![]() |
Later in the day is also a time to see birds and animals you might not see earlier in the day. This Great Blue Heron is a common, albeit large, bird we have here in New England.
![]() |
Later in the day is also a time to see birds and animals you might not see earlier in the day. This Great Blue Heron is a common, albeit large, bird we have here in New England.
The Bike Shed is on Facebook now as well. You can find the Bike Shed Facebook page HERE.
The Facebook page is a second way to get information about vintage bicycles from the Bike Shed.
The vast majority of Sturmey Archer hubs in the USA are common models: AW, TCW, SC3, etc. The early, rare hubs generally show up in the UK. So I was surprised that while browsing eBay, I found a listing (not mine) for a rare hub: the Model "A". This hub should not be confused with the AW, AB, AG, etc. This is just the "A". The listing is a reminder that there are many, lesser-known Sturmey Archer hubs from the early days that we really don't see in the United States today.
Made between 1914 and 1916, this hub was not produced in very large numbers due to its short production run and the start of the First World War. It had a short production run during which Sturmey Archer also focused on war production for the First World War. After the war, the more common Model K hub replaced the A.
![]() |
Courtesy of Sturmey Archer Heritage |
Most of Raleigh and Sturmey Archer production switched to war-time equipment by 1916.
![]() |
Courtesy of Sturmey Archer Heritage |
As of June 2025, the Model A hub is still for sale on eBay. If you're a Sturmey Archer collector in the USA and you want an unusual hub for your collection, the Model A is definitely one to consider.
![]() |
Courtesy of eBay Listing |
![]() |
Courtesy of eBay Listing |
![]() |
Courtesy of eBay Listing |
More information is available on the Sturmey Archer Heritage webpage.
The Model A had gear ratios somewhat different, but still similar to what most of us are used to in the AW hub and its close cousins. The Model A has a reduction of 23.8% in low, 1:1 normal, and an increase of 31.25% in high.
![]() |
Courtesy of Sturmey Archer Heritage |
Today this would be unacceptable in a mass-produced consumer bike for safety reasons. But in the early days of roadsters, it was common practice to ride a frame that would be "too tall" for the rider today. The extended axle nut offers a foot peg whereby the rider kicks the bicycle into motion with one foot, sets the other foot on the peg, and then swings over the top and onto the saddle in a single motion.
Advertising of the time did not generally call out the "Model A" hub, but referred to it more in the traditional way as the "Sturmey Archer gears" or "Sturmey Archer hub".
![]() |
1916 British Ad Courtesy of Sturmey Archer Heritage |
Yet even in the 1910s, the Sturmey Archer tri-coaster received more press in the USA than did the Model A, such being the preference of American cyclists for a coaster over hand brakes.
![]() |
1915 American Ad Courtesy of Sturmey Archer Heritage |