3sp coaster brake, need a hand brake too for safety?

[Philphine]

i've grabbed a couple of 3sp coaster brake rims for projects, and i see the bikes they're on always have at least a front brake on them. i haven't messed with this type of hub much, and not in a really long time when i did, but i thought i remembered that you can kind of get bettween gears and freewheel.

am i remembering right? do i need a hand brake for backup? one of my projects has a springer front so i'd need to find a drum or disc to get a front brake on it. it's a stretch (surprise surprise) so i'd need a lot more cable to reach the rear, and i'd rather have a front anyway if i need to do it.

so do i need it? thanks for any help.

 

[user 135]

Should not need it. Nexus's come with a 7speed coaster brake that don't come with front brakes.

 

[Philphine]

that's a newer design though isn't it? the same would apply for an older one? mine are a shimano and a sturmey archer i got off some older girls bikes (i already have a hand brake on the bike getting the shimano though. my faux fixie project).

 

[user 135]

on something with skinnier tires a front brake is a good idea. But fatter tire cruisers I would not worry.

 

[Rustinkerer]

It's the older Sturmey hubs that lose brakes in between gears. I don't think the Shimanos work that way. -Adam

 

[Wildcat]

I've used Shimano and Sturmey Archer, and I have a Sachs I will be putting many miles on. One of the Sturmey Archer 3 speed w coaster did have a neutral point where the brakes wouldn't work. That was the TCW. It was replaced with the S3C, that's the one I've used a lot and never had a brake failure. The model should be on the hub shell. However, on all the older 3 speeds, there is not a lot of brake surface, so the brakes aren't as good as a regular one speed hub. I would recommend a front handbrake, although my 53 Schwinn doesn't have them on yet. Only a drum brake will go on my forks.

 

[Bigcam59]

It's nice to have a front handbrake to hold the bike still at lights while you wait with your foot in the power to the pedal position. 8)

 

[flemrasm]

Re: 3sp coaster brake, need a hand brake too for safety?
by Bigcam59 on Tue Aug 10, 2010 7:27 pm

It's nice to have a front handbrake to hold the bike still at lights while you wait with your foot in the power to the pedal position.

..or when you loose your chain down a steep hill.. ofcourse you can always just jam your foot between the forklegs.. unless your using fenders

flemming

 

[deorman]

With a 3-spd, there's a pretty good chance you'll be spinning up some good speed going downhill. As well as speed, the chance of chain or rear cog loss is increased during pedaling, compared to just rolling on a plain coaster. Also, on many 3-spds, the brake in high gear goes from doing nothing to locking up, with very little in between. I'd add the front brake if you can.

 

[Philphine]

i finally looked at the hub and it's a s3c hub.

i guess i'll keep and eye out for a front brake idea. kinda wanted one anyway since i'm knda thinking it's going to kinda be female bike. don't want to skimp on safety.