[CLIVE FENNER]

I want to change a traditional 4 speed S.A. gear lever on my f frame deluxe to something a bit more modern. I have seen 5 & 3 speed levers on E Bay, but not 4 speed.
Any suggestions ?

[david james]

the three speed trigger will work fine with the 4 speed using 2,3 and 4th gears, but i understand the newer 5 speed will not work with the old 4 speed.on the 4 speeds i used there doesn’t seem to be much advantage as first gear seems to be very low and 2nd about the same as 1st on a 3 speed.maybe a twist grip as a three speed? someone did answer why you can’t use a 5 trigger on and old 4 speed hub on this forum in great detail a few months back

[Bruce]

the 4s gear ratios are
0.667, 0.787, 1.000, 1.276.

SA 3s ratios (AW hub) are 0.75, 1.000, 1.333

The 4s hub offers closer spaced gear ratios and a wider range.

Arguably the best thing you can do with a 4s hub is to convert it to a 5s hub, which isn’t that difficult to do.

If you simply don’t like the look of your 4s trigger, I’d suggest that you simply move it so that it is underneath the handlebar; if you do this right it’ll be out of the way and it’ll be easier to use as well; win-win.

Modern SA shifters may look pretty but they are, functionally speaking, a step backwards in most cases.

cheers

[Author]

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