adding gears to a fixed frame

moonshine
moonshine Posts: 1,021
edited February 2019 in Road general
i've ridden fixed for years but i'm wondering about changing my fixed commuter / winter bike to a geared (or 3 speed fixed?) setup - the issue is the bike has no cable mounts, so cabling and shifter are going to be an issye.

its a Kona paddy wagon frame with drops and f/r brakes - 120mm rear spacing - what are my options?

8sp internal or 3 sppeed fixed, Sturmley archer hub ? Shimano nexus 11sp? anyideas or suggestions
thanks

Comments

  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    You can rule out most hub gears, as they generally have an OLD of 127mm or more, certainly Alfine, Nexus and the Rohloff systems do. Not sure about Sturmey Archer. Even then, you're going to have problems with cabling if there are no cable stops. Probably easier to replace the frame, or just leave the single speed as is and get a new bike..
  • moonshine
    moonshine Posts: 1,021
    Imposter wrote:
    You can rule out most hub gears, as they generally have an OLD of 127mm or more, certainly Alfine, Nexus and the Rohloff systems do. Not sure about Sturmey Archer. Even then, you're going to have problems with cabling if there are no cable stops. Probably easier to replace the frame, or just leave the single speed as is and get a new bike..
    That kinda confirms what I thought... :( I was hoping I had missed something obvious... :(
  • antonyfromoz
    antonyfromoz Posts: 482
    It only adds one gear but it does come in some pretty cool colours: https://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/componen ... gIw9fD_BwE

    And Tredz has it built into a wheel too: https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Halo-Aerorage- ... um=422173#
  • antonyfromoz
    antonyfromoz Posts: 482
    antonyfromoz wrote:
    It only adds one gear but it does come in some pretty cool colours: https://www.tritoncycles.co.uk/componen ... gIw9fD_BwE

    And Tredz has it built into a wheel too: https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Halo-Aerorage- ... um=422173#

    Just seen this review - looks like it was well received (and no cables required): https://road.cc/content/review/33373-st ... kshift-hub
  • figbat
    figbat Posts: 680
    If you run a continuous cable outer from the shifter to the mech then presumably all you need is something to hold the cable in place, like cable ties or those sticky-backed cable guides?

    That said, this is probably the easiest issue to overcome.
    Cube Reaction GTC Pro 29 for the lumpy stuff
    Cannondale Synapse alloy with 'guards for the winter roads
    Fuji Altamira 2.7 for the summer roads
    Trek 830 Mountain Track frame turned into a gravel bike - for anywhere & everywhere
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    figbat wrote:
    If you run a continuous cable outer from the shifter to the mech then presumably all you need is something to hold the cable in place, like cable ties or those sticky-backed cable guides?

    That said, this is probably the easiest issue to overcome.

    It's a 120mm track frame - there is no derailleur mount and no option to run a freehub.
  • figbat
    figbat Posts: 680
    Imposter wrote:
    figbat wrote:
    If you run a continuous cable outer from the shifter to the mech then presumably all you need is something to hold the cable in place, like cable ties or those sticky-backed cable guides?

    That said, this is probably the easiest issue to overcome.

    It's a 120mm track frame - there is no derailleur mount and no option to run a freehub.

    D'OH! I was focussing on the shifting and forgot about the gears.

    How about replacing the crankset with a three-ring version and adding a front mech? No idea how this might work in terms of chain lines and you'll obviously need some kind of chain tensioner. Actually, never mind.
    Cube Reaction GTC Pro 29 for the lumpy stuff
    Cannondale Synapse alloy with 'guards for the winter roads
    Fuji Altamira 2.7 for the summer roads
    Trek 830 Mountain Track frame turned into a gravel bike - for anywhere & everywhere
  • Matthewfalle
    Matthewfalle Posts: 17,380
    any weird mechs that have the hanger as part of the mech?

    cable runs etc are no problem at all - its just the mech hanger.
    Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am

    De Sisti wrote:
    This is one of the silliest threads I've come across. :lol:

    Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honour :D
    smithy21 wrote:

    He's right you know.
  • Matthewfalle
    Matthewfalle Posts: 17,380
    would this hanger work?

    https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/gear-spares ... r-bracket/
    Postby team47b » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:53 am

    De Sisti wrote:
    This is one of the silliest threads I've come across. :lol:

    Recognition at last Matthew, well done!, a justified honour :D
    smithy21 wrote:

    He's right you know.
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    It's a 120mm OLD frame - there is not a freehub in existence that will fit. So fitting a mech hanger to it is kinda irrelevant...
  • photonic69
    photonic69 Posts: 2,416
    This might work:

    https://ebay.us/SzJnBV

    117mm between dropouts.


    Sometimes. Maybe. Possibly.

  • cycleclinic
    cycleclinic Posts: 6,865
    Sturney archer 5 speed will fit. so will a 3 speed. they come in the required OLD.
    http://www.thecycleclinic.co.uk -wheel building and other stuff.
  • moonshine
    moonshine Posts: 1,021
    thecycleclinic wrote:
    Sturney archer 5 speed will fit. so will a 3 speed. they come in the required OLD.
    Thanks. I'll have a look.
    Iirc dturmley archer used to do a 3 speed fixed but I can't see it any more on their website. Must have been dropped.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,248
    Sturmey Archer for a Brompton is 112 mm or so... with 4 mm of spacers per side it should work fine. I am trying to think of a good reason why the hub won't be good for bigger wheels, but I can't come up with anything. It won't be the stiffest wheel, but being symmetric it will probably still be stiffer than most dished road wheels.

    I know people have fitted Alfine to a Brompton, so there must be that option too
    left the forum March 2023
  • Alejandrosdog
    Alejandrosdog Posts: 1,975
    you will need to buy a sturmey archer hub (or similar), spokes, nipples and possibly a rim too. some washers to add as spacers. If youre OCD like me you'll need to build a new front wheel too.

    A changer, cable outer, cable inner and some zip ties. Maybe also new bar tape.

    if you havent got them already ..... spoke keys and drivers in the right size, wheel building/ truing stand, dishing tool/gauge and some patience.

    seems like a fun project but is it worth it? theres £200 of components at least. Still you could get in the garage this weekend with the telly on watching the season openers, drinking beer and fiddling with your bike! whats not to like.
  • moonshine
    moonshine Posts: 1,021
    Am i right in reading this?
    does this Sturmley 8sp hub IGH S80 (W) come in 120 spacing?
    X-RF8 (W) - Over Locknut Dimension 120mm, Axle Length 175mm
    http://www.sturmey-archer.com/files/catalog/files/35/SPECIFICATIONS%20-%20IGH%20S80%20(W).pdf
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,248
    moonshine wrote:
    Am i right in reading this?
    does this Sturmley 8sp hub IGH S80 (W) come in 120 spacing?
    X-RF8 (W) - Over Locknut Dimension 120mm, Axle Length 175mm
    http://www.sturmey-archer.com/files/catalog/files/35/SPECIFICATIONS%20-%20IGH%20S80%20(W).pdf

    yep
    left the forum March 2023
  • moonshine
    moonshine Posts: 1,021
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    moonshine wrote:
    Am i right in reading this?
    does this Sturmley 8sp hub IGH S80 (W) come in 120 spacing?
    X-RF8 (W) - Over Locknut Dimension 120mm, Axle Length 175mm
    http://www.sturmey-archer.com/files/catalog/files/35/SPECIFICATIONS%20-%20IGH%20S80%20(W).pdf

    yep

    Cheers! :)
  • Alejandrosdog
    Alejandrosdog Posts: 1,975
    it makes me feel like theres hope for the future when i see companies like Sturmey Archer still around

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