On Apr 15, 9:30*pm, Ryan Cousineau wrote:
In article
,

*landotter wrote:
On Apr 15, 6:01 pm, Jeff Welch wrote:
I have an old huffy 3-speed, my best guess is that it is from the
1970's. *I'm just learning how to maintain and repair my own bike, and
was wondering if it is possible to convert the current Shimano 3-speed
hub to one of their new Nexus 7-speed hubs. *Where would I start to
figure out if it's even possible? *(Tire size, frame fork, something
else?)

Sure, it's possible. A Sturmey Archer hub might be a better choice for
that frame spacing, if you don't want to spread it. Plenty of options
with and without brakes.

To elaborate, you'll almost certainly want to build a new wheel around
the Nexus hub, so just find out what the old wheel size was (you can
easily determine that from the tire markings or by taking it to a
half-competent LBS), and spec the necessary rim from there.


To elaborate tangentially from there, the rim is likely an "26 x 1
3/8" EA3 size, or 590mm, which is right inbetween "road" and "mtb"
size wheels. A common and good version is the Sun Cr-18. It's polished
aluminum, and looks great on restored rides:
http://www.bikemannetwork.com/biking/p/RM8494

27" rims are also readily available.

If you're super lucky, though, and the bike is an actual mtb size
26" (559mm), then you can purchase a pre-built Nexus wheel for less
than the sum of the parts.

One last thing to consider if you want retro with zero work, you can
get the really cool Schwinn "Coffee" for $250 in a single speed, and
the three speed retails for around $370. Checked one out at my LBS.
Looks retro from a distance, but rides like a modern bike. Sweet!

http://bikesfortherestofus.blogspot....e-cruiser.html