Sturmey-Archer Naben
Old English Almost all English 3-speeds have Sturmey-Archer rear hubs, and there have been many different models since the company started in 1902. Sturmey-Archer was a division of Raleigh Industries until autumn, 2000, when the parent company ran into financial difficulties. Sturmey-Archer (U.K.) was rendered homeless by various corporate maneuvers. For a while it appeared that it would disappear entirely into bankruptcy. The land the factory stood on was sold, and Sturmey-Archer was nearly liquidated by a corporate raider. Fortunately, a Taiwanese company called SunRace came to the rescue, and bought the company assets more or less intact. The machinery and stock were moved to Taiwan. SunRace resumed production of Sturmey-Archer hubs -- some pre-existing models, many new ones.
Sturmey-Archer quality had been on a downward slide since the early 1960s, as the company's engineering efforts shifted from trying to make a better product, as they had been through the first half century, to finding ways to make an acceptable product cheaper. Sturmey-Archer's quality peaked probably in the late '50s.
SunRace spent a great deal of money moving the machinery from England to Taiwan, but when it arrived, it turned out that most of the machinery was worn-out junk, no longer capable of manufacturing parts to the degree of precision appropriate to the 21st century.
I heard an interesting anecdote from a Sturmey-Archer veteran employee, now with SunRace/Sturmey-Archer: Back in the day, sometimes a batch of internal parts would be just a bit out of tolerance, maybe a bit too small, or a bit too large, whatever. The production people would take a sample to the engineering department, where a grey-haired engineer would check it out and often say "Well, it is a bit out of spec, but not really enough to cause failure, so let's let it go."
SunRace didn't have those engineers who had grown up with Sturmey-Archer in their blood, so when they found a batch of out-of-spec parts, they would say "That's out of spec! Melt it down, and make new ones, and do it right this time!"
In any case, the quality of Taiwanese production from SunRace/Sturmey-Archer so far has been excellent, generally better than the quality of later English production. Sturmey-Archer's selection of multi-speed hubs is much wider than that of the other manufacturers. Sturmey-Archer hubs tend to be lighter than the competitors'. SunRace has also introduced many new models, including an 8-speed internal-gear hub, a fixed-gear three-speed and an updated version of the Dynohub generator. Many Sturmey-Archer hubs -- even the 8-speed -- can fit the narrow dropout spacings of older bicycles. .
Some folks don't believe that the Taiwanese can make stuff as well as the British did, but there's no factual basis for that belief, and in many cases this attitude may be traced to racism.
Aktuelle Sturmey-Archer Modelle und die meisten anderen seit den 1930er Jahren
Cells with pink backgrounds identify current models as of 2010.
Quick Reference | ||
---|---|---|
2-speeds | 3-speeds | 4-speeds |
5-speeds 1967-2000 | 5-speeds 2000- | 7-speeds |
8-speeds | 1-speed brake hubs | Front hubs |
Individual models Links to individual models are mostly for older models. | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AB | AB/C | AC | AG | AM | AR | ASC | AT3 | AW | AWC | BF | BFC |
BF/C | BFT | BR | BRC | BRT | FB | FC | FG | FM | FW | GH6 | K |
KB | KBC | KS | KSW | KT | KTC | S5 | S5-2 | S3C | SAB3 | SBF | SBR |
Spr.5 | Spr.7 | ST | SW | T | TB | TBC | TBF | TBFC | TCW | TF | VT |
Naben mit Nabenschaltung
Zwei Gänge
Model | Speeds | Range | Gears(%) | Features |
---|---|---|---|---|
B2C |
2 | Wide | 138 100 |
2-speed kickback hub, coaster brake, steel shell. Also see coaster-brake page. |
S2C |
2 | Wide | 138 100 |
2-speed kickback hub, coaster brake, aluminum shell. Also see coaster-brake page. |
S2 |
2 | Wide | 138 100 |
2-speed kickback hub, no brake, aluminum shell. |
S2 (1960) |
2 | Wide | 100 71.4 |
Note, same model number as new S2 but different ratios. 1960s model with kickback shifting |
T |
2 | Medium | 100 75 |
A rare 1930s model, made for club bicycles and tandems. If you have a fast connection, you can see |
TB |
2 | Wide | 100 75 |
A rare 1930s two-speed hub with cable/rod-operated drum brake. Similar to TBC If you have a fast connection, you can see |
TBC |
2 | Wide | 100 75 |
A rare 1930s two-speed hub with cable-operated drum brake. Similar to TB If you have a fast connection, you can see |
TBF |
2 | Wide | 100 75 |
A rare 1930s fixed gear two-speed hub with cable/rod-operated drum brake. Similar to TBFC If you have a fast connection, you can see |
TBFC |
2 | Wide | 100 75 |
A rare 1930s fixed gear two-speed hub with cable-operated drum brake. Similar to TBF If you have a fast connection, you can see |
TC |
2 | Close | 100 86.54 |
A rare 1930s model, made for club bicycles. See: sa-1938f2.jpeg (176k) |
TF |
2 | Medium | 100 75 |
A rare 1930s fixed gear model, made for club bicycles and tandems. The fixed-gear version of the T Sturmey-Archer TF |
Drei Gänge
- Siehe auch
Wartung von Sturmey-Archer 3-Gang Naben
Model | Speeds | Range | Gears(%) | Features |
---|---|---|---|---|
AB |
3 | Wide | 133.3 100 75 |
Basically an AW, with cable-operated drum brake. |
AB3 |
3 | Wide | 133.3 100 75 |
With cable-operated 90 mm drum brake. Still sold in 2010. |
AB/C |
3 | Wide | 133.3 100 75 |
With cable-operated 90 mm drum brake. Still sold in 2010. |
AC |
3 | Close | 106.66 100 93.3 |
A rare model, made for club bicycles, time trials. |
AG |
3 | Wide | 133.3 100 75 |
Basically, an AW with a built-in Dynohub generator. |
AM |
3 | Medium | 115.55 100 86.54 |
A rare model, made for club bicycles. |
AR |
3 | Ultra Close | 107.24 100 93.24 |
A very rare 1930's model, made for club/racing bicycles.
Sturmey-Archer AR If you have a fast connection, you can see sales brochures for this model. |
ASC |
3 | Close | 100 90 75 |
Fixed gear. Extremely rare, and lots of fun! This site has two separate pages devoted to this hub: See the main ASC Page for general info, and the ASC Tech Page for service instructions, cutaway and exploded diagrams.
In 2010, SunRace/Sturmey Archer has introduced a new 3-speed fixed gear hub, the S3X |
AT3 |
3 | Wide | 133.3 100 75 |
"Elite" 70 mm drum brake and no-intermediate-gear (no neutral) internals. "Elite" indicates a hub with an aluminium shell. |
AW |
3 | Wide | 133.3 100 75 |
This is far and away the most common model, introduced in 1936. No-neutral-gear version still sold in 2010 --75th anniversary is coming up in 2011! Also see rebuilding instructions in Sutherland's Handbook of Coaster Brake and Internally Geared Hubs. |
AWC |
3 | Wide | 133.3 100 75 |
Three speed coaster brake. No-neutral-gear version. Steel shell. Also see rebuilding instructions in Sutherland's Handbook of Coaster Brake and Internally Geared Hubs. |
AWC(II) |
3 | Wide | 133.3 100 75 |
Slight modification to the AWC. Also see rebuilding instructions in Sutherland's Handbook of Coaster Brake and Internally Geared Hubs. |
CS-RF3 |
3 | Wide | 133.3 100 75 |
Hybrid gearing, fits a Shimano or SRAM 8- or 9-speed cassette. |
BWR |
3 | Extra-wide | 63.8 100 156.7 |
Special Brompton extra wide-ratio 3-speed used with 2 sprockets and a rear derailer to make a 6-speed hybrid-gearing system. |
CS-RK3 |
3 | Wide | 133.3 100 75 |
Hybrid gearing, fits a Shimano or SRAM 8- or 9-speed cassette. Disk brake fitting |
K |
3 | Wide | 133.3 100 75 |
The immediate predecessor of the AW
If you have a fast connection, you can see sales brochures for this model. |
KB |
3 | Wide | 133.3 100 75 |
With rod-operated drum brake. (Similar to the KBC)
If you have a fast connection, you can see sales brochures for this model. |
KBC |
3 | Wide | 133.3 100 75 |
With cable-operated drum brake. 1930's predecessor to the AB
Sturmey-Archer KBC If you have a fast connection, you can see sales brochures for this model. |
KS |
3 | Close | 112.5 100 89.9 |
A rare 1930s model, made for club bicycles and tandems.
Sturmey-Archer KS If you have a fast connection, you can see sales brochures for this model. |
KSW |
3 | Medium | 116.6 100 85.7 |
A rare 1930s model, made for club bicycles and tandems.
Sturmey-Archer KS If you have a fast connection, you can see sales brochures for this model. |
KT |
3 | Wide | 133.3 100 75 |
Tandem hub with cable/rod-operated drum brake. Similar to KTC
Sturmey-Archer KT If you have a fast connection, you can see sales brochures for this model. |
KTC |
3 | Wide | 133.3 100 75 |
Tandem hub with cable-operated drum brake. Similar to KT
If you have a fast connection, you can see sales brochures for this model. |
QS-RC3 |
3 + reverse | Wide | 133.3 100 75 |
Coaster brake, aluminum shell, reverse gear and second sprocket, made for a tricycle. This is a gearbox, not a hub and must be used in an intermediate position on the frame, with two chains, because the secondary sprocket attaches where the spokes would. |
RS-RF3 |
3 | Wide | 133.3 100 75 |
New version similar to the AW, with an aluminum shell. Rotary shifting interface inside the dropout; no brake. |
RX-RD3 |
3 | Wide | 133.3 100 75 |
New version similar to the AW, with an aluminum shell. Rotary shifting interface inside the dropout; 70mm drum brake |
SAB3 |
3 | Wide | 133.3 100 75 |
Steel shell, 70mm drum brake. No-intermediate-gear mechanism. Still sold in 2010 |
SBR |
3 | Wide | 133.3 100 75 |
"Steelite" with 70 mm drum brake.
"Steelite" indicates a hub with a steel shell. |
S3C |
3 | Wide | 133.3 100 75 |
Coaster brake. After Consumer Reports rated the TCW IV "unacceptable" because the brake would fail completely if the shift cable was misadjusted, Sturmey-Archer completely redesigned the Tricoaster, so that the braking was independent of the gear-change. This model is safer than the TCW series, but is still prone to failure. Also see rebuilding instructions in Sutherland's Handbook of Coaster Brake and Internally Geared Hubs. |
S3X |
3 | Mid | 100 75 62.5 |
SunRace/Sturmey-Archer's new-production 3-speed fixed gear, supplanting the rare ASC. A matching front hub, the HBT, is available. |
S-RC3 |
3 | Wide | 133.3 100 75 |
Aluminum-shell version of the AWC(II), with coaster brake. |
S-RF3 |
3 | Wide | 133.3 100 75 |
New version similar to the AW, with an aluminum shell. Improved pullchain interface; no brake. |
SW |
3 | Superwide | 138.4 100 72.23 |
This model was intended to replace the AW in 1957, but was so troublesome that it was withdrawn, and the AW re-introduced in 1958. The SW uses a unique 3-prong driver, and has crescent shape pawls that don't use pawl springs. When they work, they're very nice. They are light, nearly silent, and efficient. None of the internal parts are interchangeable with other models. See Brian Hayes's article on this site. |
SX-RB3 |
3 | Wide | 133.3 100 75 |
Wide-body 3-speed (for wide dropout spacing) with threads on left side for band brake drum or sprocket. |
SX-RK3 |
3 | Wide | 133.3 100 75 |
Wide-body 3-speed (for wide dropout spacing) with fitting for brake disk. |
TCW |
3 | Wide | 133.3 100 75 |
Coaster brake. Mark I, II, III, IV. Unreliable, replaced by the S3C. Also see rebuilding instructions in Sutherland's Handbook of Coaster Brake and Internally Geared Hubs. |
TS-RC3 |
3 + reverse | Wide | 133.3 100 75 |
Coaster brake, high-polish aluminum shell, reverse gear and second sprocket: made for a tricycle. This is a gearbox, not a hub, and must be used in an intermediate position on the frame, with two chains, because the second sprocket attaches at the spoke holes on the right side. |
TS-RF3 |
3 | Wide | 133.3 100 75 |
No brake, high-polish aluminum shell, reverse gear and second sprocket: made for a tricycle. This is a gearbox, not a hub, and must be used in an intermediate position on the frame, with two chains, because the second sprocket attaches at the spoke holes on the right side. |
XL-RD3 |
3 | Wide | 133.3 100 75 |
90 mm drum brake, aluminum shell. |
X-RD3 |
3 + reverse | Wide | 133.3 100 75 |
70 mm drum brake, aluminum shell. |
Vier Gänge
- Siehe auch
Model | Speeds | Range | Gears(%) | Features |
---|---|---|---|---|
FB |
4 | Wide | 126.6 100 79.9 66.67 |
With cable-operated drum brake. Also see rebuilding instructions in Sutherland's Handbook of Coaster Brake and Internally Geared Hubs. |
FC |
4 | Close | 109.1 100 90 75 |
A rare model, made for club bicycles. |
FG |
4 | Wide | 126.6 100 79.9 66.67 |
Basically an FW with a built-in Dynohub generator.
I have one of these on my 1954 Superbe Roadster. Also see rebuilding instructions in Sutherland's Handbook of Coaster Brake and Internally Geared Hubs. |
FM |
4 | Medium | 112.5 100 85.7 66.7 |
A rare model, made for club bicycles. |
FW |
4 | Wide | 126.6 100 78.9 66.67 |
The most common four-speed model. Also see rebuilding instructions in Sutherland's Handbook of Coaster Brake and Internally Geared Hubs. |
Fünf Gänge (1967-2000)
Fünf Gänge (ab 2000)
Sieben Gänge
Acht Gänge
Ein Gang Bremsnaben
Vorderradnaben
BF |
Formerly, drum brake for rod operation (similar to BFC) Now this name is used for a 90mm cable-operated drum brake (current model). If you have a fast connection, you can see |
BFC |
Drum brake for cable operation (similar to BF). If you have a fast connection, you can see |
BF/C |
90 mm drum brake for cable operation (current model is called the BF but refers to this one's technical info.) |
BFT |
Tandem drum brake for cable operation (similar to BFC) If you have a fast connection, you can see |
HBT |
Front track hub to match the S3X fixed-gear hub. Available in several colors. |
GH6 |
Front hub with built-in Dynohub generator. |
SBF |
70 mm "Steelite" drum brake for cable operation (current model) |
VT |
70 mm "Elite" drum brake for cable operation |
X-FD |
Front hub with 70mm drum brake. |
X-FDD |
Front hub with 70mm drum brake and new-model Dynohub generator. |
XL-FD |
Front hub with 90mm drum brake |
XL-FDD |
Front hub with 90mm drum brake and new-model Dynohub generator. |
X-SD |
Front single-side (tadpole tricycle front) hub with 70mm drum brake. |
XL-SD |
Front single-side (tadpole tricycle front) hub with 90mm drum brake. |
Siehe auch
- Sturmey-Archer Web site -- information on current hubs
- Sturmey-Archer Heritage Web site -- information on hubs from 1902 through 2000.
- Tony Hadland's Web Sturmey-Archer pages-- detailed history through 2000, and technical information
Quelle
Dieser Artikel basiert auf dem Artikel Sturmey-Archer Bicycle Hubs von der Website Sheldon Browns. Originalautor des Artikels ist Sheldon Brown.