3-speeds

Rocket75377 · Post by **Rocket75377** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 7:50 am

Anyone ride a 3-speed? I've got an old Huffy Sea Pines I'm fixing up, and the internet has been less than helpful. I'd love to see some pictures of your 3-speeds, friendly advice or banter or plain old derision and hatred. Okay, ready... wait for it.... go.

Post by **mdmf007** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 8:41 am

3 speeds are perfect for the playa, you can jam across the open center fat, and go against the inevitabel winds in low gear.

later

BAS · Post by **BAS** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 10:20 am

I took my old early '80s (or maybe even late '70s) Schwinn out there, and it was/is a three speed. It worked fine, save for the fact that I found I was much less fit than I was in my teens! And that all steel bikes from that era are pretty darned heavy! (When it was loaded on the back of the other mini station wagon I swear the car sank by at least six inches!)

The only problems I had were that the seat, which was scavenged from an equally old Raleigh, kept wanting to shift from side to side. (I think that the seat post also came from the Raleigh, and is a bit too small.) The other problem was a flat on the day of the Burn, which I did not feel up to fixing so just did without the bike for the rest of the time.

One thing I should have done which I didn't was immediately clean the chain upon returning home. (I knew I should have, but was nearly dead at the time from a sinus infection/bronchitis.) It is now really rusted, and might need replacement. (I haven't tried to salvage it yet. Been too busy with other things since I noticed the problem.)

Anyway, three speeds are fine for out there. Go for it!

B.

Rocket75377 · Post by **Rocket75377** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 4:57 pm

That's reassuring. The bike is in great shape. I still want to sand and repaint it. If I can only remember how to put it back together....

Finnegan · Post by **Finnegan** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 6:57 pm

3 speeds + playa dust = 1 speed.(and you don't get to choose which)

In my experience, just starting with a 1 speed is more efficient. Fewer moving parts is better.

I'm sure that meticulous maintenance would solve this problem, but i just never seem to find the time out there..

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 8:17 pm

There are webhouses for these things.
I remember a uk site for parts for older brit 3 speed parts.
There are some very fancy internal gears now up to 7 speeds.
Those should hold up well.
SDRAM of germany is supposed to be very tough and recommended for electric conversions.

How about no chain?

http://www.dynamicbicycles.com/

If that doesn't do it for you, how about 20,000 rpm?

http://home.mira.net/%7Eiwd/index.html

http://www.22000rpm.com/

There is a sound clip in there too.

Rocket75377 · Post by **Rocket75377** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 8:53 pm

Unkl knok wrote:3 speeds + playa dust = 1 speed.(and you don't get to choose which)

I like surprises. At the moment, it actually only functions as a two-speed. Low gear? Who needs low gear?

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Fri Mar 23, 2007 9:07 pm

I strongly recommend 3M diamondstripe reflective.
This is the heavy duty stuff that is used on semi trailers.
Even out of it's proper angle it performs well.
It is very stiff when curved on a bike frame.
Truck houses sell red/white stripes.
Solid colors are available.
If enough people want some I have a source.
It starts at 1 inch wide and makes a good pinstripe on a car or truck too in silver.
There are a limited number of colors.
Fluorescent reflective orange is the brightest.
Red/silver/blue/yellow

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 5:59 am

I get dizzy riding a three-speed, especially at 78 RPM. Usually I have to stay at 33 and 1/3rd.

Elliot · Post by **Elliot** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 11:11 pm

If anybody is thinking pedal powered mutant vehicles, I can report that the old three
speed hubs are not real strong.

As for modern multi speed hubs, there is even a 15 speed called Rohloff, but it costs a
grand.

Tiahaar · Post by **Tiahaar** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 9:35 pm

Good tips on the 3-speeds. Even the Shimano site recommends their 7-8 speed nexus internal gear hubs not be used for aggressive ATB riding. Elliot how do the nexus hubs fare in kinetic racing? 'Cause I've built one into my playa pedal trike for this year...so far works good. They are rumored to be pretty well sealed to keep out dirt.
P.S. I deeply covet a Rohloff

Elliot · Post by **Elliot** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 10:01 pm

I think I've seen some Nexus hubs used in Kinetic Sculpture Racing, but I don't know
anything about them.

Rohloff lists minimum chain ring sizes. That is, a limit on input force. I talked to
the dealer a few years ago and he claimed to have sold a couple of hubs to Kinetic
Racers. Of course, he may have been just "selling".

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 10:05 pm

Is there any inefficiency built into the more complex internal gearsets?

Post by **mdmf007** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 10:16 pm

Crank length is also a consideration. As far as efficiency goes, I think you would need instruments to tell the difference. between gears, and chains. Ive busted a few internal gear sets though. so I believe the chain is more reliable, thats from my experience though.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 10:26 pm

What about SDRAM?
Anyone know if they are as tough as I hear?
I'm interested in an electric with gears.

Teo del Fuego · Post by **Teo del Fuego** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 9:16 am

Unkl knok wrote:3 speeds + playa dust = 1 speed

Naaaw, if we are talking about an internal hub three-speed, which I think we are, they work just fine on the playa. I had one out there all last year sans problem. Of course, it was well-maintained and well-lubed before it hit the playa, quite unlike myself.

Rocket75377 · Post by **Rocket75377** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 9:37 am

It is, in fact, an internal hub 3-speed.

I have a couple more questions, if anyone can help me. There's a small capped opening to the internals on the hub. At first I thought it was a grease nipple, but I think it's just a porthole to oil the gears. Is it for oil? What kind should I use? I heard someone say to use motor oil....

Is there any reason I shouldn't paint the chain? Would the paint even adhere to the metal, considering the oil and whatnot?

Thanks.

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 11:37 am

Claen the chain with WD40 (it is a solvent).. Don't oil anything until your back home cleaning up your playa gear..Oil just attract playa dust and makes mud out of it..Your not going to ride your bike so hard as to wear it out..oil to store it for the winter..

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 1:36 pm

There is a wax based lubricant that is supposed to not attract dust.
You melt it onto the chain.
A german company (moly?) has a superb nonsticky cable lubricant that should be good and there is graphite.

MozyBonz · Post by **MozyBonz** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 1:43 pm

gyre wrote:There is a wax based lubricant that is supposed to not attract dust.
You melt it onto the chain.
A german company (moly?) has a superb nonsticky cable lubricant that should be good and there is graphite.

when dust was a problem we used a dry slide for guns and dirtbikes goes on wet but stays on dry. Unlike other oil based lubricants, which attract harmful particulates.

Zhust · Post by **Zhust** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 7:09 am

gyre wrote:How about no chain?

http://www.dynamicbicycles.com/

I had a chainless bike made by a company called Amis International but they went out of business. By appearance alone, it looks like they used the same Korean shaft-drive shown on DynamicBicycles.com. The trouble was the frame would flex by a few dozen thousands-of-an-inch and the gears didn't like it. They started to mesh improperly and all those grand claims of efficiency turned into an ordeal of grinding hardened gears every time I rode.

The big plus, though, was that it was completely sealed. I used it as a winter bike for about 2 years and it never rusted or needed much maintenance. I talked about it on my website: when I got it and when it finally died.

misfit · Post by **misfit** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 8:40 am

There's a small capped opening to the internals on the hub. Is it for oil? What kind should I use?

what you have is a Sturney Archer 3 speed. couple drops of all purpose oil is all you need.

Teo del Fuego · Post by **Teo del Fuego** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 9:57 am

Take from someone who has 9 bicycles, and has been riding and working on bikes for 36 years.

Do NOT use WD40. It's oil-based and will attract grit and carry it into your chain's rollers. Use White Lightning or a teflon-based lube (available for under $10 at any bike shop.)

Do not paint your chain, the paint will be stripped off by the sprocket teeth and just gum up your chain.

I have no idea how anyone can read your posts and confidently tell you that you have an Archer hub. You may be looking at a grease-fitting on your hub. If it is, and you inject general purpose oil into your hub you may dilute the grease and fry the internals. It would be real easy to take the back wheel to a bike shop and ask them.

phil · Post by **phil** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 10:24 am

http://www.bikegallery.com/content/Bike ... -Lime.html

A comfort bike from Trek, with automatic transmission, covered chain, host of colors. Shifts to a higher gear as you bike faster, lower gear when you slow down.

misfit · Post by **misfit** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 11:41 am

I have no idea how anyone can read your posts and confidently tell you that you have an Archer hub.

from this statement...

I've got an old Huffy Sea Pines I'm fixing up

Huffy only used SA's throughout the 60's

Zatoichi · Post by **Zatoichi** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 11:42 am

I agree, use the white lightning prior to and while on the playa. Use the wd-40 when u return.

Zhust · Post by **Zhust** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 5:26 am

I had built a custom bike and went to a motorcycle shop looking for decent chain lube. I told them that it's for a dusty environment and they recommended PJ1 Blue Label Chain Lube. It sprays on a bit sticky -- one of the features is that it won't fly off (actually more of a problem than you'd think given the gearing on the bike) -- but it didn't collect much dust at Burning Man 2006.

BAS · Post by **BAS** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 7:37 am

I agree that a dry chain lube is a good idea. White Lightning is one brand I used on my mountain while in Madison, WI. I tried using some on the old 3 speed (which, incidentally, also has an internal hub), but don't think I was successful getting all the older (3-In-1) oil off.

There are other brands, of course. I just don't recall their names. (Jaycerochester mentions a motorcycle one-- PJ1 Blue Label Chain Lube. Dirt bikes go into environments similar to those mountain bikes ride in.)

B.

Post by **AntiM** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 7:44 am

What about moon bikes?

http://kutv.com/local/local_story_093002710.html

phil · Post by **phil** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 10:23 am

The problem, for me, with quads and trikes is getting them to the Playa. We've got our two wheel bikes tied to the wall of the van and stuff packed in around them and between them and the wall. I can't imagine getting all our stuff in the van when we've got the floor space taken up by a recumbent, a trike, or a quad-wheel. I know it's done, I just can't see it in my future.

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