Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More - View Single Post - Need help/advice converting SS MTB to English 3-Speed

11-16-2004, 06:35 PM

On Tue, 16 Nov 2004 17:03:02 -0800, Lobo Tommy wrote:

> After riding a 3-speed bicycle over the weekend I simply can not go back
> to riding my single speed mountain bike. It is an entirely new experience
> - and one that fits me perfectly as a rider.
>
> Here is what I would like to do:
>

> [a bunch of hard stuff]

Get yourself a set of 26" prebuilt Shimano Nexus hub wheels. Add your
flavour of rubber. Bolt on. Run three speed shifter to bars. Add Brooks,
Fenders, bell, rubber block pedals, rack and Nitto North Road handlebars
to taste. Done. Should take two hours.

Thinking of building one myself, but I prefer basing it on 700c wheels
since they're closer to the larger size on the old Tourists. If I had a 26
inch frame I'd no doubt go your route.

Sturmey Archer hubs are neato, but I wouldn't bother building a wheel
around them unless you're really hip to the looks and the retro factor. I
think they're very handsome, but I also think Shimano hubs work
brilliantly. Something to consider at least.

I'd think about getting a set of these:
http://www.bikepartsusa.com/product_...ml?p=01-141878

It's a Shimano 7 speed internal with Alex rims. The Alex rims are cheap,
but perfectly durable for city riding, you don't need anything fancier.
Coaster brake of course.

Search around, I've seen 26" wheelsets with the 3spd shimano hub for a
hundred bucks built on servicable alloy rims.

Hmmm, rereading your post I noticed the spacing of your dropouts.
You'll need wider for the average 3spd hub, of which you're most obviously
aware, but if the frame is steel, just cold set it to a wider spacing,
it's relatively easy and fun.

No, you're not nuts btw, the humble 3 speed is the most perfect bicycle
ever conceived. Simple and practical, what's not to like. Updated with
some modern bits,it's even better.

Kudos to your decision to use rubber block pedals: they're the nicest with
street shoes.

11-16-2004, 06:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
maxo Posts: n/a	Re: Need help/advice converting SS MTB to English 3-Speed On Tue, 16 Nov 2004 17:03:02 -0800, Lobo Tommy wrote: > After riding a 3-speed bicycle over the weekend I simply can not go back > to riding my single speed mountain bike. It is an entirely new experience > - and one that fits me perfectly as a rider. > > Here is what I would like to do: > > [a bunch of hard stuff] Get yourself a set of 26" prebuilt Shimano Nexus hub wheels. Add your flavour of rubber. Bolt on. Run three speed shifter to bars. Add Brooks, Fenders, bell, rubber block pedals, rack and Nitto North Road handlebars to taste. Done. Should take two hours. Thinking of building one myself, but I prefer basing it on 700c wheels since they're closer to the larger size on the old Tourists. If I had a 26 inch frame I'd no doubt go your route. Sturmey Archer hubs are neato, but I wouldn't bother building a wheel around them unless you're really hip to the looks and the retro factor. I think they're very handsome, but I also think Shimano hubs work brilliantly. Something to consider at least. I'd think about getting a set of these: http://www.bikepartsusa.com/product_...ml?p=01-141878 It's a Shimano 7 speed internal with Alex rims. The Alex rims are cheap, but perfectly durable for city riding, you don't need anything fancier. Coaster brake of course. Search around, I've seen 26" wheelsets with the 3spd shimano hub for a hundred bucks built on servicable alloy rims. Hmmm, rereading your post I noticed the spacing of your dropouts. You'll need wider for the average 3spd hub, of which you're most obviously aware, but if the frame is steel, just cold set it to a wider spacing, it's relatively easy and fun. No, you're not nuts btw, the humble 3 speed is the most perfect bicycle ever conceived. Simple and practical, what's not to like. Updated with some modern bits,it's even better. Kudos to your decision to use rubber block pedals: they're the nicest with street shoes.