Brompton owners

Nothing folds as small, as quick etc

I’d consider a 3 speed with lowered gearing... Brompton offer 50t and 44t x 13t

Depending on individual could go 39x14 for example!

2 speed mech is a bit faff,3 speed is reliable, simple and easy to work with.

As they'd need decent gearing for their aging body is sensible options, so is the 6 speed the most sensible buy? I know they're a bit heavier, but the 3 speed seems pointless as it's basically the weight of the 6 speed but less gears.

Brompton's are convenient, but not as efficient as a full size bike. In a camper van with sufficient storage I would also consider a Moulton which separates to stow.

The 3-speed Brompton can be geared pretty low and is more reliable than the 6-speed versions. If you order it with 44t chainwheel and 14t sprocket option: ratios 39.0", 52.0", 69.3",

it is then cheap to raise the rear sprocket to 15t (the Brompton manual says this is allowed, and I use this fine): ratios 36.4", 48.5" 64.7";

Finally a smaller chainwheel like 40t takes it a further step lower (H&H make an aftermarket one that has a built in trouser guard): ratios 33.1", 44.1", 58.8". Two chain links would need to be removed.

The last option yields gentler hill climbing, but they will be freewheeling downhill.

Cheers for the low gearing suggestions. I never thought of that and you're right the 2 speed mech is a bit of a faff.

I'll have a look at Moulton. I guess they'll all be much of a muchness in terms of weight.

I was out on the Brompton (3 speed) today, because too hungover to be on the fixie. An old fella in full MAMIL on an expensive road bike was catching up with me at junctions for a bit and eventually, at a junction with a long light cycle, started chatting to me about Bromptons. He said he admired my turn of speed on the Brompton and he also owned one but he had a 6 speed. and felt he needed it. I said "Isn't the 6 speed thing a bit fiddly, with the two shifters?" and he said "Yeah, but I'm an old fella and I just need those 6 gears". So there's one data point.

(This is not a boast post, he was an old fella and I was racing between BTOB tags to avoid being tagzumped)

How experienced a cyclist is your relative? On the whole, I'd say the Brompton is just a solid piece of engineering that mostly makes life simpler than any other folder, but if they're not an experienced cyclist I'd definitely agree with @R.hobbs and say go for a lower-geared 3 speed, because the 6 speed is just going to defeat a lot of people and effectively become just a 3 speed for them. So they'll have paid more for a more complicated bike that they don't use properly. OTOH, if they're a seasoned cyclist, they won't find the two shifter thing a problem and the 6 gears really do seem to make a difference to some old knees.

I'll have a look at Moulton. I guess they'll all be much of a muchness in terms of weight.

Moulton TSR's will be heavier (like a steel Brompton 6-speed), but more affordable. The original AM's are now much more expensive and only offer one tyre in their 17" size. The New Series is priced as a piece sculpture rather than a practical bicycle.

I have a M6R-X with BWR because I can.

Still one of my favourite bikes that I use most and yeah, why not?

Brompton is all about convenience, if you want performance then it's not for you.

I have 3 Brompton - M1E, M3L and the above M6R-X.

Love them to bits M3 is with my mom half the world away but I'll use it when I'm home.

Oh yeah, building another one! ;)

How experienced a cyclist is your relative?

Not very. And they're a bit of a technophobe and old hippy. But they're healthy. I guess in terms of weight I'm thinking about my experience lugging it in/out cars, stairs, through a stupid security door, etc. all without a locking rear. If it's just being lifted up/down a step or stowed in a side store box it's not that bad.

I think the 3 speed will be simpler. I've only ever ridden 6 speeds (S and M) and TBH I found them confusing at times and unintuitive. Although after serving my dad's RD, cables and going to town on the shifter with brake cleaner and silicone lube it was much better.

Although it's a big outlay even 2nd hand, the number of accessories is another selling point.

I think on balance I'm going to suggest a Brompton. Should also check what their camper is.

Thanks everyone, it's been really useful.

I’d encourage him to try them out- particularly the different handlebars etc.

I had an old Sturmey archer M with rubbish old side pull brakes and a soft rear suspension block and I found it horrible to ride- wallowy, flexy and power sappy.

Now I have a 2 speed Ti S with a firm rear suspension and I actually love riding it! I didn’t think I’d like a 2 speed but in London it works out really nicely- one gear for pressing on and another for hills and bumbling. The reduction in weight has made a huge difference in useability- I’ll happily carry it around in shops etc.

To paraphrase Sir Steve Redgrave, if I ever decide to convert another Brompton to fixed, someone please shoot me.

To say this was a mission is an understatement, but I’m indebted to @Littlepixel and @danstuff for their help and advice, and it rides soooo much better than stock. The 56/12 is a little short on the GIs, but I can live with it for now.

If anyone wants pointers I’m happy to advise, as hopefully you can learn from my mistakes!

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To say this was a mission is an understatement

pls elaborate

also those tyres under guards! Never seen before, would work with brake?

New Urbans are smaller to work with guards

Yes, these are the Conti Urbans which I had to bend the mudguard stays straighter to get the clearance but it’s all good now.

With regards to the mission, try not ordering a single fixed Phil hub first time around (because the non drive side flange gets fouled by the chain stay). THAT was an expensive mistake.

Also, a lot of filing and messing with the tensioner to get it all to fit.

And getting the gearing right because even with a half link, the tension must be just right so the tensioner doesn’t flick up and hit the stay.

Yes, will work with brake.

And getting the gearing right because even with a half link, the tension must be just right so the tensioner doesn’t flick up and hit the stay.

That looks very neat. What will happen when the chain elongates as it wears, will this cause problems with the tensioner?

Currently when the tensioner engages, it’s still very minimal movement, maybe still an inch away from the stay. I guess if it gets too bad, I could remove a link to take up the slack. I’m currently considering the benefits of adapting a Surly Singleator as it would be tidier and you can adjust the jockey wheel chainline more easily.

Okay, I dug into the shed today to get some parts for a bike build... the Brompton parts have been really stacking up...

Frame parts, forks, triangles and I think 1/2 stems, come on... message me to clear this pile!

Any kinetics triangles with integrated rack? long shot..

Sorry nope!

Classifieds>>>>>>>

Anyone gone from s bars (Kuosac flat) to Kuosac- Mid Rise. I don’t use my 2 speed Brompton lots but yesterday it felt much nicer with less of my weight on the front so maybe a mid rise. Is changing cables a pain ? Quite happy spannering on a normal bike but Bromptons irrationally spook me.

Anyone gone from s bars to Kuosac- Mid Rise.

Me. Ryan did it all for me, they are great.

I've got a couple of brompton bits up for sale in this clearout thread, seatposts and handlebars. PM if you need them
https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/349790/

also what was the conclusion on the electric brompton thing?
Have a friend of the missus who is asking about them.

Don't recall there being a conclusion. Hobo and c4shr have seen poor reliability with the official eBrompton, R.hobbs was surprised by that and said he wouldn't trust any of the third party mods. Don't think a consensus emerged, probably insufficient data.

I’m currently considering the benefits of adapting a Surly Singleator as it would be tidier and you can adjust the jockey wheel chainline more easily.

Ben Cooper of Kinetics did something similar to enable the back-pedal gear change and braking on a Duomatic hub (SA redux version, I think):
https://www.kinetics-online.co.uk/folding-bikes/brompton/cableless-brompton/

It looks like a modified 3rd party tensioner for the Brompton (he says "The tensioner is reinforced, and it moves up to hit a stop when back-pedalling"), but I cannot work out what the white rod is for on top of the right-hand chain stay.