown and rebuild of an AW, then of an FW, and maybe also of an S-5, will I learn what I need to do this conversion?
12-20-10, 05:21 PM
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I can't think of a reason it couldn't be done, which is not quite the same thing!
Here's the theory.
Here's the theory.
12-20-10, 06:13 PM
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You've probably already found this.
https://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~ha...samaintind.htm
I'm under the impression that s5/2 guts fit in an AW shell.
https://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~ha...samaintind.htm
I'm under the impression that s5/2 guts fit in an AW shell.
12-20-10, 06:42 PM
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From what I gather the conversion from 4 to 5 speed is very straight forward and you can use a Shimano 3 speed bell crank assembly on the left side. Shoot an email to Mark Stonich at BikeSmith Design, if he can't come up with an answer no one can.
Edit: I would want more gears and range not less...
Aaron
Edit: I would want more gears and range not less...
Aaron
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
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Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Last edited by wahoonc; 12-20-10 at 08:37 PM.
12-20-10, 08:19 PM
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I've converted an FW to a fixed gear 3 speed and it was fairly straight forward but ended up with a narrow range hub. I've discussed what you are thinking with Mark Stonich a couple years ago but as I'm suffering from Old Timers at the moment I can't recall how it went. But as Aaron said, if mark can't come up with it, no one can.
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