Forum | Chain Tugs

Post edited 4:03 pm — Apr 18, 2010 by Duchy Wheeler

Good evening one and all,

I have tried fitting these tugs on my ‘three speeder’, but there’s a problem. The thickness of the tug where it fits around the rear axle on the chain side moves the Surmey Archer nut and toggle chain further out, see my post in ‘The Public House’ — ‘Three speed operating cable’, unfortunately this exacerbates the problem identfied with the gear operating cable. It’s a pity because I did like the idea.

On a positive note, I also put the newly acquired Pashley wingnuts (à la Plus Four) on the front axle and they do look the business.

Safe riding, Geoff Baker.

Morgan.….….the amount is 4mm, which doesn’t seem much but it will exacerbate the operating cable issue. Because the cable is unsheathed it runs in a straight line from the base of the seat tube to the toggle chain, I have used a cable tie on the chainstay, about 6″ from the axle, to move the cable inboard. Maybe a better way would be to replace with a sheathed cable together with suitable SA fulrum clips?.….……safe riding one and all, Geoff ‘Duchy Wheeler’.

Pete,

I have some of these chain tugs , but haven’t found the need to use them yet on my 3 speeder.

I can’t see why they shouldn’t do the trick and I will fit them if and when axle security and chain tension become an issue. I take it that you have slackened off the brake torque arm before alinging the rear axle? The tug will move the SA toggle chain and cable outward, see above post, so the gear operating cable will need adjusting.

For paint touch-up I would recommend ‘Japlac’ jet black.

Safe rides one and all, Geoff.

My experience of fitting this chain tug is as follows (one in photo from Charlie’s);

1) it doesnt fit without some mods– in my opinion.

2) mods are as follows (in my experience),

3) I found if I fitted it as per photos i.e. on the outside of the chain stay then, it forced the anti-rotation washer’s tabs on that side to bend ‘out’ towards the sprocket (potentially comprimising the efficacy of said washer??)

4) I had to file the forward portion of the tug (the bit of the tug that sits in the dropout) so the anti-rotation washer had some purchase, as well as filing the little of the bit of the tug that sits aft of the axle (but not as mnuch as forard).

5) it all seems to work and I found it easier to adjust the chain and have had no ‘slippage’ since.

Please do not consider my word as gospel as I may have got all a bit ‘Betty Grable’ but you may want to just relook at your anti-rotation washer on the side that you fit the tug, I guess that would be the chain side (at least there is one on the other side )

Any one who has fitted said tug had similar experience?

I too sometimes dislike asymmetry - that said it adds a certain balance as I now have the 3 speed changer on the left bar, ‘upside down’, chromey bit showing. I find it easier to change gear when ‘making progress’. I’m guessing from your post your riding one of those rather agricultural Luddite single speed Johnny’s

I fear I should have explained myself thus;

The anti-rotation washers are on the new fangled 3 speed hub. They are little washers either side of the hub, inboard of frame stays that have little ‘ears’ that locate in the dropout. The washer itself has an elongated hole which matches the shape of the axle. leave these off at your peril. Or your axle and hub may resemble some sort of road accident (so may you).

As said elsewhere — sometimes leaping aboard a machine as complicated as a three speeder no matter how  can befuddle one’s senses.

Sorry.….…

Hi Chaps,

My 3 speed has tugs fitted, I found early on that my wheel would slip usually on a climb which was most offputting .…. & I am glad I did as I now run a 14 tooth sprocket & have some serious torque going on.

I did have to modify my tugs a little though not as much as mentioned above … the tugs I managed to get hold of are made by DMR who are well respected in the in jump bike fraternity .… the only mod I had to make was drilling out the hole for the axle a little, the spiggot that sits in the dropout is quite shallow so it does not foul the washer and even though the axle nut is  roughly spaced by 3mm it still changes gear perfectly (and one can still see the end of the axle through the sight hole for adjustment).

My only drawback is that the threaded rods do not look as good quality as the tugs pictured above, but when I find some good stainless studding on my travels they will be easily replaced.

Had my first puncture today by the way … 3 minutes 47 seconds to repair .…. all this talk of lengthy repairs had me curious you see, & I really don’t see what all the fuss is about .

TTFN Folks.

Duchy Wheeler said:

One & All,

These could be just the ticket for the 3 speed Guv’nor.….…

eBay item:  280681612375

Safe rides.

DW.

Pur~chased.…. many thanks DW

MGcC