tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post3160457008082281728..comments2024-03-18T08:41:35.438-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: Duomatic on the Danube: the Sturmey Archer 2-Speed Kick Shift HubVelouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-20458997049643503082012-08-25T22:26:00.507-04:002012-08-25T22:26:00.507-04:00I've a Vanmoof which has the S2C and when it w...I've a Vanmoof which has the S2C and when it works it is just brilliant. However after a few months mine also had the problem of not shifting gears, usually shifting from high to low would not work. Vanmoof dealer was great and gave me a brand new wheel but unfortunately that one eventually had the same problem and I'm now onto my third wheel/hub. My one year warranty on my bike is about to expire so I'm hoping this one will last. My riding was fairly modest, 50km/week along bike tracks to work and back so I'm not sure what causes this problem. My theory is that the brake engages too soon and thus preventing the degree of back pedal needed to change gear. Pity, it is an excellent hub when it works. It anyone has a fix please let me know.IANhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14977294413981231377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-27591711381060127762012-08-06T07:23:59.837-04:002012-08-06T07:23:59.837-04:00S2c lasted me aprox 2500km's. I was riding it ...S2c lasted me aprox 2500km's. I was riding it daily, even in -25 degrees celsius, in salty snow, heavy rains... <br />Before that I did 2000km on original Sachs duomatic... S2C has better brakes, no question about that. But, as someone metioned, to kick shift pedal movement is much shorter than on old duomatic. That was very annoying while I got used to that.<br />First surprize was that bearing adjustment came very loose at around 100km. Axle nuts was tight, so, bearing races had settled down. Readjusted.<br />Next problem was that when you stopped, pushed pedals back to cause shift and after push bike back, hub was locking totaly- wheel didn't turn at all. Only after heavy kicking to pedals I could get out of that... Seems that both gears where engaged somehow in same time.<br />After ~2000kms hub needed bearing readjustment again, now much less. In winter I started to face problem that gears where not switching anymore- I could kick 10 times to get gear changed. This was not very related to temperature and in beginning of summer I have to go back to original Sachs Duomatic, which works like charm...<br /><br />In general seems that built quality is not very good. I have not yet disassembled this hub to see that went wrong... But many other user's of newer Sturmey hubs had similar conclusion.<br /><br />Now thinking to try SRAM automatic. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-4054860449388172312012-02-12T08:42:12.311-05:002012-02-12T08:42:12.311-05:00If you don't like the kick-back for shifting, ...If you don't like the kick-back for shifting, SRAM have released the "automatic" version of this hub. The centrifugal force of the spinning hub causes it to automatically shift between high and low gears at certain speeds. This prevents the problem of unintentional gear shifts.<br /><br />The intention of the original duomatic design was that you would use low gear to get started off and shift up for most riding. You would then brake and at the same time downshift, ready to re-start.<br /><br />I recently bought a vintage Dawes Kingpin folding bicycle and I plan to use this hub when I finally get it in my hands and rebuild it!Martin Hartleyhttp://raleightwenty.webs.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-42327310675986986242011-10-25T06:50:34.496-04:002011-10-25T06:50:34.496-04:00as a result of this review I clicked thru the Bell...as a result of this review I clicked thru the Bella Caio ad and then to the UK distributor and now I find myself coveting an £1100 bicycle that I cannot begin to afford....I did not need this!Don McMahanhttp://www.softirishrain.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-79823297814336656242011-10-21T00:18:06.705-04:002011-10-21T00:18:06.705-04:00Velouria, this is another factory take on the them...Velouria, this is another factory take on the theme. I think you could call it a "cheater fixie." It's gotten some good reviews.<br /><br />http://www.torkerusa.com/bikes/commute--recreation/2012-kb2-<br /><br />Also, the Worksman "light duty/Dutchie" cruisers have a choice of hubs, including the S2C,<br /><br />http://worksmancycles.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/page63.html<br /><br />I've been researching this hub for about a year. I keep toying with the idea of installing one on my Trek cruiser. Someone above mentioned that it would be great for Brooklyn; I agree.<br /><br />What's funny about this is that I'm used to the coaster brake on my Trek; very natural to use. But I also have an old Schwinn Speedster with an SA-AW 3-speed. Being an AW, it does balk some at shifting under load. I've found that best way to shift on the move is to back off the torque between shifts by (you guessed it) a slight backpedal. This has also become completely natural, so I figure the S2 or S2C would be a fairly painless transition.<br /><br />By the way, the S3X hub doesn't have to be used as a fixed gear drivetrain, so you may want to take another look at that set-up. It has a driver to which you can attach a freewheel cog:<br /><br />http://www.sturmey-archer.com/products/hubs/cid/3/id/47<br /><br />It does have a slightly narrower range than the classic AW, and the gearing changes in the "wrong" direction. I think the S3X steps down from direct high in third gear to two lower gears. A freewheel equipped S3X is probably a good option for those who ride in hilly areas, but still want a top gear high enough to make speed when things flatten out.<br /><br />A Mercier Kilo TT or Windsor The Hour, etc., with North Road bars and an S2C hub would be a VERY interesting set-up. And there is the existing Kilo TT S3X: Add a freewheel to the hub and you have a lightweight (and, possibly, very swift) 3-speed. <br /><br />(Insert mad scientist's cackle here): One of these days...<br /><br />RudyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-55857381548133870152011-10-20T20:07:55.617-04:002011-10-20T20:07:55.617-04:00My great LBS in San Francisco carries Pashley (whe...My great LBS in San Francisco carries Pashley (where I got my own Guv'nor, which I mostly love) and they were telling me they encountered some serious defects in the Taiwanese made Sturmey Archer kickback hub. Apparently a loyal customer bought a Duomatic-equipped Guv'nor. The Duomatic broke shortly after the purchase. They replaced it with a new one. It too broke. A third one failed before they somehow acquired an English-made one, and Bob's your uncle! No problems since.<br /><br />There may be various morals to this story, but one of them may be that paying $1700 for the simplicity of an anachronistic two-speed coaster brake bicycle may not be so simple. Another may be, "buy English when you buy English."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-45747719511303451872011-10-20T18:28:19.790-04:002011-10-20T18:28:19.790-04:00they have been used on detatchable bikes a lot in ...they have been used on detatchable bikes a lot in the past.I`ve got several, on such bikes and just as a hub waiting to be built into a project. Been thinking of a two speed folder, only one front brake cable. I wonder if any of them can be built into a newer alu shell? A bit hilly around here for two speeds. Could it work with belt drive to be really light?<br />badmotherAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-67527025271802040252011-10-19T19:35:20.490-04:002011-10-19T19:35:20.490-04:00"folding bike... not having shifter cables me...<i>"folding bike... not having shifter cables meant that the frame could be split in two with nothing to disconnect."</i><br /><br />Of course! I hadn't even considered that angle.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-50458665541235920902011-10-19T19:12:36.031-04:002011-10-19T19:12:36.031-04:00Steve A - I don't think I'd want the S3X o...Steve A - I don't think I'd want the S3X on one of my bikes; I'd prefer either fixed single speed or 3-speed freewheel. It was fun to try, but I didn't feel it was for me. <br /><br />Anon 6:27 - In a variety of ways from cable locks, to u-locks, to freestanding but locked to itself, to nothing. And you don't typically see the really heavy chains that you see in Amsterdam. <br /><br />Frits - Thanks for the links!Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-19099780678734629672011-10-19T18:27:36.606-04:002011-10-19T18:27:36.606-04:00Can you generalize as to how people lock or otherw...Can you generalize as to how people lock or otherwise secure their bikes in Vienna?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-15496618348765212562011-10-19T16:51:31.151-04:002011-10-19T16:51:31.151-04:00Oh, and the late Sheldon Brown has a list:
http://...Oh, and the late Sheldon Brown has a list:<br />http://www.sheldonbrown.com/sturmey-archer.htmlFrits Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11399632570565541892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-28119534841514085212011-10-19T16:49:19.373-04:002011-10-19T16:49:19.373-04:00Look no further:
http://www.sturmey-archer.com/pr...Look no further: <br />http://www.sturmey-archer.com/products/hubs/cid/7/id/57<br />S2 Duomatic with freewheel<br />S2C and B2C Duomatic with coaster brakeFrits Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11399632570565541892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-4265768161455810652011-10-19T16:39:23.933-04:002011-10-19T16:39:23.933-04:00the coaster brake version is the S2C, the no brake...the coaster brake version is the S2C, the no brake is the S2 they are both direct drive in low and +135% in high. several years ago they made one that was the other way around, direct in high and geared down in low. the hub several people referred to from the 60s was the Bendix 2 speed coaster brake. I think the S2 would be brilliant as the basis of a flip-flop hub, fixed on one side and 2 speed freewheel on the other.Don McMahanhttp://www.softirishrain.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-15919611458411117692011-10-19T16:30:02.766-04:002011-10-19T16:30:02.766-04:00It might be interesting to compare and contrast th...It might be interesting to compare and contrast the Swiss-made <a href="http://www.schlumpf.ch/hp/schlumpf/antriebe_engl.htm" rel="nofollow"> Schlumpf Mountain Drive</a> which offers two speeds (direct and 2.65 reduction), but sits where the bottom bracket normally is. It's reputed to be strong like bear and quite efficient in direct drive.<br /><br /> I think that you change gears by clicking your heel against a button in the center of the chain wheel. Didn't Dorothy have to click her heels to accomplish something in the <i>Wizard of Oz</i>?<br /><br /><br /><br />It very pricy, maybe $600 in the aftermarket, but possibly more reasonable if OEMed with the bike. Strida offered a belt drive version on their little folder and might still.tomthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11818436306828130892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-23239154872210402852011-10-19T15:52:15.460-04:002011-10-19T15:52:15.460-04:00Yes V., the non-coaster version of this hub does e...Yes V., the non-coaster version of this hub does exist. I even mentioned it in a comment here a few days ago and wondered why you didn't catch it.<br /><br />The S2 hubs come in 110 and 120mm widths and you can backpedal them like any freewheel. <br /><br />I ordered mine from Harris because the Canadian distributor only had the 110 size and I wanted the 120.<br /><br />I think the hub cost me $80.00ish and H's service was prompt.frozen prairienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-62018858684765678772011-10-19T15:38:15.159-04:002011-10-19T15:38:15.159-04:00The hub seems v interesting to me. It would be suf...The hub seems v interesting to me. It would be sufficient here in Brooklyn, too.<br /><br />How does the Neorealista compare to the Superba?neighbourteasehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17571138655370581828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-7747578760416648082011-10-19T15:32:03.172-04:002011-10-19T15:32:03.172-04:00V, I was fortunate to score a couple mint Bendix K...V, I was fortunate to score a couple mint Bendix Kickbacks around 1981 still in their original boxes. I built one up on a cruiser wheel, but it was drilled for massive thick spokes and the hub itself was a beast (STEEL) on top of that! It worked O.K. I don't recall having to re-engage the proper gear after braking as the braking action and shifting action (although seeming the same) were actually different. I could indeed ride it and brake without shifting gears (as I recall it's been 30 years) I eventually sold it off, not because it did not work well for me, but because they were so gosh darn heavy and at the time Cruiser guys would give you $160 to $200 for one in the condition that mine was! One thing I remember is that mine had a handful of extra "springs" for the internal mechanism. Apparently, going from shifting to braking to shifting rapidly would stress the internals and the mechanism spring would break, so having a ready supply of spares was a must and an added selling point! From what I have seen of the SA's they look quite a bit smaller and getting the version with no coaster brake might save quite a bit of weight!<br /><br />I am intrigued by the SA and would like to give it a spin, but in the back of my mind I still have images of the old Bendix!<br /><br />MasmojoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-19685670520675045252011-10-19T15:30:00.634-04:002011-10-19T15:30:00.634-04:00Clearly this bike needs an ashtray and I need a le...Clearly this bike needs an ashtray and I need a lesson in how to re-drink my bike coffee.Ground Round Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09103163385322185034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-18707922672954477322011-10-19T15:20:43.479-04:002011-10-19T15:20:43.479-04:00I actually like the vintage versions
(the F&S ...I actually like the vintage versions<br />(the F&S duomatic) more than the new S2C.<br />The older ones have smoother brakes and have more "backlash" - so you have to rotate the pedals further before engaging the brake or shifting gears. This suits me better.<br /><br />I have been using a 40 year old duomatic<br />on my daily bike for about 3 years, and the gear shifting is so natural I do not even think about it. The riding position is not particularly upright, but it works great for me. The bike also splits in two and has a centerstand, so that the rear of the bike stays upright while the front half is removed.<br /><br />http://tinyurl.com/33brm5j<br /><br />John Ijohnihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08034164289196863355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-24356709480778371612011-10-19T15:07:03.624-04:002011-10-19T15:07:03.624-04:00Thanks johni, will check it out.
Wait, are you pe...Thanks johni, will check it out.<br /><br />Wait, are you people saying there is a non-coaster version of this hub? So it shifts every time you backpedal a little, but doesn't brake? I need to investigate. <br /><br />Don't know very much at all about the vintage versions of this hub, but would love to try one.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-43262587920932862922011-10-19T15:05:04.998-04:002011-10-19T15:05:04.998-04:00I wrote and article about this hub
in the english ...I wrote and article about this hub<br />in the english bike magazine: Velo Vision:<br /><br />http://tinyurl.com/3emchay<br /><br />John Ijohnihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08034164289196863355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-20262097055591014502011-10-19T14:55:55.182-04:002011-10-19T14:55:55.182-04:00I actually had a wheel build up with the non-coast...I actually had a wheel build up with the non-coaster SA this summer and put on my Trek Earl, which I had used this past winter as a single-speed. I switched to an 8-speed Linus Mixte for my summer riding, but the Trek is a lot of fun to ride and even more so with the 2-speed option. Its my winter and leave-parked-in-dubious-places bike. I'm about 5 minutes faster on my commute with the 2-speed than with the 8-speed. (My commute is through Somerville and Cambridge, MA).<br />I can't ride in city traffic with a coaster brake so was really glad to be able to get the non-coaster option.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-56577557508742316682011-10-19T14:52:36.009-04:002011-10-19T14:52:36.009-04:00Anon 4:56 - Well the bikes themselves are Italian....Anon 4:56 - Well the bikes themselves are Italian. It's a classic frame design, made that way for over a century.<br /><br />Visually, Matthias actually reminds me of the Smoking Man from the X-Files, only with a sense of humor. In a good way.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-17115691724468308492011-10-19T14:13:15.666-04:002011-10-19T14:13:15.666-04:00This was a VERY interesting (and enjoyable :) ) po...This was a VERY interesting (and enjoyable :) ) post to read! I'd be eager to learn more about that SA 2 speed hub.<br /><br />See,I have this old ('50s era) CCM singlespeed I would love to restore (would that be "restify" since it would be modified a bit? :p) for a more relaxed around town rider (for like,riding with my kids,etc) than my current go-to bike (a cyclocrosser-all my other bikes being dedicated mtn bikes with 29" wheels). What had kept me from doing it,ironically* is it being a single gear (*those that know me know of my love affair with SS bikes),but a new wheel built around a SA 2 speed coaster brake hub sounds appealing!<br /><br />I'd be intersted in learning more (like where one could source them in the states,prine,etc) if you have any information on them,or know where one could find it.<br /><br />I really enjoy your blog,BTW :) Is there a way to contact you via here to give you my email address? Thanks.<br /><br />SteveAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-70479208794847994602011-10-19T12:37:28.458-04:002011-10-19T12:37:28.458-04:00I am waiting for a 28inch wheel build to arrive wi...I am waiting for a 28inch wheel build to arrive with the Sturmey hubs you mention. I'm fitting it onto my grandfather's BSA roadster and am now thoroughly excited to have a chance to try this setup out. Hope you are enjoying Vienna - the weather looks chilly but beautiful.Bad Brutehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16600285501874570967noreply@blogger.com