gear or not to gear?

robdog

New Member
hey guys,im at the tail end of my first build.ive got a 48cc grubee on an electra townie 3speed with coaster brake.my question is,anyway possible to make use of the three gears?it seems like they are inside the hub.it is a shimano hub with a nexus gear system.thanks
 
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To gear or not to gear? That is the question.
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous traffic congestion,
Or to take arms against a sea of DMV laws,
And by opposing end them? To pedal: to coast;
No more; and by a coasting to say we end
The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks of a bad magneto.......


OK, I'll stop.


Gears really do help and is great to have the option. Just my HO
 
To take advantage of the gears, you need a jackshaft kit from SBP. Also I have heard that the cheaper hub gear systems tend to cook when we run them at motorbike speeds, so be careful and happy riding!
 
thanks 4 the advice bro.i will check into the jackshaft after i get this thing broke in,still waiting on my sprocket to be machined. -RISING low-
 
Since there's no hills in Florida who needs gears? Where I live it's pretty flat too. All of my bikes have only one gear, and I don't feel any need to add the complexity of a jackshaft. As it is my bike will do 40 now, and I shouldn't be going over 30. Try and keep this in mind, it's a bicycle.
 
I prefer geared builds to improve acceleration and reduce cruise speed RPM, which is pretty must all you can expect as gearing will not increase "top speed" over a single speed build, provided the finals are the same.

It does add complexity, maintenance & cost, whether it's "worth it" can only be decided by the builder ;)
 
It's a little late for Jackshafting now, you want to do it with a new clean motor before you mount it and the rear sprocket.

Are they worth the extra $200?
Every penny of it, especially on a gutless stock 48cc, you'll beat a stock 66cc direct drive off the line and run with them flat out.

I also prefer internal shifters, just one rear sprocket keeps the chain tight and quite.

I have built a lot of shifters, you can see some of them here.
http://kcsbikes.com/currentBuilds.asp#2-Stroke Shifter

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If you have the budget get an SBP Expansion chamber and Iridium plug as well and you'll leave those stock 66's in your dust.

Zoom Zoom Baby ;-}
 
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robdog- After seeking advice here, I am adding that set up to my Schwinn DelMar from a parts bike.

Nice bikes KC!
 
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