Calling Brompton riders

[SA_SA_SA]

...
I've seen several Brompton-specific gear calculators that give similar (peculiar?) results. AFAICT these calculators (for some reason) use a wheel diameter that is slightly larger than 16". Last time I checked, Brompton tyres were still 1-3/8" (although there are fitments which are not) so the nominal wheel size is still 16".
....

my old 16x1-3/8in kevlar marathon are marked 37-349mm whereas the new greenguard are 35mm by 349:

37 + 37 + 349 = 423mm = 16.7 in

But this never gave the ratios in the old brompton docs (days of model L and T only) but 16.4in does and gives (a non-standard) 46t x13t as 58in.

The tyre compresses a little bit when ridden I suppose....

[UpWrong]

I bought a 3-speed S3L- X with the BSR hub. Didn't have enough gears; range inadequate and gaps too large. Bought the kinetics 8 speed upgrade. Now good range and increments but heavy and in some gears noisy and inefficient. To my mind a folder ought to be light enough to carry around but I find it a bit of a lump.

[pjclinch]

To my mind a folder ought to be light enough to carry around but I find it a bit of a lump

If you're carrying a Brom leave it unfolded, let the back wheel hang (no choice on old ones like mine, but these days unclip the back) and hook the saddle over your shoulder while supporting the frame with your hand on the main tube. Much easier that way, and with the back wheel hanging down actually more manoeuvrable than lugging it folded in many/most situations.

Pete.

[ArMoRothair]

To my mind a folder ought to be light enough to carry around but I find it a bit of a lump

If you're carrying a Brom leave it unfolded, let the back wheel hang (no choice on old ones like mine, but these days unclip the back) and hook the saddle over your shoulder while supporting the frame with your hand on the main tube. Much easier that way, and with the back wheel hanging down actually more manoeuvrable than lugging it folded in many/most situations.

Pete.

Good tip, I must try it

But I get UpWrong's point; the whole raison d'être of a Brompton is to be able to fold it and lift it into trains, car boots, onto shelves and into cupboards.

I had the loan of a S2L for a few months and it convinced me to buy a Brompton. I opted for an M3L thinking the extra gear would be handy - but it does add an extra 500 g to the load, the M handlebars add a touch more, and I really can feel the difference when I lift it onto its shelf at home.

I tested a singlespeed at their Covent Garden shop and I have to say in West End traffic it didn't feel like I was missing anything and it is that bit more portable.

If you are going to have a folding portable bike you may as well have the best folding (Brompton) most portable (single speed S).

[Pneumant]

I really like Bromptons. They are unique and attract attention (outside of London that is) , you will find people wanting to ask you about the bike when parked up. I have an S3L. I considered a 2-speed but the lure of a SA 3-speed hub proved too tempting. I fitted a 14T sprocket which together with a 50t chainring gives 44 / 59 /79 inch gears respectively (about 4" lower than standard). I find this gearing to be fine. I do ride a fixed gear bike and road bikes with heavy gearing so am used to pushing on. Even so I do consider the standard Brom gearing to be too high. My bike was made before the recent chainset/brake lever improvements and as such I have fitted a better (stiffer) chainset & BB together with decent brake levers as I could not live with the horrid std swaged crankset/plastic FAG BB and bendy brake levers. I also fitted a better saddle, SA thumb shifter gear lever and spd pedals. Now it feels and (almost) rides like a regular bike. Ignore all those who say that the bigger 'C' bag won't work on an 'S' - it does without problem. The S type rides so much better than the M, more rigid and less flex. As for rear wheel removal - if you take your time it is not a problem. I would not like to do it on a dark rainy night though! I do recommend that a pair of disposable gloves be carried as it is a filthy task, the Brom transmission is close to the ground and the chain-tensioner especially gets caked in cak

[iow]

S6L owner here. lowered gearing (44T chainring). gaps between the gears are just about acceptable and juggling 2 levers to shift sequentially becomes second nature after 10 mins riding.
bear in mind the Brompton is a bit of a noodle, so treading big gears is best avoided - choose the number and range of gears which you will need - the firm suspension block improves the feel considerably.

[rfryer]

I, too, have an S6L with lowered gearing and firm suspension. I rarely need to use the bottom 2 gears, but it's nice to have them available in emergencies. I've found that since fitting short bar ends, the Brompton is surprisingly happy being wrestled up hills in big gears - but I'm around 11st, bigger riders may not agree!

I've been delighted with the gearing. The gaps are just right for a 6-speed; any larger and I'd be hunting for intermediate gears, any smaller and I'd miss the range. I quickly got comfortable with the two lever setup, and have found the changes to always be quick and reliable.

Gearing on my other bikes includes 2x10, 3x10, and Alfine-11. Compared to these, I really appreciate the snappy shifting of the Brompton, and the clear visibility of what gear I'm in. There are other considerations, of course, like gear range, inter-gear gaps, ease of wheel removal, weight and efficiency - but none of these tend to be an issue for the city riding I normally do on the Brommy.

[lingy]

3-speed here...and find it wonderful...entirely adequate. I would have thought that the gearing requirement is dependent on rider strength/weight and also the terrain that it will generally be used in.
I talk to a lot of people about mine and find a common question is how hard it is to ride small wheels...the answer is not at all as long as you keep the tyre pressures right (as low volume, means fairly frequent checking).
Any doubts on gearing, may be worth visiting a high end Brompton dealer after checking what testers they have available. Cycle Heaven at York station is where mine came from...excellent knowledgable dealer.

[Brucey]

FWIW I think it is worth pointing out that with the 6s system (esp vs a 3s)

a) the 'complicated' shift sequence is no worse (and actually better than) most half-step derailleur setups and
b) you can make a large block shift when stationary using the hub gear
c) it is considerably (about 1kg) lighter in weight vs the alternative IGH gearing systems that offer comparable range/intervals.
d) I think the 6s system also offers more efficient 'most used' gears vs most IGH alternatives
e) the basic reliability of the 3s hub is not affected.
f) there are no additional pulleys vs a standard Brompton drive
g) rear wheel removal is not significantly more complicated than with the 3s hub

In terms of the additional weight required to get the additional 3 gears (over a 3s hub) I think it is a very efficient solution.

Thus if I were buying a Brompton and was torn between the 3s and 6s option, I'd spec the 3s so that I could upgrade easily as and when required.

cheers

[iow]

Thus if I were buying a Brompton and was torn between the 3s and 6s option, I'd spec the 3s so that I could upgrade easily as and when required.

on the other side of the coin, the 3 speed uses a 'standard' ratio hub, but the 6 speed uses the proprietary 'wide' ratio hub - spec'ing the 6 speed from the outset will be cheaper in the long run....

[Brucey]

is it not possible to spec the 3s with the BWR from the outset?

cheers

[bluemootwo]

I have a 12 year old 6 speed and if I was allowed only one bike, this would be it. Love the two triggers, the range is fine (on the London to Brighton I do walk some of the beacon, but so do many others!). Commuting, new forest gravel tracks, day rides, light tours - seems to cope with everything. Utterly reliable too.

[PRL]

I have had a 6 speed for about 12 years.
As a bike it is very useful getting onto trains ad-lib. Agree with comment above about carrying with saddle over shoulder and rear wheel dangling. (There is a difference between train operators about unfolding before getting off the train which is much easier with the front bag fitted so one has a free hand.)
The 2x3 gearing is a bit awkward - I tend to select an appropriate derailer setting then just use the hub gear according to the slope.
Be warned that it will feel wobbly to start off with - one soon adapts and the suspension is great for speed humps.

[rmurphy195]

Mine is a P6R with the smaller chainring.I find the gears easy to use, the lowest is (just!) low enough to get me up the hill to home.

I could do with gears closer together sometimes - like my tourer which has 2 x 8 so I can usually find a gear to suit the conditions - on the Brommie I find I am either going slower in a lower gear than would be ideal, or just find the pedalling too hard.

[iow]

is it not possible to spec the 3s with the BWR from the outset?

cheers

not that i'm aware of - it's not an option on Brompton's online 'bike builder'. also it's not showing on their gear ratio chart.
it may suit some as a 3 speed only, but I think I would find the gaps excessive for comfort.