Brompton owners

I’ve got 2 (I think) pedal washers on either side - def makes a difference.

you only get half of the bike .. or a 1/4

Cheers will try that along with the updated wheels. Seems like a pretty big design flaw to me so I hope I can fix it without some monstrous Q factor.

Hi everyone,

I've taken ownership of a fairly well-used 2009 M6 and am looking for a bit of advice.
It needs a few things fixing and upgrading and I've got a few questions.

Firstly, the front wheel looks like it's ready to go- firstly will I die if I keep riding it?
If I do change it, is it worth buying a Superlight front wheel?
Also, is it a stupid idea to upgrade bits on a bike this old? Are there any simple/cheap things to change first?
Thanks for any help.

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Be rid of that.
I'm unable to comment on the superlight wheel.
No previous experience.

Yes.
No.
Upgrade brake levers (not shifters) and grips, replace other stuff as it goes.

100% bin that.

The Brompton superlight no, Sjs one yes. Used a Jtek hub and Brompton rim or cr18. Stock Brompton looseball hubs are trash.

Change the grips to something ergonomic. Keep the tyres to 100psi and replace other bits as required.

The main frame has had changes, but not massive since 2004 so all the modern parts fit.

You have the old style stem/bars. So ideally upgrade to the 2017+ stem and newer bars (Kuosac Mid rise) and then you can fit new brake levers/shifters.

You also have the old style chainset, keep an eye on this, some have failed after lots of use. New one is much better and you can swap rings easy.

Keep an eye on the seat post sleeve - this wears and if you just keep tightening the seat clamp the frame will crack!

The rear hinge - 2mm of play = new one (£20 parts + £20 labour at sjs) some places quote £50+ labour which is FUCKING RIDICULOUS.

Feel free to message if you have any questions, I talk Brompton non stop ... my OH told me off for talking about bikes in my sleep...

Thanks for the advice everyone- just as well I bothered to clean the wheels the other day otherwise I'd never have spotted that!
Is it worth hanging on for Brompton brake levers, or can I stick a pair of flat bar road levers for the same effect?

You can do, but the dimensions don’t fit quite as well, the Brompton levers just seem to be a nicer fit and feel for me! PAUL levers need to go on a bike of mine, but I like the new shifters..

If it’s well worn then you’ll very probably need new chain and sprockets and all cables & outlets replacing. You can get a new rim built on to the existing hub (if the spokes are ok you can re-use them too) - you’ve got the older rims, so for that you’ll need a NOS older rim (think I have one). After that you can spend as much or as little as you like.

Post some pics up so we can give you better pointers for what might need doing to it

Thread on my front hub axle is damaged, it's been a while and I try to be careful un doing it / tightening it, but I'd like to change it. Can it be bought separately?

The rear hinge - 2mm of play = new one (£20 parts + £20 labour at sjs) some places quote £50+ labour which is FUCKING RIDICULOUS.

Bit pissed I don’t live closer to SJS.

Nope, get a Jtek hub / wheel

We can ship a box to you, collect the bike, do the work and ship the bike back for £25.

Many thanks, but more than anything it’s the fact that I can’t do without the bike for more than one day. I commute from Victoria to the other side of Brentford, have taken the train twice in three years and both times I have wanted to kill myself.

A demo bike could be arranged?

Nope, get a Jtek hub / wheel

Then I'll have a mis matching rim front and back and going to rebuild the whole bike...

Anyone with an old front wheel they want to sell? (single wall rim)

So the Ortlieb bag so far has been great for me, but hate carrying it over my shoulder even for the little trip to the platform.
Any suggestion on a backpack that can clip to the brompton? Similar to the backpack Brompton itself uses for the battery on the electrical one, but a bit bigger.
Or even a frame where I can place the backpack.

Something out there?

I probably have a spare rear rim so you can rebuild?

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/brompton-spares-accessories/fahrer-front-rack-for-brompton/

Strap a bag to that?

Feel free to message if you have any questions, I talk Brompton non stop ... my OH told me off for talking about bikes in my sleep...

I have a front wheel, I can grab a few photos later. If interested send a pm over.

Hmm.

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What do you desire?

That bike, but cheaper.

M6L in raw, with mudguards, dynamo lights, Game bag. Seatpost suitable for 187cm