tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post1140753308141415191..comments2024-03-27T05:14:23.738-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: Just Three for Me! In Praise of the Humble 3-SpeedVelouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-74356434572496448082015-11-02T13:34:14.314-05:002015-11-02T13:34:14.314-05:00I have been getting around almost exclusively by b...I have been getting around almost exclusively by bike for a couple years now, and I used a simple 3-speed steel bike. Three speeds have been plenty for me. I recently carried 55 pounds of groceries 3.5 miles home from the store (including going up and down a few highway overpass ramps), and the gear range was fine for me. (Granted, I'm a younger guy with healthy legs, but it sounds like you won't be carrying groceries, so you won't have to worry about heavy loads.)<br /><br />Most of the time I'm just commuting to work or around town, and I REALLY appreciate the simplicity of only having 3 gears to think about. Sure, there are times when more gears would be nice, but I'd rather have a simpler hub that is going to last longer than a complicated one more prone to failure (and more expensive to repair). Just my two cents' worth. :)DChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12202721252051592336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-62257527456386050192015-09-25T16:23:45.106-04:002015-09-25T16:23:45.106-04:00I work in a bike shop now and we always tell peopl...I work in a bike shop now and we always tell people that if you have the choice between 3 and 7 or 8 speeds, go for the 7- or 8-speed. It isn't the number of gears, it's that on most three-speeds they are so far apart. <br /><br />Imagine if you had a volume control on your phone but only had three options (besides off): low, like a whisper; medium, like talking; and loud, like shouting at the top of your voice. Most of the time medium would do, but if you were in a busy place you might want it to be louder, but not as loud as shouting. You'd want more in-between options. <br /><br />That's what you get with more gears. If you are going up and down different hills, more gears lets you get just the right amount of resistance that you can still feel yourself putting some effort in instead of your legs just going round for nothing, but it's still easy enough that you don't have to to get off and push.<br /><br />I have 18 gears on my bike, but I only ever use about 8 of them, and even then most of the time I hover around the lower middle ones. I do live in a hilly place (York, England) but even when I lived in a flatter place I used the same gears because there are winds and different road surfaces, and days when you feel faster or slower. Some people like having one or three gears, but personally, I wouldn't want any fewer than seven speeds. I hope that helps. :)SWBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09405842770477473159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-84312397412867731882015-09-24T14:55:26.468-04:002015-09-24T14:55:26.468-04:00I am just learning how to ride a bike and am consi...I am just learning how to ride a bike and am considering buying a Citizen 3-speed 20" alloy folding bike. My BF thinks 3 gears are not enough. I have no intention of climbing a mountain on my bike. I just want to enjoy the ride without giving too much thought to shifting. Would someone please explain in plain English what speed bike would be better for me and why. Thank you.newbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11620437481463432333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-23802812538173372342015-08-27T12:45:55.599-04:002015-08-27T12:45:55.599-04:00To better compare and visualize the various gear r...To better compare and visualize the various gear ranges it can be done by using Gear Inches (GI). Example: A S-A three speed hub. The middle gear is direct drive and the wheels are 26". Divide the number of teeth of the rear sprocket into the chainring's # of teeth. The sum is the ratio number. Multiply the ratio number by the wheel diameter. Now, the final number is the "gear in inches" (Gear Inches). For first gear the GI is 25% smaller and third gear is 33% bigger. Use math to find the GI range from low gear to high gear. Many "ten speed" bike have a GI range of 34" to 102". A three speed's gear range can be modified by changing the size of the chainring and/or the hub's sprocket.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-62550448180198558372015-07-29T14:54:11.864-04:002015-07-29T14:54:11.864-04:0030 to 55 gear inches for a 3 speed hub? Really?? Y...30 to 55 gear inches for a 3 speed hub? Really?? You must be using an unfeasibly tiny ring at the front and/or an absolutely massive one at the back! It's usually more like 45 to 85!Mike Perlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02216907706442492212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-4638656370276373752015-06-13T22:43:35.228-04:002015-06-13T22:43:35.228-04:00I have a question. I bought a bike for weekend bik...I have a question. I bought a bike for weekend biking around Williamsburg/Brooklyn. I haven't decided if I am going to go over the bridges yet. I got the Linus mixte 3 and after reading all this I am left a little more than confused. Did I make a mistake? Should I have gone for mixte 8? (8 speed/gear)? Sorry I am new to biking.Sush15noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-47263273252751140992015-04-05T04:00:17.135-04:002015-04-05T04:00:17.135-04:00I commute daily on a 2 speed SRAM automatix fitted...I commute daily on a 2 speed SRAM automatix fitted in a 700c x 23 wheel with the change point adjusted to allow me to spin in low. Its great not having to think about changing gear and its proven reliable. Its running 60 gear inches in low, 82 in high.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-88791635920876718552014-12-28T09:43:25.984-05:002014-12-28T09:43:25.984-05:00' if you have a bike with 6 gears, is it like...' if you have a bike with 6 gears, is it like a 3-speed with half-stops in between?'<br />A 6 speed is more like a 3 speed with 2/3-stops in between, along with an extra lower gear and 2 higher gears..... <br /><br />'Would gear 4 on a 6-speed be like gear 2 on a 3-speed?'<br />Yes, middle gears 3 or 4 on a 6 speed should be very similar to middle gear 2 on a 3 speed.<br /><br />Welcome to the wonderful world of bicycling btw.<br />I've been into bikes for 45 years and I am still excited by them.<br />Along with the internet, may I suggest you also drop into a local bike shop when they are not too busy, and ask more questions like that. <br />Hopefully there will be a bicycle enthusiast on duty who will discuss your situation and interests, and maybe start you on a lifetime passion for biking. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-13486363550541900562014-08-31T11:40:49.276-04:002014-08-31T11:40:49.276-04:00I'm a new cyclist, and I'm wondering about...I'm a new cyclist, and I'm wondering about gears. My question is: if you have a bike with 6 gears, is it like a 3-speed with half-stops in between? I.e. Would gear 4 on a 6-speed be like gear 2 on a 3-speed?SWBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09405842770477473159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-60897220669609964712014-06-05T11:44:16.412-04:002014-06-05T11:44:16.412-04:00That's very impressive! 3speeds are the most e...That's very impressive! 3speeds are the most efficient igh hubs since they only have 1 set of planetary gears. If one can live with 3 speeds they truly are a simple joy.<br /><br />Gary SkribaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-89245573086108897672014-01-16T17:37:20.686-05:002014-01-16T17:37:20.686-05:00I just bought a Globe Daily 3 and I completely agr...I just bought a Globe Daily 3 and I completely agree about the gearing. The crank is too large (or the rear cog is too small) for the Shimano Nexus 7 speed hub. The highest/hardest gears are *way* too aggressive for 99.99% of city cycling. I don't know what the designers were thinking. Otherwise, I like the bike, so I may try to change out the crank chainring or the rear cog to improve the gear ratio and provide more mechanical advantage on hills, but they're so integrated into the bicycle that this might be difficult. Jaystockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17078803026591979495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-61099231081354590152012-10-07T17:50:18.996-04:002012-10-07T17:50:18.996-04:00Hi I'm kinda 2 years late to this blog. I have...Hi I'm kinda 2 years late to this blog. I have a Batavus with Nuvinci hub and after two years ownership I really wished I'd gone original Batavus 3-speed. Couldn't agree more with the comments. Living large city on the Great Lakes and thanks to the last ice age ride in to work is all downhill. Ride home is uphill. A heavy and upright Dutch bike is not best suited to this kind of commute. I've had issues with the hub cables and rear spoke breakage. I feel they're related. The spokes not only handle 2/3 the weight of the rider but also hub torque.<br /><br />I agree simpler is better.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-22865914719992725932012-01-26T10:34:59.810-05:002012-01-26T10:34:59.810-05:00@ KFG....who are you! What is your blog? Mr. Know ...@ KFG....who are you! What is your blog? Mr. Know it all!!!! Well, I've said it and want to just make the point that you do have a wide knowledge on a variety of subjects and are entertaining. You have popped up on this and copenhagenize. Where else can I find your witty commentary?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07693860977012039705noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-19645186030293861092011-10-23T03:29:06.940-04:002011-10-23T03:29:06.940-04:00i laced a shimano 3 speed into an old clunker to r...i laced a shimano 3 speed into an old clunker to ride to work years ago. gave me the range i needed and simplified my bike heaps. good thing .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-70950583258087852732011-10-02T18:46:02.707-04:002011-10-02T18:46:02.707-04:00I recently bought a 2011 Raleigh Detour Deluxe wit...I recently bought a 2011 Raleigh Detour Deluxe with the Nexus 8 IGH. I agree that for the most part, a 3-speed Sturmey Archer would be just fine. But before I bought my bike, I had a 1969 Raleigh Superbe that I thought I was going to be able to use for commuting. I did a mechanical restoration of this bike and rode it all over town for weeks. I absolutely loved it. But, I tried to use it to commute, and ran into trouble. Granted, this bike had a 48T chain ring instead of the usual 46, but even so I found that I could not get up the long bike lane on the Gold Star Bridge (between Groton and New London, CT) even in 1st gear when carrying my laptop, clothing and lunch. I considered swapping out the chain ring and rear cog, but then the top end would have been too low. So, I bought this new bike and it's been working out great. True, i can't seem to spin any faster than 24 MPH, but it's a commuter, not a racing bike.NewLondonBikerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11165093098979421210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-6980878388752088222011-06-04T15:34:20.954-04:002011-06-04T15:34:20.954-04:00This is a really interesting thread. I've got ...This is a really interesting thread. I've got a 21 speed derailleur trekking bike which I use daily and I'm getting fed up with the fragile, fiddly, temperamental nature of derailleurs. So I am considering getting a hub gear bike instead.<br /><br />But here's the debate... do I get a 3, 7 or 8 speed? The 3 speed appeals because of its innate simplicity -- there's a robust minimalism to it. The maths has an elegance to it too – you change up by a third and down by a quarter. The 7 and 8 speeds would have more range, though, and I do live in a hilly area (in Kent, South-Eastern England). <br /><br />When in London I've recently been hiring the Transport for London Cycle Hire bikes, aka "Boris Bikes". They are 3 speed, but low geared, because of the larger rear sprocket. They cope just fine in flat Central London and I really did like the simplicity of the 3 speed set up. <br /><br />However, before committing, I wanted to see how I could get on with three speeds in the hillier terrain just south of Maidstone, where I do most of my riding. A few calculations showed me that the standard 38 front teeth and 18 rear teeth on a bike with a 3 speed Nexus would equate (roughly) to riding on my derailleur bike with only the 2nd chainring, and only using 1st, 4th and 7th gears on that ring. So I've been trying this for the last few days and to my surprise I've coped just fine with only those options. This afternoon I went for a 9 mile ride out in the country and found I enjoyed taking things at a steady pace and going with the bike just as it was, rather than trying to force more power out with the intermediate gears. <br /><br />I tried a 16% gradient (about 1 in 6) and I got off and walked pretty soon! Even in the lowest gear on my 21 speed I know I would have struggled -- but would have probably stayed on and done the hill on two wheels. But why not get off and walk when it gets too steep? Who said you had to fight and struggle? It’s actually liberating to have fewer options. <br /><br />And so the more I think about it, the more I am with the “three-speed” camp. Not sure yet what I’ll get but it will almost certainly be something Dutch – probably a modern style city bike.<br /><br />Love the blog, btw. Those bikes are real beauties.Danny1962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-90070053947146529052010-12-22T03:50:09.402-05:002010-12-22T03:50:09.402-05:00I agree with Velouria here.
I've had two 3-sp...I agree with Velouria here.<br /><br />I've had two 3-speeds in the past (and will have 2 more soon!) and found them perfectly adequate for around-town riding. I was in "2" about 90%-95% of the time, only switching to 1 on steep enough hills and 3 on downhills/powering through flats. While Portland ain't no SF/Seattle/Pittsburgh in hilliness, it ain't totally flat either, and I would use these three speed bikes to get up Mount Tabor frequently (grades 5%-10%, depending on how you attacked it.)<br /><br />I can understand if one's commute is hilly, really long, or if knees aren't what they used to be. But a 3-speed is totally viable for getting around town. For touring and longer rides, that's when I hop on the LHT.adventure!https://www.blogger.com/profile/11840448827760637569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-57091515735973870922010-12-08T22:24:20.861-05:002010-12-08T22:24:20.861-05:00I considered Torker when I was first shopping for ...I considered Torker when I was first shopping for bikes. There were a few interesting commuter step-throughs (similar to the Cargo-T, but not as hard core) with chaincases that I tired. Didn't like; they just felt cheap and had weird features I didn't need (suspension on the fork??) while lacking features I did need (lights). The Cargo-T is the bike I like best on their current line-up, though I have not ridden it.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-55307425073164549402010-12-08T22:15:53.821-05:002010-12-08T22:15:53.821-05:00The Torker has no front brake though - yikes!The Torker has no front brake though - yikes!samuel chilboltonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-52082618317005774532010-12-08T14:49:01.316-05:002010-12-08T14:49:01.316-05:00I've already got a Redline 925, so all I need ...I've already got a Redline 925, so all I need to do is build up a wheel to have a "premium" version of the Torker.<br /><br />That's one I'll no doubt be recommending to others though. I keep me eye on Torker. They're doing interesting stuff and delivering it at the most bang for the buck.kfgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-13513220196407885232010-12-08T13:59:33.879-05:002010-12-08T13:59:33.879-05:00@kfg & Phil Miller -- if you like 2 speed kick...@kfg & Phil Miller -- if you like 2 speed kickback bikes, you might want to check out the new 2011 Torker KB2:<br /><br />http://www.torkerusa.com/bikes/commuter-life/2011-kb2-<br /><br />Looks interesting!Cycling For Beginnershttp://www.cyclingforbeginners.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-16000974448293060022010-12-07T16:07:43.753-05:002010-12-07T16:07:43.753-05:00@MDI
My daily commuter is similar to what you desc...@MDI<br />My daily commuter is similar to what you describe. The bike is a late 80s Japanese sport tourer and the hub is a '74 Sturmey Archer AW.I chose the gearing for speed with a slight concession for hill climbing, as there are few long steep hills in my area which can't be avoided. Gear inches are 50ish, 70ish and mid 90's, which neither leaves me walking up hills nor wishing for a taller gear to push. While I have never weighed the bike, my sense is that the weight was reduced slightly during the conversion when the "extra" gears and chain were removed along with the two derailers and shifters. The result might have been different if the bicycle had started with lightweight components, but mine began with heavy, low quality stuff. <br /><br />The original aim was to see if I would like a bicycle with hub gears, but the balance of speed, reliability, easy maintenance, simplicity and tolerance to outright neglect has me thinking that I might just keep this one for a while.Cafn8https://www.blogger.com/profile/12823570445012150263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-77136724093704741702010-12-07T13:54:34.409-05:002010-12-07T13:54:34.409-05:00The two speed kickback has to be about the most un...The two speed kickback has to be about the most under-revered bit of bicycle kit in history and the Bendix red band is high on my list Things I Hope to Find at a Flea Market.<br /><br />In the meantime Sunrace is making them again in a "blue band" version (low is direct, high is overdriven; the opposite of the red band). Unfortunately the coaster brake version is 120 spaced only, so it won't fit older or traditionally spaced single speed frames.kfgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-22379193301721014352010-12-07T12:33:58.444-05:002010-12-07T12:33:58.444-05:00When I was a kid I had a sting-ray with a 2-speed ...When I was a kid I had a sting-ray with a 2-speed kick-shift hub with a coaster brake. You didn't need a shifter cable. You didn't need a back brake. My brothers had them too. We rode them from dawn to after dusk for years, very reliable. Build a lightweight cycle around that hub for a simple commuter.Phil Millernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-39464593854748073362010-12-07T12:29:47.868-05:002010-12-07T12:29:47.868-05:00My commute bikes are a single speed with flip-flop...My commute bikes are a single speed with flip-flop rear wheel (16,18) and a fendered 1x5. The 1x5 gets pure chain alignment right over the middle rear sprocket. I shift +/- one. So effectively it's a 3 speed, but a close ratio one. I can clean the freewheel, oil it, inspect it and generally stay on top of it better than an IGH. But if I had the road salt and freezing temps that most have, and if I were to RIDE them, I'd probably go with an IG hub.Phil Millernoreply@blogger.com