Sturmey-Archer
From Free net encyclopedia
Sturmey-Archer is a manufacturing company from Nottingham, England. They primarily produce bicycle hub gears but have also produced motorcycle hubs.
The company was founded in 1902 by Henry Sturmey and James Archer under the guidance of Frank Bowden (from who's name the term 'Bowden cable' originates) the primary owner of the Raleigh bicycle company. They originally produced hubs for three-speed bicycles designed by Raleigh, but in 1939 a four speed model was developed. This led to the development of temperamental 5 speed models, and by 1994, 7 speed hubs were introduced. The Sturmey-Archer name was also credited with the 49cc two-stroke engine fitted to early Raleigh mopeds, although it has been documented that these engines were actually made by BSA Motorcycles.
In 2000, Sturmey-Archer was sold to Sun Race Sturmey-Archer Inc. and operations were moved to Taiwan.