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@Fixed&Broken
Bit of a left-field one but here goes... I own a 2009 plug, I've run it fixed and SS and enjoyed it a lot. Recently I decided I wanted something more solid for off road jaunts so built up an old DMR Trailstar2 frame off flea-bay with a nice mix of new parts. I spent far to much money really and it's not turned out quite how I hoped and I'm realising that urban living and fat muddy bikes don't mix well. I'm seriously looking to split the MTB and sell it on as parts, from this I should be able to pull ~£250. The other option is to sell the plug for a more XC MTB Frame.
As much as I love my Plug my knees complain when I ride fixed (42x17) unless I use brakes and when I ride SS (42x16) I find I want a bit more top end and something to get me up the hills. The solution would seem to be going for a 3 speed Sturmey. Having looked at SJS the AW3 is ~£70, the one that's really interesting though is the X-RD3 which is the same gearing as an AW3 but with a 70mm drum brake for ~£80. This also includes the nicer shifter and pretty much all the mounting HW I'd need. My LBS builds a nice wheel so built up with a decent rim I'm looking at ~£150 for the back end.
My questions:
Is this a totally mad idea?
Will the use of a torsion bar with a track end dropout be more trouble than it's worth?
Are the Sturmey drum brakes canti or v pull? I read canti but that they take a lot of pull. Could I use my Avid SD levers with drums?
Any ideas on gearing for direct drive? 42x17 is good for most things (~62") and I'm not looking for a stupid high end gear, I'd rather have more for the hills at the bottom end.
Has anyone managed to get 35mm cross tyres to fit on the standard Plug frame?
Ultimately if I went this route I'd look to build up a front wheel with the 90mm drum brake. Intended use is urban roads and light trails/towpath so probably looking at 32mm tyres most of the time.