Fyx Tech: SRAM I-Motion 3 Speed Internal Gear Setup

We love building custom bikes, but each custom comes with a learning curve.  This Quiver cafe build is outfitted with SRAM's I-motion 3 internal hub. This hub is a terrific option to add a few gears to your build. It's affordable and simple to use. The kit includes SRAM's 3-speed twist shifter, hub, cable and cable housing. Setup is pretty straight forward, but we'll break it down for you here.

Available for purchase here:

SPECS:

Gearing: 3-speed, 186% range 

Hub Versions: Freewheel or Coaster Brake available

Hub Spacing (OLD): 130 mm

Axle: M10 x 1.0

Dropout Width(min / max): 4mm / 8mm

Spoke count: 28 / 32 / 36

Weight: 1120g

MSRP: $113

Technical data via SRAM Install Manual 

ASSEMBLY

Step 1: Build your wheel

We chose the 36 hole version of the hub and laced it 3-cross for a very strong rear wheel that will handle loaded panniers and city streets nicely.

Step 2: Assemble the bits

The hub comes without the dust cover, sprocket and cable stop bracket installed.

• Slide the dust cover onto the hub with the curved portion facing outward.
• Slide the sprocket onto the driver so that the splines engage the driver fully. The sprocket can be assembled with the curved portion inward or outward. Choose the orientation that best matches the chainline of your bicycle. The more common installation is with the curved section inward.
• Install the snap ring making sure the ring is fully engaged into the groove.
• Slide on the cable stop bracket onto the axle. If you have the coaster brake version, orient the cable stop bracket so that it is facing the same direction as the coaster brake arm on the non-drive side of the hub.
• Slide the washer with rubber insert over the axle to secure the cable stop. 

Step 3: Assemble the wheel to the bike

• Slide your wheel into your dropout and attach your chain. 
• Install the axle washer with the serrations pointed inward towards your frame 
• Orient the cable stop bracket so that it is parallel with the chain stay.
• Tension your chain, install the axle nuts and tighten the to 266-350 in-lb (30 - 40 Nm)

Step 4: Install the shifter

• Slide the shifter on to the handlbar until it is flush with your brake lever.
• Tighten using a 2.5 mm hex wrench to tighten the pinch bolt. SRAM recommends a torque of 15 in-lbs (1.7Nm)

Step 5: Install the cable to the bike

Depending on your frame there are a few ways to do this. The key is to make sure the cable housing is attached securely to the frame. You can use your cable guides if they are in a position that accommodates the cable routing needed. The hub comes with enough cable and housing to run a fully housed cable from the shifter to the hub. This is installation we chose. We secured the housing to the frame using a combination of cable clamps and zip-tie clamps.

 Step 6: Cut the cable and housing to length

• Position your housing such that you have a gentle bend at the handlebar and insure you have enough of a housing loop such that the handlebars can rotate freely from one extreme to the other. The housing should not be pulled tight throughout the bars range of motion.
• Align the cable to cable stop on the rear hub and mark the housing to cut it to the proper length. 
• IMPORTANT: The cable, housing and cable clamp are pre-installed. In order to cut the housing to the proper length you'll need to remove the cable clamp. The distance between the cable housing end and the cable clamp is important so measure the distance which was pre-set by SRAM before proceeding. Ours was set to 20mm. 
• Remove the cable clamp and slide the cable housing far enough along the cable so as not to shorten the cable when you make your cut. Cut the cable housing at your mark.Clean the cut end and slide the housing back into its operational position.

Step 7: Install the cable clamp