Sturmey-Archer

[Drmojo]

OK
For bike industry types, tech folk, lovers of simplicity, England, and bikes: I am curious.
for a company founded in 1902, with years of hub making prowess (among many other cycling products) why are they relegated to the dustbin of cycling history? Why are so few bikes sold with their products here in the U.S.?
I know their production moved to Taiwan recently.
I know many bikes in Europe have Sturmey parts
I know they appear to be commuter or utility bike oriented.
But several products intrigue me:
3 speed fixed hub (my pal has it raves about it)
2 speed kick back shifting hub
drum brake hubs
drum/dynamo combo front hub (such a great concept)
coaster brake hubs

Felt does make the York model
mini porteur bike with Sturmey 2 speed kick shift
but this is only bike from a big company that I could find with a single Sturmey part
I miss my pal Sheldon at times like this.
any insight or experience with their products is welcome
thanks
mojo

[danman]

On my winter bike, single speed with fenders, I switched from single speed to the Sturmey-Archer 2 speed. Works great in area around Bethel, Ct. Can't go that fast in winter anyway. Running 48 X 23. Top gear is 38% higher.

[Peter B]

They'll be all the rage as soon as they come out with a carbon-hubbed version that wins a tour stage....:fight:

[Stephen2014]

One of my bikes is a singlespeed with hub brakes.

[Drmojo]

One of my bikes is a singlespeed with hub brakes.

not sure what blog has to do with Sturmey Archer
both British?
what bike have you got with hub brakes?
how do you like them?
thanks
mojo

[Stephen2014]

The blog is my signature.

The ss bike is an ex mtb really nice to ride, sealed bearing so nice and smooth. Also got a road bike and a roadster both with front hub brakes.

[Drmojo]

brakes work well on descents?

[unterhausen]

I don't think you can give away a SA-equipped bike in the U.S., and I'm not sure about Europe. They stuck with their crappy design for a 3 speed for many years. One of my childhood memories was when my dad blew out his SA hub on his commute and went over the handlebars, his face was a mess for a while.

I have a wheel built with a SA 3 speed dynohub that I would like to use, but it just never made it to the top of the priority heap yet.

[Drmojo]

:bike:

[ceolwulf]

My understanding with regard to the three-speed hubs is that the normal one is unkillable but the coaster brake one is a very poor design.

[Drmojo]

I am looking at 2 speed coaster brake hub
back pedal slightly to shift, more to brake

[Stephen2014]

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5452/7209680294_ba71608b43_z.jpg

This is the singlespeed. No problems with descents, just the opposite, more stable than rim brakes. (Remember tandems have hub brakes fitted for descending)