SRAM dual drive hub to Stermy (Sturmey-Archer) 3-speed

[harvey sachs]

David Vanderwege wrote:

"Has anyone replaced a Sram 3speed rear hub with a Stermy Archer 3apeed. Are

the gear steps about the same. Can you really use any 3speed front shifter
with it. Sram Shimano???? This is on a BF tandem."

By introduction, my BF has a SRAM 3 by 7 which has been most satisfactory, with two exceptions: the indicator chain broke, and spares are hard to get. There is now a spare taped to the chainstay.  And, the trigger (shifter) broke while riding.  It was replaced with an old Sears unit in my parts box, which most likely was a German (Fichtel)-Sachs. And now, with a Taiwan Sturmey bar end-control, which has been excellent.

Notes;

• All of the "western" 3-speed IGH seem to use the same spacing of notches on the trigger, and interchange. Shimano is quite different, and a Shimano hub wants a Shimano trigger.  See John Allen's writing on the SheldonBrown site - a great general reference built by Sheldon and extended by John.
• I've taken apart, cleaned and reassembled maybe a dozen S/A hubs over the decades. 3- and 4-speeds, and the famous ASC 3-speed fixed gears. First patent was ~1903.  Elegant design, lots of small parts, and runs forever if occasionally given a booster of oil.  I can't remember taking apart a Sachs (=SRAM), but the reputation is that they are bullet-proof - except for the indicator and trigger.
• i'd speculate that the Shimano bell-crank indicator assembly is both easier to adjust and more robust than the chains used earlier.  I have no experience with the later SRAM indicator operator assemblies.

So, the question is why you might want to bother going to Sturmey instead of sticking with the SRAM.  Good luck and safe paths, whichever way you choose.

thanks, and YMMV

harvey sachs

lakewood ohio

[John S. Allen]

On 8/26/2021 7:34 AM, harvey sachs wrote:

I'd speculate that the Shimano bell-crank indicator assembly is both easier to adjust and more robust than the chains used earlier.  I have no experience with the later SRAM indicator operator assemblies.

The problem with all of them is that they stick out and can be damaged. The plastic SRAM clickbox is worst. on Rotary shifting as with some recent S-A hubs and Shimano Nexus/Alfine hubs avoids the problem but at the cost of limitations on the type of internal mechanism.--

John S. Allen

CyclingSavvy Instructor
League Cycling instuctor
Author, Bicycling Street Smarts
Technical Writer and Editor, sheldonbrown.com

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[John Thurston]

On 8/26/2021 3:34 AM, harvey sachs wrote:
> - I've taken apart, cleaned and reassembled maybe a dozen S/A hubs over

> the decades. 3- and 4-speeds, and the famous ASC 3-speed fixed gears. First
> patent was ~1903. Elegant design, lots of small parts, and runs forever if
> occasionally given a booster of oil. I can't remember taking apart a Sachs
> (=SRAM), but the reputation is that they are bullet-proof - except for the
> indicator and trigger.

I've had the Sachs apart many times. I wouldn't call them
"bullet-proof". They have, IMHO, poor bearing seals, small bearing
balls, and unobtanium axle nuts. I was totally happy to replace my Sachs
hubs with Sturmey-Archers.

Sachs tear down: https://bicycles.thurstons.us/

> So, the question is why you might want to bother going to Sturmey instead
> of sticking with the SRAM.

I can think of quite a few reasons, Harvey.

While not metric, the Sturmey-Archer axle threads are more common than
the Sachs-only thread. Replacement nuts and cones are available.

The bearing seals, while not perfect, are far superior on the
Sturmey-Archer.

Finding replacement caged bearing sets for the Sachs is a frustrating
experience. Be prepared to replace them with loose bearing balls. And
heaven help you if you ever need replacement cones. The right side cone
is long and unthreaded. The left side cone is threaded to fit exactly
Sachs-threaded axles.

The freehub of the Sturmey-Archer will accept modern 8/9/10/(and some
11) speed cassettes.

The indicator chain, like the axle nuts, is a far more common commodity
than that used on the Sachs. It is far less prone to damage than the
SRAM click-box.


--
John Thurston
Juneau, Alaska

[John S. Allen]

I bought my Haul-a-Day to bring home groceries, but I had another
special use in mind, something I couldn't have done with another
bicycle. Check out the video in this article:

https://cyclingsavvy.org/2021/08/using-your-gears-for-brisk-acceleration/

--

John S. Allen

CyclingSavvy Instructor
League Cycling instuctor
Author, Bicycling Street Smarts
Technical Writer and Editor, sheldonbrown.com

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