Dear Brompton Guy, Thanks for this video. I’m 78 and still do a lot of cycling. I just bought a used 6 speed Brompton that was built in 2006. I took it to a Brompton recommended bike mechanic for a good going over. I also asked him to do with this bike, one of the things you did in this video. You changed the chain ring on a 20 year old Brompton from the original 52 tooth to a 40t. The “Brompton mechanic” I went to refused to do that because he couldn’t get a smaller chainring from Brompton. He said if he did install an off brand he would need to put in one made in China, and I would not be happy with it. I want the smaller ring because I live in the hills of Northern Kentucky. Your video convinced me I would be happy with a new, smaller chainring. Could you please let me know how to obtain a 40t chain ring for my Brompton? Even a 39t would be appreciated. I would either find another mechanic to do the job, or maybe ask you for more specific tips on how to do it myself. I would need to invest in a couple of tools, but with some good advice, I think I could get it done. Keep in mind that I would be almost as happy with a chainring with a chain guard as one without. My long term goal is to regularly ride the bike on a 22 mile loop down to the Ohio River from my house and back home. I would need to push the bike for a few miles with the stock 52t chainring. I don’t like to push! I also want to ride the Brompton up the Ohio to Erie Trail. A fairly new Rail to Trail of 326 miles from the Ohio River to Lake Erie, on the north side of the state of Ohio. Oh, one more ride: I want to do a 30 mile ride from my house to the “Brompton Bike mechanic’s” shop so I can show him how “unhappy” I am with my new chainring! Thanks Paul Buelterman Florence, Kentucky 513-376-2887
I am surprised you did not notice that the stem size is longer for flat bars. Brompton handlebars are designed to make the basic modular frame suitable for short to tall people and the handlebar / stem set up is there to offer as well as seat post a Brompton to cater for the size range of adults.
I've heard that the rear triangle can be hard to take off and fit new bushings and bolts. What was your experience with it, especially a near 20 year old Brompton? Nice work on the video.
Maybe I got lucky or just had the perfect tools but mine was bliss. Definitely needed a good clean and degrease but managed to also reuse the hardware fine. However as stated these bolts really do need loctite. Thanks for watching and supporting. Dave
You put standard brake levers on, which impede the fold. I notice you also have the bars rotated forwards. Do you actually fold your handlebars?? Did you fit a quick release to the handlebar clamp in order to adjust the bars after unfolding? I bought a new 3 speed Brompton in 1997 and have just fitted an 8 speed hub. I intend to make some other upgrades and seeing you remove and refit the frame pivot, I am tempted to repaint the frame (although the paint is tough as nails and doesn’t need it). I also have a 6 speed Brompton and, like you, am not looking forward to a rear wheel puncture!
All of your notices are correct! It does still fold but have to pull the handlebars back. However this bike honestly never really travels far and now if i fold the bars just let em hang loose.
Did you change the main frame hinge pins ? Or are they still the original 20 year old pins ? I don’t mean the rear triangle pins but the main frame and stem hinge pins. There are 3( 6mm, 6.1 and 6.35 mm).
Unsure of the exact question but yes a Brompton can be rode in any country. If your questions is can the chainring and gearing be changed around to the opposite side I suppose the answer is yes but you would need to be one amazing metal fabricator cause it would be a massive undertaking and probably the only one in the world. Hope that helps. Dave
It sems that at least some triangles now have bolt for the fitting, instead of the absurd - and very English way of making things "Special" (my first and only English car, an absolutely, horrible "produced" new 1966 Mini, had the battery PLUS to its frame! But I'm sure they had a (bad) reason for this, as for driving in the wrong direction on the roads, when people in the vicinity all drove wright (Sorry Sweden and latest, now only Ireland! But they are excused, though still a member of the EU!)). During my first visit to The UK, I nearly tumbled, because the train took off in the wrong direction, to what I expected! But I did see that at least British Rail now use sane Kilometer for distances 😄. Finn. Denmark
I have seen the proper method for changing the bolts on the back-triangle here, as a film from a - bike shop, and I have a "titanium middle part" ready, for an eventual coming change (Extra thin in the middle, for less weight)! I have looked for a titanium or - carbon stem post for my now, just below 9 kilo and highly modified, 2019 SuperlightM6LXBrompton, with mudguards! But still it is so expensive to buy an old timer, version stem from China, that I hardly find it worth the money to obtain that extra and very small weight loss? As it also needs to be "Flame Painted", as on my original post. They may not be able to hit the exact color? I still think 9 kilo is a fine weight to have reached! As an old man of 75, I have had ordinary racing bikes weighing more than that (Also a 6,8 kilo bike)😄!! Finn. Denmark
Thanks for the in depth comment again Finn!! I would love if you could share a picture of your bike with the email attached to my RUclips. As always thanks for the support Dave
Dear Brompton Guy, Thanks for this video. I’m 78 and still do a lot of cycling. I just bought a used 6 speed Brompton that was built in 2006. I took it to a Brompton recommended bike mechanic for a good going over. I also asked him to do with this bike, one of the things you did in this video. You changed the chain ring on a 20 year old Brompton from the original 52 tooth to a 40t. The “Brompton mechanic” I went to refused to do that because he couldn’t get a smaller chainring from Brompton. He said if he did install an off brand he would need to put in one made in China, and I would not be happy with it.
I want the smaller ring because I live in the hills of Northern Kentucky. Your video convinced me I would be happy with a new, smaller chainring.
Could you please let me know how to obtain a 40t chain ring for my Brompton? Even a 39t would be appreciated. I would either find another mechanic to do the job, or maybe ask you for more specific tips on how to do it myself. I would need to invest in a couple of tools, but with some good advice, I think I could get it done. Keep in mind that I would be almost as happy with a chainring with a chain guard as one without.
My long term goal is to regularly ride the bike on a 22 mile loop down to the Ohio River from my house and back home. I would need to push the bike for a few miles with the stock 52t chainring. I don’t like to push! I also want to ride the Brompton up the Ohio to Erie Trail. A fairly new Rail to Trail of 326 miles from the Ohio River to Lake Erie, on the north side of the state of Ohio.
Oh, one more ride: I want to do a 30 mile ride from my house to the “Brompton Bike mechanic’s” shop so I can show him how “unhappy” I am with my new chainring!
Thanks
Paul Buelterman
Florence, Kentucky
513-376-2887
I am surprised you did not notice that the stem size is longer for flat bars. Brompton handlebars are designed to make the basic modular frame suitable for short to tall people and the handlebar / stem set up is there to offer as well as seat post a Brompton to cater for the size range of adults.
It’s because when I first went to test cycle a Brompton the guy told me they were just the same 🫣. To trusting lol
A Chain pusher cable and set up video would be GREAT ! I'm useless at it
I've missed the boat on this because it's now been converted to the M line now. But if I get another used Brompton ill be sure to cover it.
Another great video ❤
Thank you for the continued support friend 😬
Nice kettlebell
Always knew the kettlebell was a multiple functional tool! p.s love my kettlebell collection 🤪
I've heard that the rear triangle can be hard to take off and fit new bushings and bolts. What was your experience with it, especially a near 20 year old Brompton? Nice work on the video.
Maybe I got lucky or just had the perfect tools but mine was bliss. Definitely needed a good clean and degrease but managed to also reuse the hardware fine. However as stated these bolts really do need loctite. Thanks for watching and supporting. Dave
You put standard brake levers on, which impede the fold. I notice you also have the bars rotated forwards. Do you actually fold your handlebars?? Did you fit a quick release to the handlebar clamp in order to adjust the bars after unfolding?
I bought a new 3 speed Brompton in 1997 and have just fitted an 8 speed hub. I intend to make some other upgrades and seeing you remove and refit the frame pivot, I am tempted to repaint the frame (although the paint is tough as nails and doesn’t need it).
I also have a 6 speed Brompton and, like you, am not looking forward to a rear wheel puncture!
All of your notices are correct! It does still fold but have to pull the handlebars back. However this bike honestly never really travels far and now if i fold the bars just let em hang loose.
Did you change the main frame hinge pins ? Or are they still the original 20 year old pins ? I don’t mean the rear triangle pins but the main frame and stem hinge pins. There are 3( 6mm, 6.1 and 6.35 mm).
To my knowledge still original!! But still operate as expected 👌
Can Bromptons be driven in left hand drive countries?? Can it be converted?
Unsure of the exact question but yes a Brompton can be rode in any country. If your questions is can the chainring and gearing be changed around to the opposite side I suppose the answer is yes but you would need to be one amazing metal fabricator cause it would be a massive undertaking and probably the only one in the world. Hope that helps. Dave
@@TheBromptonGuy I was just trying to be funny 😣, I spoke of the cycle as if it were a right hand drive 🚗. Great work, new subscriber here!!!
@@Ivandrago89that’s exactly what I thought 😂 thanks for supporting 🎉
It sems that at least some triangles now have bolt for the fitting, instead of the absurd - and very English way of making things "Special" (my first and only English car, an absolutely, horrible "produced" new 1966 Mini, had the battery PLUS to its frame! But I'm sure they had a (bad) reason for this, as for driving in the wrong direction on the roads, when people in the vicinity all drove wright (Sorry Sweden and latest, now only Ireland! But they are excused, though still a member of the EU!)). During my first visit to The UK, I nearly tumbled, because the train took off in the wrong direction, to what I expected! But I did see that at least British Rail now use sane Kilometer for distances 😄. Finn. Denmark
lol yeah British trains are pretty special 🤣. We like to make things different and less efficient but maybe always good quality 🤷♂️
I have seen the proper method for changing the bolts on the back-triangle here, as a film from a - bike shop, and I have a "titanium middle part" ready, for an eventual coming change (Extra thin in the middle, for less weight)!
I have looked for a titanium or - carbon stem post for my now, just below 9 kilo and highly modified, 2019 SuperlightM6LXBrompton, with mudguards! But still it is so expensive to buy an old timer, version stem from China, that I hardly find it worth the money to obtain that extra and very small weight loss? As it also needs to be "Flame Painted", as on my original post. They may not be able to hit the exact color?
I still think 9 kilo is a fine weight to have reached! As an old man of 75, I have had ordinary racing bikes weighing more than that (Also a 6,8 kilo bike)😄!! Finn. Denmark
Thanks for the in depth comment again Finn!! I would love if you could share a picture of your bike with the email attached to my RUclips. As always thanks for the support Dave
Cool, now please do mine 🙂👍
lol join the que my friend
Chain pusher cable and set up ! 🤬🤬🤬
You want a separate video on that or you also commenting how annoying the design is 🤣. Thanks for the support Zen
@@TheBromptonGuy Yes indeedy , a separate video would be very helpful 🙌