hub gears
Not My Favourite Job
Today I was reminded why I'm not overly fond of derailleur gears. The bicycle came in for a service with the gears not working at all. The rear gear cable was seized and the outer casing was kinked and broken. The rear derailleur itself was totally gummed up with a sticky, muddy goo. I ended […]
1947 Sturmey Archer AW
I bought this hub at a very nice price on eBay. Had a problem with the seller not accepting my PayPal payment, but that's another story. The hub is a Sturmey Archer AW from 1947. It was described by the seller as untested, which sometimes means there is a problem that the seller is unwilling […]
Sturmey Archer TF 2-speed
Defeated by a free-wheel for the first time in my life! The wretched thing just wouldn't turn no matter what I did! The hub was made in 1933 and the free-wheel could well have been fitted at around that time. It had to come off and I tried every trick that I knew (and I […]
Sturmey Archer Course an Outstanding Success
Today saw the launch of the Colwood Wheel Works Sturmey Archer Course. Two students undertook tuition on dismantling, rebuilding, repairing and restoring Sturmey Archer hubs. The course covered a large amount of practical hands on work. Both students were very happy with what they had learnt and the way the course was run. I am […]
Buying Hubs on eBay
I've been on eBay again, buying a few hubs that will be useful for the Sturmey Archer Course. One of the hubs is a AG 3-speed with dynamo. It is dated November 1959. Apart from the sprocket (which is no better than scrap metal) the hub is in beautiful condition. I love working on hubs […]
Beginners Welcome
My seven year old daughter was interested in knowing what I was going to teach people, so I took her into the workshop and showed her. Within half an hour of tuition she was dismantling and rebuilding the AW hub on her own, and adjusting it correctly. No previous experience is necessary, just a willingness […]
12-speed derailleur to 3-speed AW conversion
My friend, Rod, needs a bike. The most suitable bike in my garage is a 12-speed Peugeot in very poor condition. Today I have been in the workshop with Rod getting this bike ready to ride. However he doesn't want 12 gears and would rather have a 3-speed hub gear. (Obviously my enthusiasm for hub […]