Evil Rabbit
New Member
After reading various posts I thought I would have a go and fit a Strumpy Archer S2C hub to my On-One Pomi frame. No reason, other than it seemed like it might be fun.
For those not aware it is a 2-speed coaster hub. A slight back pedal and it switches between the high and low gear. Pedal a bit more backwards and it brakes (as in a traditional coaster brake). Importantly it means no cable to run on the bike to change gear - on a single speed it just drops in.
First step was getting some wheels built, which I did with some Mavic Openpro rims, DTSwiss champion spokes and the SA hubs - a standard front and the 2 speed coaster in the rear.
Paul Jones (highly recommend) built the wheels for me and was very helpful: you can contact him on "yellowsweep@hotmail.com". PM me, if you want his phone number.
Fitting was relatively easy (even after me being dumb with the washers) and only required a fraction of pinching on the On-One steel frame.
Showing the black brake arm connected to the chainstay for the coaster brake
As to what is it like to ride, well as my grandmother used to say (with no sexual connotations): " it is a queer thing, to be sure.."
If you come from riding fixie then the braking is very quick; if not expect to skid a lot when you start. I also find the change of gear overly sensitive, so early on found myself braking when trying to change up or down.
The weight increase is noticeable if you pick the bike up, but not on the move; overall it does not feel like a heavier bike. However, there does seems to be noticeable resistance in the hub, so more effort is spent geting anywhere, which does bug me but it might just be my imagination.
Is it worth it over a SS/fixie ? IMO, in practical, terms not really. The gear ratio is only 138%. If it could somehow do 3 or 5 gears and a bigger ratio (without a cable change) then it might have more use. To me it is more a fun, even a novelty, thing - but I do enjoy riding it.
For those not aware it is a 2-speed coaster hub. A slight back pedal and it switches between the high and low gear. Pedal a bit more backwards and it brakes (as in a traditional coaster brake). Importantly it means no cable to run on the bike to change gear - on a single speed it just drops in.
First step was getting some wheels built, which I did with some Mavic Openpro rims, DTSwiss champion spokes and the SA hubs - a standard front and the 2 speed coaster in the rear.
Paul Jones (highly recommend) built the wheels for me and was very helpful: you can contact him on "yellowsweep@hotmail.com". PM me, if you want his phone number.
Fitting was relatively easy (even after me being dumb with the washers) and only required a fraction of pinching on the On-One steel frame.
Showing the black brake arm connected to the chainstay for the coaster brake
As to what is it like to ride, well as my grandmother used to say (with no sexual connotations): " it is a queer thing, to be sure.."
If you come from riding fixie then the braking is very quick; if not expect to skid a lot when you start. I also find the change of gear overly sensitive, so early on found myself braking when trying to change up or down.
The weight increase is noticeable if you pick the bike up, but not on the move; overall it does not feel like a heavier bike. However, there does seems to be noticeable resistance in the hub, so more effort is spent geting anywhere, which does bug me but it might just be my imagination.
Is it worth it over a SS/fixie ? IMO, in practical, terms not really. The gear ratio is only 138%. If it could somehow do 3 or 5 gears and a bigger ratio (without a cable change) then it might have more use. To me it is more a fun, even a novelty, thing - but I do enjoy riding it.
