Sturmey Archer S2C/S2

I'm quite surprised to find absolutely no posts on either of these two hubs (okay, I know its a single speed forum)

But has anyone had any experience in these?

I going to get one of them but cannot decide between them, and the only way to decide is to talk with people who have had first hand experience.

Basically the S2 is a 2 geared freewheel hub - so would need a rear and front rim brake.

The S2C is a 2 geared hub with coaster brake - so will only require a front rim brake.

What are coasters like? And would it be safer to go for the S2 with a rear rim brake (albeit about £20 more altogether).

Regards
Nick

I've got one, and been riding it for a couple of days. Takes a little getting used to with how far you need to kick back to change gear but after a few miles it's second nature.

I've got the S2C and your more than welcome to come try it out!

coaster brakes can be excellent, the Sachs coaster as fitted to the old duomatic (on which the new Sturmey is based) is very good, i have a bike with a Sachs torpedo hub (with the same brake unit) and the braking's great, really powerful but good modulation (and it works just the same in the rain, unlike a rim brake) the old Sturmey coaster units were dogshit though, so if the S2C is based on a sachs unit it'll be great but if it's the old sturmey design again it won't... give it a punt i reckon, sturmey quality is way better than it was in the '70s (just not as good as it was in the '50s)..

Cheers for the heads up guys

Cheesecake - I might just take you up on that offer if its okay? Im based over Islington way and work round Farringdon, but obviously mobile.

Nick

Coaster brakes are absolutely fantastic.

Coaster brakes are loads of fun!

I can't seem to find the info on the Sturmey site - what spacing is the S2C hub, 120mm?

116mm But you can space it out to 126, 130 at a push.

Your more than welcome to try it out, ive actually taken the bike back down south now, to Brighton, but your more than welcome to pop down for an ice cream and have a spin!

116mm But you can space it out to 126, 130 at a push.

Cheers man.

Ah okay. Thanks for the offer tho man

Don't suppose anyone a little nearer has one I can test ride?

nim, speak to edscoble, he is a preacher for the old coaster brake hub,
think they have been discussed in current projects and porteur bike threads, current projects might be a tad long to trawl through though.

just ordered one to build into a weekend wheel, makes the hills easier on the club rides of a Sunday morning

I've use and ridden the S2C, already had a wheel build with it if you want to try it on your bike.

All I can says is that the coaster on the S2C work a lots better than the others which often have poor modulation after a while, but the S2C bite really well and the change required slightly more effort than the old torpedo hubs (a slight tap is enough), but still work perfectly well.

the S2C hubs is worth getting, it will take a while for you to get used to it but after that it's perfectly fine.

if you want the top range to have 67GI (average for a singlespeed/fixed wheel bicycle), you'd need something like 50GI on the lower range.

that hub is listed as close to 1.5 kg. does it feel noticeably heavier when built up on the bike. its half a kilo heavier then the s3x and that thing felt heavy.

The hubs is indeed heavy, but because it's on the centre of the wheel, you won't feel it when riding.

Do not forget to account for the weight of the rear brake with levers and cable though, so it's moot either way.

I've use and ridden the S2C, already had a wheel build with it if you want to try it on your bike.

All I can says is that the coaster on the S2C work a lots better than the others which often have poor modulation after a while, but the S2C bite really well and the change required slightly more effort than the old torpedo hubs (a slight tap is enough), but still work perfectly well.

the S2C hubs is worth getting, it will take a while for you to get used to it but after that it's perfectly fine.

if you want the top range to have 67GI (average for a singlespeed/fixed wheel bicycle), you'd need something like 50GI on the lower range.

kind offer ed. but you'd never get it back I fear!

figuring the gearing did my head in but I got there in the end. I think. I'm thinking of 42 x 20 (ish) with 700c wheel 28mm tyre giving 56" in direct drive. Only downside is 42 x 18+ means a new chain. Current one isn't long enough, but that is how OTP bikes work I guess.

Oddly enough 56" is almost exactly the gearing on my Strida (a bizarre looking but otherwise rather nifty folder I ride every day) and I know what hills I can get up on that; given you can't honk on a Strida I'm guessing steeper stuff will be doable with the S2C whilst out of the saddle.

I think to build a wheel with this hub and CXP22 rims...but I ride a lot, 25 miles every day and 50-60 miles the weekends...Would this hub last more than my Formula fixed hubs???

Stefano, it will be fine, and incidentally my wheel is build with the same rims, I ride the same amount of miles as you, apart from weekend where I work.

Ed - I'd like to take you up on that offer if thats okay, and I know you must be fairly local.

Im still interested in getting on so this would be a perfect test for me :-)

Let me know when we can arrange

Nick

As I type, under my desk is a complete S2C wheel handbuilt by the lovely wheelbuilders at SJS with DT Competition Spokes and a Halo Aero Rage rim. At the other end is a matching 32H rim a hub and six packets of 285mm spokes. I'm about to take the plunge and build my own front wheel. (once I've got a couple of tools bought and a truing stand knocked up/begged/stole or borrowed)

But Greg, you ask, why isn't the new wheel in the frame and ready to rock and roll? Some numpty forgot to bring a spanner into work this morning,that's why!

any idea as to who will sell pre-built 700c wheels with an S2? obviously I can always ask someone to build a new wheel

Better off getting it build for you, Mavic Open pro with butted spokes will be perfectly fine and robust for everything.

Seriously considering building up an S2C for longer rides. What are they like when operating in non-direct mode - much noise? Would probably have the top gear about 74"

s2 (without coaster brake) not available as yet as far as i know, i can get s2c (s2 maybe i'll have to check) and build on 700c (or anything else) if anyone's interested.

you'll need to pick a 36 hole rim - i can exal and charinas Ok (open pro in size shape/ style , black, silver, polish ) and probably getting some exal 17 lxs - like mavic 119 317 719 or whatever the medium touring rims are. anything else i'd have to source else where.

same goes for s3x hub

PM me if interested.

checked this out today - s2 and s2c both available

I'm tempted by the S2C, I used to run a coaster on a singlespeed. But would you gear the direct drive the same as your current gearing and have a bigger gear for downhill or add a bailout out gear? Is there any noticeable "drag" when in the bigger gear?