Three-speed fixies make a return
Sturmey's S3X hub brings back multiple-gear fixed-wheel riding (Sturmey Archer)
Hub manufacturer Sturmey-Archer is poised to reintroduce a classic component: a three-speed, fixed gear rear hub.
According to a post on Sturmey’s blog the new S3X hub is at prototype stage and will have an aluminium alloy hub shell.
The S3X will have gears of direct drive, minus 25 percent and minus 37.5 percent.
Retro fans might be slightly disappointed that Sturmey hasn’t exactly replicated the ratios of the ASC fixed-gear three-speed of the early 1950s. However, it’s a similar range to the common AW three-speed which should make it a bit more broadly useful than the ASC, which was intended for time-trialling.
The ASC is one of those legendary components that has old-bike-gear freaks getting all misty-eyed when it’s mentioned. Examples are rare and change hands for hefty three-figure sums when they appear.
This writer had one on a road bike that was stolen from outside a pub in Leeds in 1987. The simplicity and versatility of a three-speed fixed made it far and away the best knockabout bike I’ve ever had.
There’s no word yet as to pricing or time line.
User Comments
There are 6 comments on this post
Showing 1 - 6 of 6 comments
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unclemalc
Posted Thu 4 Sep, 9:33 am UTC Flag as inappropriate
Used to love it! My first bike: a Raliegh sit-up-and-beg with a SA 3-speed. Bullet proof as well. Once left the bike outside in the garden ALL winter and it siezed. Up-ended a can of 3-in-1 in it, left it for a week, drained it out and the gearing mech worked as good as new for years after.
Mine went into a skip 20 years ago...how sad is that?
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turboman2112
Posted Thu 4 Sep, 7:04 pm UTC Flag as inappropriate
UNCLEMALC WHAT WERE YOU THINKING??? IN THE SKIP
IT MAKES YOU WONDER HOW MUCH FANTASTIC MACHINERY HAS BEEN DUMPED OVER THE YEARS EH.
I'D RIDE A 3SPEED FIXED ANY DAY. LOVE THE IDEA AND I DON'T REMEMBER THE ORIGINAL.
LETS HOPE THEY MAKE IT
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epicyclo
Posted Thu 4 Sep, 7:26 pm UTC Flag as inappropriate
Still use a S-A 3 speed. Favourite rear hub.
I want one of those fixed 3 speeds too - perfect! Now I'll be able to keep up with the pedals downhill too :)
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salsarider79
Posted Thu 4 Sep, 10:31 pm UTC Flag as inappropriate
I love the idea too. Not a fan of fixed, but still love the simplicity. Can you get these with a freewheel 120mm spaced hub?
p.s. Would these be any use on a track bike, or would they be ruled out? Just wondering as I'm going track racing next week...
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John Stevenson
Posted Fri 5 Sep, 3:36 am UTC Flag as inappropriate
@ salsarider79
Sturmey makes a huge range of hub gears, including a three-speed with similar ratios to this.
http://www.sturmey-archer.com/
@turboman2112
As far as we can tell, they're definitely making it.
I was badgering them a few years ago to bring back the ASC, and they said they needed an order of at least 10,000 units, then went "Hmmm, maybe it would be less than that if we could use some existing tooling..."
I'm willing to bet that this hub has a lot of parts in common with the XRF5 five-speed hub.
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cougie
Posted Fri 12 Sep, 12:06 am UTC Flag as inappropriate
Mmmm - I love my fixed - but I do lose out on the downhills. If the gearing is big enough - this could be just the jobbie !
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