Brompton owners

Basic advice from me; dynamo is great because it's always there. No need to consider charging or forgetting to put lights on and for the short period I owned some, I didn't personally notice a lot, if really any, extra resistance but didn't have another Brompton to do a side by side comparison. I used a dynamo on a second hand Brompton I purchased, so can't comment on cost unfortunately. The main con I found is that they're a considerable amount dimmer than rechargeable lights available. I currently have the Brompton 500 lumen (rechargeable) front light (made by CatEye I think) and it's super bright with great range. I use my bike 4 - 5 days a week and on full power mode I find myself charging it a lot through, say every 4 days, which can get annoying. Obviously blinking setting would be much longer but I'm not really a fan of using that myself. Guess it depends on your commute route and length. If my route was short but no that well lit, I'd probably go for the rechargeable option, if it was the other way around I'd probably go with the dynamo. Just my take.

I cycle for around 45 minutes to 1 hour each day for reference.

D-dog, that’s super useful and wise advice! …. Much appreciated

coyote zeitgest maybe? https://builtbyswift.com/shop/zeitgeist-pack/

Yes 100% worth it. Never have to think about getting caught in the rain, dark, cold without lights.

I’ve had various hubs from SON (expensive, very nice), JTek (similar to many others, what in use now) and Shimano (higher end alfine, fine but looked chunky). I’d go with whatever fits your budget but 100% go for it. SJS usually have a good selection at different price points, or could build up a wheel to your spec as needed

So helpful! Thanks

Just researching, would you have a suggestion seeing as I’m on a budget, or any links? I’ve emailed my LBS down in Brighton and see what they say, and have emailed SJS…. Anyway all advice super gratefully appreciated

This is the standard bromton set up with everything you need for wheel and lights for £175 https://brilliantbikes.co.uk/-brompton-hub-dynamo-lighting/3244-brompton-sp-sv-8-hub-dynamo-kit.html

SP hubs are generally seen as good value. Not user serviceable (but none are really) but I’ve not had any trouble. Often seem to get rebranded too so there’s a few variants all very similar.

I wasn’t a huge fan of the standard bromton front light, but mainly based on looks than function so I used a supernova Pure3 as it was slightly smaller. But the rear light wasn’t as good in a bromton, so compromised there.

Lots of suggestions for Dynamo stuff in this thread too: https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/159454/?offset=4850#comment17386744

Bromptons don’t need specific items but it’s worth paying attention to the hight if the front light so it doesn’t hit the bag. Some larger lights might be a close fit when loaded up fully.

Not user serviceable (but none are really)

I have managed to successfully rebuild an Alfine (I believe) dyno hub. And I do mean ‘rebuild’ it, all the way down to respooling the wire coil inside. This wouldn’t be feasible for the majority of home mechanics, and shop mechanics couldn’t justify the time it takes. However, it is doable. In contrast, SP suck in that they are designed not to be serviceable except with a very precise jig (well, that, and they have one of the highest drag coefficients). The hub is two shells pressed together*, and a disc-shaped magnet just barely fits under the seam where they meet. Taking it apart isn’t difficult, but getting it back together accurately is a pain.

*editing to clarify that the hubs I’ve done are press and twist, not just pressed.

Thanks so much

Super helpful

This is so good but mega $€$¥ …. Not sure I can justify it

That’s probably the entry price for a new wheel and lights I’m afraid, unless you look second hand but second hand Dynamo only bromton wheels may be harder to find as it seems most people choose which way they’d go and then stick with it (unlike full size wheels where there may be more swapping and changing)

so, who copped the Palace brompton?

Too meh for moi.

Saw someone riding one of these yesterday and (until now) assumed from the lack of a normal sticker it was an Ali Express copy with a dodgy paint job.

a load of resellers if this ebay listing and the seven or eight others currently up are anything to go by
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/296439423467?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=HnZzmuSqRy-&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=eTz5XuWuTKa&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Thanks, that makes sense

Spot on. It's such a let down paint job in my opinion, with the Palace x EF Education colabs in mind.

No problem!

Please talk to me about seatpost sleeves.
General view is get a proper service agent to do it, yes?
And there's only one bit at the top of the seat tube isn't there? So why are sleeves sold in pairs?

They must have tried unbelievably hard to make it that bland.

I had to get mine replaced last year. I looked into doing it myself and quickly realised that it was a lot easier (and cheaper) to get a Brompton specialist to do it.

Guess the components are so good value, it’s better to send both than deal with returns for the different frames?

I’m about to replace a long overdue sleeve this weekend, will let you know if I uncork a wide-awake-nightmare

It’s easy, don’t believe the propaganda. The one thing you’ll need a specialist for is the reamer, and you can buy pre-reamed sleeves.

They’re sold in pairs because they’re cheap to manufacture, and one version (post 2014) has a (tab) that engages on a hole in the frame; whereas the other (pre 2014) does not. An observant eye will note that the latter have marks betraying how the tabs are ground off at the factory, so they don’t even bother having two molds, they just belt sand half of the sleeves.

(Remembered the word)

Didn't know pre-reamed sleeves are on the market. Good knowledge!

If you do go that route be sure that the reamed hole is concentric before you install it: if the ream is off-centre you may have to replace it again prematurely.