http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Dave's new build en Sun, 05 Apr 2026 14:59:39 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4258&page=5#post-62337 Thu, 22 Mar 2012 01:30:11 +0000 Dave 62337@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I just came out of 90 minutes of extraordinarily messy and nerve-wracking heart surgery on my S2C.</p> <p>Cooking on gas!</p> <p>The flanged tab washer widget provided by SA is astonishingly large (probably ~4mm thick) and you have to undo a legion of nuts and two C-clips, which is amazingly difficult without tools (OK, replacing them is - it's easy to get them off with a screwdriver!) before you can dismantle the hub enough to get the piece in place. </p> <p>But anyway, the job is done, grease wiped from every imaginable surface around the flat, and I now have two gears with a brake, and no cables, and it feels FINE... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4258&page=5#post-61436 Fri, 16 Mar 2012 01:33:21 +0000 Uberuce 61436@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'd bet heavily that they are; I knackered a friend's toggle chain from her 2011 3-speed and replaced it with the chain from my 1976 one, and it's been flawless. I don't think Sturmey-Archer are much into fixing what ain't broke. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4258&page=5#post-61432 Fri, 16 Mar 2012 01:00:59 +0000 Dave 61432@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I guess they'd stop selling overnight if SA shipped them with a 'defect resolution kit' and required you to disassemble the internal gearing on purchase?</p> <p>Alas I crushed the bearing holder thingy so had to put the balls into the nearside race loose (but there aren't very many for a loose race, methinks). Still, I guess I could easily buy more balls, they must be a standard size. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4258&page=5#post-61414 Thu, 15 Mar 2012 22:11:46 +0000 Uberuce 61414@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The AW 3-speed seems to be a Terminator cockroach; certainly my one has aged better than my moving parts, and I'm two years younger than it.</p> <p>Maybe S-A are one hit wonders? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4258&page=5#post-61407 Thu, 15 Mar 2012 21:28:39 +0000 kaputnik 61407@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It's nice that they let you build it up and then ride it with a known defect and only tell you when you complain. surely if there's a fix kit available at the very least it should be shipped with all hubs, along with a covering note. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4258&page=5#post-61405 Thu, 15 Mar 2012 21:17:12 +0000 LaidBack 61405@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Was scared to ask. That is pretty crazy. Mind you Apple sold the Cube with a known fault which meant I had to replace the on / off switch membrane. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4258&page=5#post-61400 Thu, 15 Mar 2012 20:54:05 +0000 crowriver 61400@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Oh dear, what a carry on. I thought Sturmey Archer hubs were supposed to be well made and reliable? So much for that myth...</p> <p>I hope in the end it all works out okay for you, Dave. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4258&page=5#post-61397 Thu, 15 Mar 2012 20:21:49 +0000 Dave 61397@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Hmm. When I requested a return, the seller said that it was a known fault, some part or other is not in tolerance, and SA have provided a fix kit with instructions, and would I like one?</p> <p>Obviously I said yes, but I can't help feeling it's a bit mad that they go on selling faulty hubs, then let people write back to complain, then send out a fix for them to get their elbows dirty (if I don't reassemble it properly, will it still be in warranty?) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4258&page=5#post-61227 Thu, 15 Mar 2012 01:28:25 +0000 Dave 61227@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I opened up for a look, since it's so simple to do so (just undo the nuts on one side and pull the mechanism out in one go):</p> <p>You can see the 'upper' pawls (direct) which are out all the time, and get overtaken by the 'lower' pawls (high gear) which are either in or out depending on shift.</p> <p>I think one of my high gear pawls hangs out a little when supposedly retracted, catching the shell when supposedly in low gear (this would account for the slipping and popping?). Certainly it doesn't seem to be a grease problem, the pawls were nice and snappy.</p> <p><img src="http://www.mccraw.co.uk/upload/s2c3.jpg"><br /> <img src="http://www.mccraw.co.uk/upload/s2c4.jpg"><br /> <img src="http://www.mccraw.co.uk/upload/s2c1.jpg"><br /> <img src="http://www.mccraw.co.uk/upload/s2c2.jpg"> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4258&page=5#post-61116 Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:11:39 +0000 Arellcat 61116@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Dave, one school of thought is that the S2C comes with grease, and <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Geared_hub_bikes/message/4406">too much of it</a>, rather than machine oil, leading to recalcitrant pawls. Another school of thought is that it's related to <a href="http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-752718.html">bearing adjustments</a> being too tight or loose, and possibly chain tension; I can't view the FB link in that link but it might be useful. The 3spd hubs in my experience seem to prefer their bearings to be a fraction loose.</p> <p>It's certainly hard to believe that it can't be diagnosed, with so few parts involved. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4258&page=5#post-61101 Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:39:20 +0000 Uberuce 61101@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>That is a rubbish run of luck you've had. How is it meant to work? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4258&page=5#post-61090 Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:11:07 +0000 Dave 61090@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Soul-destroyingly, I got the wheel built up for Monday's commute, and the hub doesn't work in low gear :(</p> <p>There are no controls so it can't be set up wrong. Very disappointing (have emailed the seller, and SA, to vent my spleen).</p> <p>On the plus side, I can ride up from sea level just fine on a 72" singlespeed... it's getting me plenty of exercise! </p> <p>Not sure now what I'm going to do for the two mini-tours we have planned this weekend and Easter. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4258&page=4#post-59942 Wed, 07 Mar 2012 21:49:12 +0000 custard 59942@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="http://www.wiggle.co.uk/pdw-loading-dock-rear-rack-with-bamboo-top/" rel="nofollow">http://www.wiggle.co.uk/pdw-loading-dock-rear-rack-with-bamboo-top/</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4258&page=4#post-59933 Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:41:45 +0000 Dave 59933@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="http://squaretreecycle.tumblr.com/post/11952705216/wood-fenders-woodguards">Funny you should mention that!</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4258&page=4#post-59932 Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:17:10 +0000 chdot 59932@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Skirting boards are the new mudguards. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4258&page=4#post-59931 Wed, 07 Mar 2012 20:13:45 +0000 custard 59931@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I dont think the skirting boards will suit the bike </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4258&page=4#post-59927 Wed, 07 Mar 2012 18:52:30 +0000 Dave 59927@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've got to paint skirting boards, but hopefully it won't take more than an hour or two to strip the old wheel down and build this one up. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4258&page=4#post-59920 Wed, 07 Mar 2012 18:23:59 +0000 LaidBack 59920@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Will it be ready for Arthur's Seat run next tuesday? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4258&page=4#post-59836 Wed, 07 Mar 2012 13:29:01 +0000 Dave 59836@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>S2C just arrived in the office. It looks awesome, although I'm slightly nervous about it!</p> <p>Pretty heavy although considering I have no shifters, shift cables, or rear brake lever/cable (or derailleurs), it's probably a bit moot. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4258&page=4#post-59282 Mon, 05 Mar 2012 11:07:33 +0000 Dave 59282@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Everything about it is awesome, except that mine didn't work!</p> <p>I don't know whether the cause was dodgy factory production, damage in transit, damage on the bike (physical or by riding it maladjusted) - although I was careful to check the indicator rod whenever I felt it was running less than flawlessly.</p> <p>Either way though, I figured it would be silly to make the best of it when it's so new (I understand within 6 months the burden of proof is on the retailer that the product isn't faulty).</p> <p>The 8 speed on the Paper Bicycle felt much tighter. I'm not sure frankly what I'd recommend now - the Alfines all have to be externally braked, which would be too annoying for me. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4258&page=4#post-59233 Sun, 04 Mar 2012 21:05:18 +0000 Uberuce 59233@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>And here was me using you as a lightning rod for the 5-speed, since that was for the balance of cost, chainline and dropout looking to be the best thing to stick in the back of my currently single speed Genesis. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4258&page=4#post-59230 Sun, 04 Mar 2012 20:53:04 +0000 ExcitableBoy 59230@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Looks interesting - hope you have more luck with it! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4258&page=4#post-59225 Sun, 04 Mar 2012 20:23:01 +0000 Dave 59225@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've finally lost patience after waiting more than a week to hear from the importer (not the seller I got the hub from) about some dubious technical comment they offered in the glacial "discuss the allegedly broken hub" discussion - the S5C hub is going back with a Sale of Goods cover note as soon as I have a replacement.</p> <p>Wisely or not, I found a deal I couldn't resist on the funktastic S2C duomatic, a wide-range two speed that shifts on the backpedal as well as braking, so I'll get away with no cables whatsoever.</p> <p><img src="http://www.mccraw.co.uk/upload/s2c.png"></p> <p>The downside is going to be having basically gears 3 and 5 from my current hub (so I've asked for a bigger sprocket!)</p> <p>It will be worth it for the fast 3 seasons if it makes the bike as bombproof as it should have been from the start.</p> <p>You'll notice that the red anodising will match the artisan colourways of my headset spacers. Let nobody think I threw this bike together from the best sale prices (ahem) rather than hand-curating each component over years of study! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4258&page=4#post-54707 Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:42:22 +0000 Dave 54707@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It always shifts into 1st immediately. It will ride OK in first for a while, then it will 'chonk' forwards, sometimes it will actually change to 2nd, sometimes not. If it ends up in second, if I lighten off the pedals it will change back into first.</p> <p>My understanding of the mechanism is that the cable needs to be at high tension to keep it in 1st. However, even if I haul back on the shifter to get it tighter than the indexed point, it will still skip. </p> <p>It's conceivable that something inside is rounded off or misaligned I guess. I'm going to keep an eye out on ebay for "broken, for parts" SA hubs and see if I can learn anything by dismantling one that doesn't matter (separately to trying to return this hub for a new one). </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4258&page=4#post-54697 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:33:23 +0000 crowriver 54697@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Hmm. Is it engaging into 1st gear okay, or maybe 'meshing' a bit with 2nd? Equivalent of chain not quite engaging on rear cog in a derailleur setup...</p> <p>Maybe the problem is with the cable that's pulling the chain out to change gear? Maybe not quite pulling out far enough/ retreating back in far enough to reach 1st properly? Is there some way of adjusting the indexing? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4258&page=4#post-54696 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:51:09 +0000 Dave 54696@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>It's the 5 speed with coaster. Comes in various flavours depending on the shell style (mine is an S5C).</p> <p>It's a bolt-on. I'm pretty sure the axle is OK, if only because the studded tyre would make a horrific racket if it slipped and started chewing into the frame. </p> <p>On the left side it can't slide forward anyway because the reaction arm is bolted into the disc mount, the bolt would need to shear for it to move even slightly forward (lucky frame choice!)</p> <p>The hub is very sweet in 2-5 and it's particularly annoying that 1 is the faulty option, because I never use 5. Have thought about swapping to a 3 speed version, which is exactly like my gears 2-4, but it's already slightly limited by having a 38" low gear...</p> <p>In more positive news, the front hub is sitting pretty. Excellent braking in all weather and I haven't had to think about my lights since the end of November... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4258&page=4#post-54695 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:37:21 +0000 crowriver 54695@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Dave, is it the 5 speed or 8 speed SA hub you have? They have a reputation for being very reliable, so unless it's a faulty hub I'm guessing it's how the axle is seated in the rear dropouts/fork ends?</p> <p>Is it a bolt axle or QR on the rear? Coaster brakes right? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4258&page=4#post-54693 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:32:42 +0000 Uberuce 54693@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>As it happens I'm pondering about converting my chunky single speed into hub gearing, and since that one was on the list of options, I'll watch with interest and a wince for your misfortune. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4258&page=4#post-54688 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:26:43 +0000 LaidBack 54688@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Is a very annoying problem for you.<br /> Should be 'fit and forget' rather than 'fit and fret'. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=4258&page=4#post-54672 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:00:30 +0000 Dave 54672@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>A week after posting the last update I took the back wheel off and tightened the drive-side locknut on the advice of the CTC forum.</p> <p>I've now given it a week to bed in but last night I delivered my 73kgs of wood up to Loanhead and it was absolutely terrible in 1st gear again.</p> <p>So, I've sent an email off asking about a warranty return, and hope to get a better copy second time around. (There aren't any other options except for the 3-speed version which is too narrowly geared for me. If I put on an alfine, it means another cable and brake lever somewhere).</p> <p>Watch this space... </p>