----- Original Message ----- From: "cmontgomery" <cmontgomery15@cox.net> To: <kohl57@starpower.net>; <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Sent: Tuesday, March 01, 2005 10:37 PM Subject: Re: [CR]Sturmey Archer FC hub steel shell?
> I pulled out my Hadland and he says the FC, introduced in 1947, came in
both
> flavors. The alloy saved 4 ounces over the steel.
>
> Craig Montgomery, Tucson
> still reeling up my jaw after seeing that $600 winning bid for the FC
Thanks... my question was prompted when I received (at work and sans magnet to make the obvious test) a NOS 4.49 dated FC hub won on eBay (UK) which proved to indeed have an alloy shell (introduced I believe that year) which was without the traditional "alloy" stamping under "four-speed". Maybe this was typical of the earlier examples?
This cost me £142 ($242) which is breathtaking enough (I am reduced to writing again for a British magazine just to earn sterling to get around the ruinous exchange rates) but an FC in excess of $600... wow!
Then again, to the few of us here who like SA hubs, especially the sexy medium and close-ratio ones, the FC surely reigns supreme in sublime, swift smoothness. Just the ticket for my '48 RRA in time for spring and smoking all those derailleur machines on the path....
Peter Kohler
Washington DC USA