Vintage Schwinn Bendix 2 Speed Coaster Brake Hub Repack

These rear bike hubs were made for a while in the 1960's by Bendix, then never produced again. They're nicknamed "kickback" hubs because you pedal backwards a couple of inches to change gears, then pedal forward again. They called it an "Automatic" hub. The hub also includes a typical coaster brake. Bendix made a hand lever operated 2 speed before the kickback version. I wanted to include more steps but I had greasy hands...

Update: You can now buy a fairly inexpensive 2 speed kickback hub sold by Sturmey Archer. Just Google it. But they're not made in the USA like the old Bendix's were.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Schwinn
• Bendix
• hub
• bike
• bicycle

[TheE23slack]

I have a schwin stingray automatic 2 speed bike, I need parts for it though like handle bars and pedals.

[therebymorning]

@TheE23slack Try asking someone at "schwinnbikeforum" dot com. Lots of collector folks there now since the forum on the official Schwinn site closed down.

[netmatrix75]

Are coaster hubs still being sold today?

[therebymorning]

@netmatrix75 Yes coaster brake hubs are still very popular

[therebymorning]

Get over to the Schwinn Restoration forum. YouTube won't let me post the link, but it's at Schwinn Bike's official site, under "Heritage", then "Forums". Ask politely and be patient. Some of the guys there know all about these old bikes, and if they don't have the parts to sell you, they know who does have them.

[therebymorning]

The official Schwinn site forums have been closed down. But you can visit "schwinnbikeforum" dot com

[therebymorning]

@danno180 I'm not sure the exact year Schwinn stopped using the 2 speed hubs, but someone on one of the Schwinn sites would know. There are so many old Schwinn wheels still around that I wouldn't be surprised if you found an old wheel installed into a later year Schwinn frame.

[stopglobalswarming]

That nut might be literally welded to the axle. Some coaster brake hubs had one side welded, so the other could be adjusted in the frame, just by loosening the axle nut and making the adjustment, then retightening the axle nut.

[danno180]

You mention that this hub was only made in the 1960's. Do you know if Schwinn continued to use NOS 2 speed kickbacks into the 1970's or about when did they stop using them on their bikes? I recently had a yellow band 2 speed bendix kickback installed on a 1973 Schwinn Speedster camelback frame.

[STR3AK5]

@therebymorning True but i mean what i like about them is that thier oldschool you know and i just like them because i find it more effeciant(idkwhy) haha but yeah

[therebymorning]

@STR3AK5 You would need a rear wheel that has a coaster brake built into the hub. When you backpedal, the brake inside the hub activates. I like coaster brakes but I have to say I feel like I can stop better with caliper (lever type) brakes. Especially around traffic. Coaster brakes are good for slow rides at the park, but they don't stop us big adults very well. And they tend to lock up the rear wheel & skid when you try to stop really fast.