Gear Advice Please

[Dogbreath]

A year + ago I acquired a cheap BSA Wayfarer ( http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/classic- ... yfarer.jpg ), basically in tatty condition, stripped it down, she's at the local metal shop after media blast and orange powder coat, also added a set of 26" 1 3/8th westwood rims (powdered orange, cream tyres) so after hub brakes etc.

I bought a 46 tooth

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... _500wt_922

Was thinking of going with one of these

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sturmey-Archer-S2 ... 566wt_1139

I already have a unused XRD3...20 tooth that I could use too.

What are peoples thoughts about the gear if you dont mind?

Handlebar thoughts too, was thinking Guvnor style north road

Pick the frame, forks and rims up tomorrow, quite excited...

 

[keithglos]

I'm guessing you are US based, and know that you will need a 36 hole rim, surely does not matter if endrick or westwood. The gear hub has an increase of 38%, so the choice of cog depends on the local hills, if you have a 20 start on that. In the old UK notation, a 60 inch gear.

 

[Dogbreath]

Thanks for the reply, UK based to be honest. No major hills where I live, i'm just trying to figure out if those sorts of ratios will be tough really.

Not quite sure what 60" means...gulp

Yep, 36h hubs and rims...should be fine

 

[keithglos]

Can you tell me what sizes of chainwheels and cogs that you have now that are OK?
I should mention that I was a cycle retailer in the 1950/60 era, and sold BSA,raleigh and repaired most types. Not only racing/lightweights.

 

[Dogbreath]

Cheers Keith...front is

46 Tooth 170MM

Hubs

XRD3 is 20Tooth

S2C looks to be 19 Tooth so similar

 

[keithglos]

So you have +33% and minus 25%. On the 2 speed a 19 gives you a slightly higher low gear than the middle gear of the 3 speed, approx 5% higher. The 2 speed upper ratio is about 10% higher than the 3 speed high gear.
Hope this helps.
Old gear charts were always in inches, equivalent to the diameter of the front wheel of an old ordinary.