Iconic British brand's new bike hub provides automatic gear shifts 

Iconic British brand's new bike hub provides automatic gear shifts 

SunRace Sturmey-Archer's A2 hub features auto shifting with options for rim, disc, coast and drum brakes

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Published: June 10, 2025 at 3:00 pm

SunRace Sturmey-Archer has released the new A2 two-speed rear hub, featuring automatic shifting and four braking options.

The A2 doesn’t require a shifter on the bar, meaning it should make for a low-maintenance solution for those seeking simple and efficient shifting on their commuter bikes.

A new kids’ version of the hub has also been released, so young riders can concentrate on pedalling rather than shifting gears.

Sturmey Archer A2 disc brake
Sturmey-Archer says the disc brake variant is for modern bikes requiring powerful and precise stopping performance. Sunrace Sturmey Archer

Sturmey-Archer is well known for its internal gear hubs, creating its first in 1902 and being bought by SunRace in 2000.

Many riders choose internal gear hubs because they generally require less maintenance compared to derailleur setups, due to the mechanism being protected from the elements.

Sturmey-Archer says the A2 has a gear ratio of 138 per cent and changes gear based on the RPM of the rear wheel.

Sturmey Archer A2 drumbrake
The brand says drum brakes are durable and dependable, even in wet-weather conditions. Sunrace Sturmey Archer

For a 28in wheel, the hub will shift into the low gear at approximately 14.6km/h and shift into the high gear at 19.4km/h.

There are four braking options available for the A2 hub, with rim, disc, coast and drum brakes all supported, making it compatible with a wide range of bikes.

Sturmey Archer A2 Compact
The compact kids' version is said to be developed especially for a freewheel mechanism, so there is no coaster brake available. Sunrace Sturmey Archer

SunRace Sturmey-Archer has yet to confirm pricing, but we can expect to see the hubs roll out as OEM parts on commuter bikes soon.