tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post5162683771390422146..comments2024-03-18T10:19:55.782-04:00Comments on The Velo ORANGE Blog: Various Notes and ThingsVelo Orangehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02835615331417822722noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-17305667815394845822009-01-17T22:29:00.000-05:002009-01-17T22:29:00.000-05:00You have to cut off the end of the cable and use t...You have to cut off the end of the cable and use the replacement end nut that Sturmey sells.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-68172128251503715972009-01-09T16:16:00.000-05:002009-01-09T16:16:00.000-05:00Josh,I can't get the cable hooked to the drum brak...Josh,<BR/><BR/>I can't get the cable hooked to the drum brake. <BR/><BR/>With the canti lever it pulls just a wee bit too much cable. With the piece on the barrel that hooks to the reaction arm all the way to the top, I can't quite get the notch to go into the reaction arm.<BR/><BR/>It's even worse with the linear pull levers. They take up so much cable into the lever.<BR/><BR/>I'd really like to shorten the housing, but I can't see anyway to do that other than cutting the whole cable assembly. Once I do that, though, I'm not sure how to replace the piece at the hub end of the cable.<BR/><BR/>I also have an old weinmann lever, like the city levers on here, that might work, but I don't have one of those non aero ferrules and again, I wouldn't know how to thread it on.<BR/><BR/>JoeJoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15723220834583882969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-33402368904211354712009-01-09T12:41:00.000-05:002009-01-09T12:41:00.000-05:00Joe,So, are you finding the levers a) take up too ...Joe,<BR/><BR/>So, are you finding the levers a) take up too much cable (resulting in "grabby" braking and bad modulation)? Or Not enough cable (resulting in poor braking power)?Josh Mitchellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03969306131489466113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-16044619375518697022009-01-09T12:06:00.000-05:002009-01-09T12:06:00.000-05:00I can tell you I'm having a hard time getting the ...I can tell you I'm having a hard time getting the x-fdd to work with any brake lever. I have a canti and linear pull lever that I can't quite get it to work with. My problem is the housing is too long in both cases--just a bit with the canti lever and a ton with the linear pull lever--and I see no easy way to shorten the housing.<BR/><BR/>Any thoughts on shortening the housing?Joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15723220834583882969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-86945887489936391342009-01-05T21:57:00.000-05:002009-01-05T21:57:00.000-05:00Guys, question:the Sturmey-Archer dynohub/drum bra...Guys, question:<BR/><BR/>the Sturmey-Archer dynohub/drum brake thing (X-FDD or something?) sounds really cool. Would one use a regular brake lever for that, or a V-brake type lever to pull more cable? I think that hub could be excellent on an around-town machine. I've read differing views on the correct levers to use, that's why I ask.Dadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09016373487910801383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-45849070906992224942008-12-24T09:39:00.000-05:002008-12-24T09:39:00.000-05:00att: Chris Kulczycki 1:internal gear hubs are main...att: Chris Kulczycki <BR/><BR/>1:internal gear hubs are mainly fore commuting use, but the sram (or better an old torpedo hub) can be used for a rando style of cycle whit great success, i know bicycle curries who use it and clams that the are tougher than the commen fixgearhub on copenhagen curries cycles (like formula or similar..)<BR/>And; the SRAM works whit most old friction shifters (Suntours, barcons and thumbs, are really great whit there small clicks) this is wonderful when it comes to more special rides<BR/><BR/>2: i do not agree on the SA hubs, we carry Pasley bikes in my bike shop they come whit SA 5 speed hubs, i think we might have 10 times the trouble whit those, than whit the SRAM 3g, SA made fine stuff pre 1960, but that was then.. <BR/><BR/>att: dr2chase <BR/><BR/>the pilen is about a 900$ fore 3 speed whit a dynamo light.. <BR/><BR/>i think the SA dynamo is fine, we have the shimano in my shop to but i think thy are a much the same but the light from the SA is more constant.. and the SA hubs looks much nicerstinus.bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11958528541652093345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-40179125550177386682008-12-23T14:27:00.000-05:002008-12-23T14:27:00.000-05:00I like those Windcheetah designs; the brake also l...I like those Windcheetah designs; the brake also looks interesting. All of this is making me reconsider a gear hub again for my daily commuting Heron. Except the Ultegra rear shifter has really been very satisfactory. What excites me is the thought of an internal hub combined with a rubber toothed belt. I'm still waiting to receive my personal hovercraft, though. ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-24817787162492087692008-12-22T17:38:00.000-05:002008-12-22T17:38:00.000-05:00If anyone is interested in the David Wrath-Sharman...If anyone is interested in the David Wrath-Sharman improved hub brake design, On-One are considering getting a batch made, but I think it will be a while yet.<BR/>http://www.on-one-shop.co.uk/?p=835<BR/><BR/>Also drum brakes on a small wheel like the front of the Windcheetah will be significantly more powerful. For a while Windcheetah offered drum brakes with a ceramic lining as an upgrade option. Not sure if this is still available.<BR/><BR/>RobinAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-42489567166006544572008-12-22T16:24:00.000-05:002008-12-22T16:24:00.000-05:00fwiw, regarding S-A hubs and equalized spoke tensi...fwiw, regarding S-A hubs and equalized spoke tension. I thought the same thing till my RX-RD3 showed up. The wheel will have to be dished (unlike a Shimano 8 spd. internal hub).<BR/><BR/>The trade off being that the rotary shifter on the S-A hub has better clearances than my Shimano 8 speed internal hub.<BR/><BR/>Whether the S-A hub is more reliable than my Shimano hub (yes, I have had problems), check back in 2 years(!)...keithwwalkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11808096138218041326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-42650987204579434742008-12-22T11:45:00.000-05:002008-12-22T11:45:00.000-05:00It is surely possible to put drum brakes on a high...It is surely possible to put drum brakes on a high performance machine. The Windcheetah recumbent trike is as hot a performance machine as can be found anywher e, and it is equipped these days with 70mm SRAM drum brakes. http://www.windcheetah.co.uk/technical.htmStevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18127635083892565152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-51522767594540073202008-12-22T10:20:00.000-05:002008-12-22T10:20:00.000-05:00Sorry... so +1 for SA and their renewed commitment...Sorry... so +1 for SA and their renewed commitment to quality parts.mhandscohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18043075660014584879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-14446289602919315472008-12-22T10:19:00.000-05:002008-12-22T10:19:00.000-05:00I have a SA X-FD front drum brake on my fixed gear...I have a SA X-FD front drum brake on my fixed gear and find it pretty good. The fancy SA nuts are made of cheese, but it stops and rolls very well.mhandscohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18043075660014584879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-30661946103326965032008-12-22T09:24:00.000-05:002008-12-22T09:24:00.000-05:00There are a couple of big misconceptions that are ...There are a couple of big misconceptions that are reflected in the comments here:<BR/><BR/>1) These drum brakes and internal gear hubs are great on city bikes. That is what they are designed for and that's what you should use them for. If you put them on a MTB or Pass Hunter or rando bike you probably won't be happy. BTW, the drum brakes on tandems are somewhat different.<BR/><BR/>2) The British Strumey Archer stuff was absolute crap when Sun Race (of Taiwan) bought the company. British quality had gone to hell in the 1970s and 1980s, and not just in hubs. The early Taiwanese SA hubs were still made on the old worn out British machinery Sun Race had imported, but they were better than the British hubs because the Taiwanese actually cared about quality. Over the years the quality improved and improved until today's SA hubs are as good as any, perhaps better.Velo Orangehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02835615331417822722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-48787914856874809092008-12-22T03:37:00.000-05:002008-12-22T03:37:00.000-05:00super article on the drum brakes. I like how he s...super article on the drum brakes. I like how he solved the problem of the forks with the long reaction arm. I would really appreciate the consistency of braking along with less maintenance. Everytime I ride in the rain, half my pads dissolve into a black mess all over my rims. He also confirmed my prior research that essentially all drum brakes have been for the 5mph city bikes. The Arai drum is a drag brake, meant to absorb heat than to be a real 'stopper'. Using discs means you need a stiff fork, or, I guess a shock fork, with more working parts to wear out. Hmmm...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-34112618152477677252008-12-21T22:06:00.000-05:002008-12-21T22:06:00.000-05:00Speaking of drum brakes, any chance of talking to ...Speaking of drum brakes, any chance of talking to this guy <BR/><BR/>http://63xc.com/dws/hubbrake.htm<BR/><BR/>about his brakes? they sound magical...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-71866799386499323942008-12-21T20:14:00.000-05:002008-12-21T20:14:00.000-05:00I'm sorry, let me clarify, in the last two paragra...I'm sorry, let me clarify, in the last two paragraphs I was referring to internally geared rear hubs. : )Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-19550463162847313972008-12-21T20:12:00.000-05:002008-12-21T20:12:00.000-05:00I'd thought about the Rohloff hub on my touring bi...I'd thought about the Rohloff hub on my touring bike but despised the twist grip shifting. Therefore, I drew up a downtube shifter that had the built-in indexing. It looked a bit like the old Herse era shifters to allow enough indents for all speeds.<BR/><BR/>Question on the front drums; they must not be too strong, because otherwise there would be problems twisting the forks, which are designed for rim braking. <BR/><BR/>Do you have specs on braking distance with these units? Drum brakes can actually work very well, particularly if they are twin leading shoe, and if you seat the shoes into the drums.<BR/><BR/>Oh! Also remember one advantage of these rear hubs is that you can have even spoke tension.<BR/><BR/>One more thing; I think with hub brakes there is an issue of too low of a chainring. Rohloff talks about this. Even then, if you are using the single-speed tension converter that looks like a deraileaur, you can still run a front derailleaur.<BR/><BR/>Good Luck!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-58281225422605571722008-12-21T17:30:00.000-05:002008-12-21T17:30:00.000-05:00Ever since SA was purchased by SunRace, the qualit...Ever since SA was purchased by SunRace, the quality has become merde. I had a Dahon Vitesse with the five-speed SA rear hub. I never could keep it adjusted; three other local mechanics couldn't, either.<BR/><BR/>And I had one of those SRAM internally geared hubs with a casette, which gave 21 speeds. The internal gear was always slipping, no matter how much I adjusted it. That almost got me into a serious accident once when I was pedalling home at a good clip and the gear shifted, then mired between gears, throwing me off the saddle and my left foot off the pedal.<BR/><BR/>And, finally, I rode a Nexus hub until it died after two winters. And, along the way, it broke a lot of spokes. I've noticed that on its internal-geared hubs, Shimano has always tended to make the hub flanges too thin.<BR/><BR/>Chris, I think if you could have a good, reliable internally-geared hub made--and sell it at a reasonable cost--the Nobel committee would start a new category for bicycling and you'd be the inagural laureate. Of course that scenario is predicated on my becoming the chair of the Nobel committee. We can always dream, can't we?<BR/><BR/>Anyway, you're doing great things for the cycling community. Allez Chris et Tom!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-61075154186768011152008-12-21T16:06:00.000-05:002008-12-21T16:06:00.000-05:00Stinus.b,Just curious, but how much are those Pile...Stinus.b,<BR/><BR/>Just curious, but how much are those Pilen bicycles? It looks like they made more right choices than other bikes I've come across (I prefer the largest possible tires, and most bikes will not accommodate them. Big Apples are wonderful).<BR/><BR/>And are the SA dynamo hubs really that good? I recall reading a comparison, can't find it now, that had the latest Shimano dynamo hubs scoring quite well.<BR/><BR/>Maybe someone in the US could be convinced to carry them :-).dr2chasehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16320828055999939449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-22131072825351593852008-12-20T13:03:00.000-05:002008-12-20T13:03:00.000-05:00on internal gear hubs:i work in a copenhagen, denm...on internal gear hubs:<BR/><BR/>i work in a copenhagen, denmark bike shop selling manly internal geared bikes (95% of bikes sold) whit out a doth i can say that SRAM is much better that SA or Shimano - the 3 speed is the i re make of the best internal gear hub ever the german torpedo 3speed hub. <BR/>the 5 and 8 speed hubs is okay but not as stable, they can some time freeze in hard winter (but still way better quality than SA or shimano)<BR/>the sram cluster-brake 5 speed cargo hub is tough and heavy- and a real work horse!<BR/><BR/>please don't go for SA or SHIMANO fore gearhubs<BR/><BR/>whit dynamo hubs the SA is the right one! we use them on our flagship the pilen bike (www.pilencykel.se) and we don't really have any problems whit them.. only pleasure <BR/><BR/>best regardsstinus.bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11958528541652093345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-62869457697315598582008-12-19T21:16:00.000-05:002008-12-19T21:16:00.000-05:00""...$4000 Phil spoke cutter..."But don't you want...""...$4000 Phil spoke cutter..."<BR/><BR/>But don't you want one anyway?"<BR/><BR/>On reading this, I sure do.<BR/><BR/>And I would just as soon leave wheel building duties with my LBS.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-32457802923106062032008-12-19T20:00:00.000-05:002008-12-19T20:00:00.000-05:00Mr. Anonymous - I am aware of that, I have been co...Mr. Anonymous - I am aware of that, I have been considering internal geared hubs for some time. The problem is that to suit me, I would need a chainring that was somewhat smaller than the cog, if the lowest gear is 1:1. Maybe that's ok, but that means an everyday chainring smaller than my current granny ring, which had not seen use for months before today (I had to slog through some inches of snow over frozen slush and mud).<BR/><BR/>The riding-the-spine guys also gave the S-A 8-speed hub a poor review, or so I recall.dr2chasehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16320828055999939449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-89694174367029058312008-12-19T19:46:00.000-05:002008-12-19T19:46:00.000-05:00I'm pretty sure current SA 8 speeds or whatever th...I'm pretty sure current SA 8 speeds or whatever they are come in two versions: normal gearing and the one meant for bikes with 20 inch wheels like recumbents and folders. Information on their products seems sketchy.<BR/><BR/>The Hubstripping site's data on the Nexus 8 gear steps is confusing and in my opinion wildly overstated. The graph is a textbook example of misleading presentation. Yes, the steps are not as even as one usually finds in, say, and 8 speed cassette, but I've never noticed it being a problem. I've got a couple of "custom" cassettes I've put together for various reasons that are just as uneven, and they are fine.<BR/><BR/>I think the drum brake-internal hub and dyno wheelset idea is great. Excellent set up for a commuter, among other things.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-5142641210041122272008-12-19T19:18:00.000-05:002008-12-19T19:18:00.000-05:00DR2Chase and David, The gearing on an 8 speed SA h...DR2Chase and David, The gearing on an 8 speed SA hub has an over 300% range in pretty even steps. It is almost exactly the same as a Shimano 8 speed hub. You must pick the chain ring or cog that suits you. The gearing on a hub is only wrong if you choose the wrong cog for your riding style.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24415034.post-11139449488952276402008-12-19T18:51:00.000-05:002008-12-19T18:51:00.000-05:00Thanks for the acknowledgment regarding wheelsets ...Thanks for the acknowledgment regarding wheelsets for dyno and internal hubs. I think it will serve your core audience in the future.<BR/><BR/>I must stress that there is a nuance regarding Sturmey-Archer's hubs. The old chain pull style shifters usually have a 'thinner' over lock nut dimension (O.L.D.) usually in the 107-120mm range.<BR/><BR/>Newer rotary shift 3 speed hubs (C30 Group) are wider, in the 130-5mm range.<BR/><BR/>This becomes a factor for commuter bikes, as an OLD of 130-135mm is more likely to accommodate fatter tires AND fenders.<BR/><BR/>The catch-22 is that while the newer rotary shift hubs will fit nicely into current frame geometries (aka Surly Crosscheck et al) and probably give better shifting, the C30 group is almost impossible to purchase!<BR/><BR/>I had to purchase my RX-RD3 hub from Germany (and it was clearly an sales sample with dings, and no packaging, no appurtenances nor manual). S-A USA is not that interested in stocking rotary shift 3 speeds until they deplete other stocks of chain pull shifting hubs (open ended statement, theirs not mine).<BR/><BR/>I don't know if the situation is the same with the 5 and 8 speed bikes, but is an issue to be aware of.<BR/><BR/>Hopefully Velo Orange can leverage their contacts with Taiwan and get these hubs direct from S-A at a good price.keithwwalkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11808096138218041326noreply@blogger.com