Subject: Re: Old Shimano 3-speed hub Posted by: Dale on May 15, 2002 at 12:23:01: In Reply to: Old Shimano 3-speed hub posted by Pete Jacobsen on December 14, 2001 at 13:30:43:

Message: Three speeds are great. Shimano three speeds aren't so great. Not only are they hard to reassemble (not so terrible once you learn the balancing act), but they will not survive heavy use. If the user is over, say, 160 lbs. or the bike will be subjected to hard use, don't use it. On the plus side, the Shimano hub doesn't have a "neutral" spot between second and third. So if your gearshift goes out of adjustment, it won't skip. This makes the hub especially good for children. But then, only oddballs like me convert their kid's bikes to three speeds. That said, I do second the vote for the Sturmey Archer.