Paul Patzkowsky wrote:
Today as I looked over my collection of SA hubs I realized that I had only one AC hub. I also realized that it is the only one that I have ever seen anywhere, excepting Tony Hadland's book, anytime. We all fuss over the occasional ASC on Ebay but their numbers seem to exceed the AC by quite abit. Are the AC's less common than the ASC?
----------- The AC was a 3-speed, close-ratio hub, with 6.66% over normal for top gear and 7.7% below for low gear (1.066:1.0:0.93). S/A designated it as a time-trial hub. We're talking about the equivalent on a derailleur bike of the difference between roughly a 16 and a 15 FW. The AC coasts.
I think it would be fun to have one in the drawer, but I'm not at a stage in life in which I would have much other use for it - a close ratio "corncob" FW will lose less power. On the other hand, the ASC is a true fixed gear unit that gives me 3 (at least marginally) distinct gears (1:0.9:0.75) and is a blast to ride. In particular, it's versatility allows me some hope hope of staying with some of the older kids, relative to my "straight" fixed gear.
So, the AC may be much more rare and a very elegant beastie, calling us back to the days of monomaniacal (and masochistic) British time-trialers, but that does not by itself make it more desirable to me.
Your preferences may vary.
harvey sachs
mcLean va