----- Original Message ----- From: "flying_scot" <flying_scot@btopenworld.com> To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Sent: Friday, December 26, 2003 7:26 PM Subject: [CR]Old vs New
> Nice as it would be, most team managers I'd expect would fire or at best
> relegate to the team coach the rider who couldn't beat the man on the 65
> year-old Rudge, given the mass-produced machines weight and the slowness
of
> the S-A gear change and the need to ease-off between shifts !
Really? I thought one never had to "ease off" when changing gears on any of the SA racing and club gears, the AM, FM and AC and FC...and I believe they were specifically designed that way. I never ease-off shifting with these. Heck, the FC is so swift and sublime in its gear changes, you don't even know you've done it. Until you've overtaken the other bloke. The brochures touted what you got "instantaneous gear changing". You do have ease off the wide ratio hubs like the AW and FW.
And I'll match an SA gear change in speed and positive action against any derailleur out there. I must say I have always marvelled at how anyone got the idea of changing gears by dragging and dumping the chain from one spocket to other!! Rube Goldberg methinks. Derailleurs have one great advantage: they cost a lot less than a SA hub gear to manufacture. But alas it's an arguement long lost.
So, if Hilary Stone will provide me with a mint '38 Rudge-Whitworth Aero-Olympic (in Rudge maroon and 23" frame if you can manage it), close ratio AR25/3 hub, I'll take on all comers... name the time and place, gentlemen.
Peter Kohler
Washington, DC USA