internal gear hub questions

[X-RAY]

i have a 20" freestyle bmx im thinking about putting a 3 speed rear hub in. i know it sounds weird, but im not planning on hot-doggin it, just normal riding. can a coaster brake be removed from the hub and used like a normal hub? why are new hubs cheaper with the coaster? would it still freewheel or be fixed without the coaster?

 

[deorman]

If you remove the brake components, there will be nothing to keep the bendix from pushing the drive cone out of place. Freewheel hubs have a ratcheting mechanism instead.

 

[2manybikes]

Why not just find a 3 speed hub with no brake? They are a lot more common than the coaster brake hubs. If you use a 36 spoke rear rim then I think I have a Sturmey Archer 3 speed that would work.