I've been riding an S2 for about 3 months now on my formerly single speed '76 Raleigh Super Course Mk II. On paper the ratios looked too far apart. On the streets they seem just right. Before riding it, I didn't like that high was indirect. But any extra drag is imperceptible.
There is just one problem. I can't figure out how to get it to shift consistently. It's my daily ride and I've spent time with it on the stand, and even there shifting is random no matter what I try. Sometimes it can take 5-6 tries to make a shift and other times several shifts in a row go off like clockwork.
Is there a trick I haven't figured out or may I have gotten a defective unit?
It's not like I'm a Sturmey novice. I teach a 3 speed overhaul class at a local bike shop and I own 14 bikes with vintage SA hubs, plus the S2 and and one with an S3X.
From the sound of it I think you may have a large cog on the back. The reason for this being that the larger the cog the shorter the shift angle of the hub. So shifts would be faster and more sensitive with a larger rear cog. What size are you running in the rear?
I think there would be a huge market for an S2 flip-flop hub. being able to put a fixed cog on the opposite side and have the choice between riding fixed or freewheel with 2 gears would be a winner. think about it, do a bit of market research then build it. you can give me a prototype as a thank you gift.
3 comments:
I've been riding an S2 for about 3 months now on my formerly single speed '76 Raleigh Super Course Mk II. On paper the ratios looked too far apart. On the streets they seem just right. Before riding it, I didn't like that high was indirect. But any extra drag is imperceptible.
There is just one problem. I can't figure out how to get it to shift consistently. It's my daily ride and I've spent time with it on the stand, and even there shifting is random no matter what I try. Sometimes it can take 5-6 tries to make a shift and other times several shifts in a row go off like clockwork.
Is there a trick I haven't figured out or may I have gotten a defective unit?
It's not like I'm a Sturmey novice. I teach a 3 speed overhaul class at a local bike shop and I own 14 bikes with vintage SA hubs, plus the S2 and and one with an S3X.
Hello Mark,
From the sound of it I think you may have a large cog on the back. The reason for this being that the larger the cog the shorter the shift angle of the hub. So shifts would be faster and more sensitive with a larger rear cog. What size are you running in the rear?
I think there would be a huge market for an S2 flip-flop hub. being able to put a fixed cog on the opposite side and have the choice between riding fixed or freewheel with 2 gears would be a winner. think about it, do a bit of market research then build it. you can give me a prototype as a thank you gift.
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