>I recently found a '57 Sturmey Archer SW hub that I am evaluating for a
>project, my '38 Schwinn Superior. I have all the original parts for the
>Superior but it came with the worst hub option, a simple coaster brake hub.
I've gotta ask, what's so wrong with a coaster brake. Your bike most
likley came with a New Departure model D which is a fine hub that spins
well and brakes well. You said it best in your post, coaster brakes are
"simple."
>Does anyone know how truly fragile these are? In other words should I use
>this working example or let it be a museum piece. Any tips on use? I
>presume it is bad news to hammer in 1st gear.
With the above said I must add the SW is a fine hub and will give you most of the gearing options you need. I've heard about the fragility of SW so I've used S-A 5 speeds locked into the wide position. I'm not sure if the 5-speed is the same gain ratio as the AW, but it is a nice wide spread of gears. I know a few people who run this setup and ride them hard without the problems associated with the AW. IF you want to keep the bike closer to spec you might look for a Bendix or New Departure lever action 2-speed, though both are coaster brake. Schwinns had lots of options at that time, but I'm not the man to ask about "period correct" Schwinns.
enjoy, Brandon Ives
Brandon and Mitzi's-- "Wurld uv Wunder"
http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nobody can do everything,
but if everybody did something
everything would get done.
-Gil Scott Heron-
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!